first look at: The Ordinary skincare

2020 has truly become the year of enlightenment in terms of skincare for me. With the success of The Body Shop Hemp Cream (I wrote a review here) clearing up all of my dry, eczema-ravaged skin, I finally got the confidence to try more.

If you’ve had any kind of access to skincare and beauty on any platform, you’ve definitely heard about The Ordinary, the skincare brand that prides itself in clinical, no-frills affordable skincare with integrity.

What does that mean for you (and me)? It means reasonably priced skincare, for a range of different skin types that isn’t bombarded with questionable ingredients that irritate your skin and, sing it with me, it’s cruelty free! It’s also super easy to find what products are appropriate for your skin type and they’re all clearly labeled.

Top tip: no matter your skin type, make sure to do a patch test somewhere (I usually use the insides of my elbows)- applying a small amount of whatever you’re testing and observing how your skin reacts in 24 hours.

The Ordinary has a page all about patch testing depending on its different products, and I’ve linked it here.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

This 30ml bottle of hyaluronic acid was €6.95 on Beauty Bay. It’s an ultra-hydrating serum that has a collection of ingredients to hydrate all the different levels of your skin and visibly plump it.

Hyaluronic acid is great if you have dry skin because it draws moisture from your environment it retains it.

Vitamin B5 helps to heal and hydrate damaged skin by stabilising your skin’s barrier function- and it promotes the growth of stronger tissue.

As with most of The Ordinary products, the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is not fragranced, and is quite thick and almost slimy in the bottle- it’s practically impossible to count drops because it’s that gloopy. I find that I need to be quite quick to spread it around my face because it gets absorbed very quickly, and it leaves quite a tacky feeling to your face.

I noticed a difference in my skin’s hydration almost immediately. The directions say to use it twice a day, in the morning and again in the evening, which I did at first along with my Makeup Revolution CBD Serum (I’ve a review coming soon). I was so impressed when, within days of using both twice a day, I was waking up and my face wasn’t completely parched!

I have since stopped using it in the daytime, simply because it messes with my foundation, causing it to slip and slide around my face very quickly- not pretty.

The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Hemi-Squalene

Another great product for dry skin, the 100% Plant-derived Hemi-Squalene is €3.50 on Beauty Bay for a 30ml bottle. Actually a face and hair oil (though for now I won’t be putting it in my hair), it’s a non-comedogenic (it doesn’t block pores) natural emollient. It’s a lightweight oil that increases elasticity to provide a smooth, plump finish. This is a one-ingredient oil, so you know that there aren’t any questionable bits added in.

I’ve found that it has a very light and oily texture. It’s so light that when I put a few drops of it into my hands it manages to escape between my fingers. It absorbs crazily fast as well- honestly, I’m half tempted to use a brush to apply it. Though it feels exceptionally oily when it’s in my hands, it leaves behind an almost silicon-y layer on my face.

While I don’t use my 100% Plant-derived Hemi-Squalene as often as my CBD serum or Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, I much prefer to apply it first thing in the morning, under my makeup; it feels like a silicone primer and creates a good, stable base that my foundation sits on. I have noticed that if I do have any dry spots on my face it’s more noticeable when I’ve applied the squalene oil, but it’s not bad enough for me to stop using it.  

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-pressed Moroccan Argan Oil

The last, and admittedly least-used skincare product I ordered was the 100% Organic Cold-pressed Moroccan Argan Oil, for €6.75. Another face/hair combo the cold-presssing process preserves the integrity of the oil, rich in fatty acids and vitamins that hydrate and support healthy skin- so perfect for those of us whose skin is always thirsty.

Omega-9 is full of antioxidants, helping to improve skin elasticity.

Omega-6 is great for dry skin, as it helps to treat the skin problems caused by dryness.

I alternate between this oil and the squalene serum in the morning underneath my moisturiser and foundation. I think of the three, it's my least favourite product, and I doubt that I'll be repurchasing it again, but I am glad to have tried it! I've also noticed that I occasionally get hives on my forearms when I use it, so I'm not using it very often.

Have you found that lockdown has made you more or less interested in your skincare routine? If anything, I wear makeup almost every day and my skincare is definitely part of that!

As always, thank you so much for reading my blog and reaching out in the comments- I'm always available for a chat on Instagram @lapetitemis, make sure to come say hi!