When I browse skincare forums, read blogs or watch YouTube videos, the most common question about The Ordinary is: “I don’t know a lot about skincare, but want to try their products, what would you recommend?” That’s the reason I wrote this post, because instead of a one-fits-all routine this is designed to answer some questions if The Ordinary products are for you or not. And I’ve got some pretty easy answers to that: What you should know before buying The Ordinary products!
Accessibility
When The Ordinary launched, everybody was over the moon because skincare, really good quality skincare, became accessible. For the first time, we saw a science and ingredient focused skincare line that was comparably cheap. Drugstore level cheap, and available online. Cheap, yes, but accessible? No. For people outside the beauty world it’s nearly impossible to understand what the products are and do. I mean, EUK 134 0,2%? Even I had to look that up, and I’d say I’m doing generally ok with skincare ingredients. While other skincare products come with helpful pointers in their names (antioxidant, hydrating serum, whatever), The Ordinary makes you research a lot. That can be intimidating, especially for people who’re new to skincare.
One for all – or not?
Apart from only a few products, The Ordinary definitely concentrates on products that do one thing, and one thing only. Apart from the Buffet, you don’t get products that pack a punch. If you’re looking for retinol, you’ll get retinol – and that’s it. Antioxidants? You’ll get one. Which brings me to…
Older skin needs more!
It just does. I have pretty normal combination skin that’s now about 40 years old. I rely on a good hydrating serum made up from different forms of hyaluronic acid and other hydrators. I also need a bunch of antioxidants. My Vitamin C serum comes with other antioxidants in the formula, my retinol booster has additional antioxidants and hydrators, and even my acids come with green tea extract – again antioxidants. Especially with antioxidants more is more, and I appreciate when products reflect that. Given that a wellrounded anti-aging regime should include retinol, antioxidants, acids and peptides, using only The Ordinary products would make for a lot of…
Layering.
Which would be ok, if only some of their products weren’t so damn unpleasant to layer. I ran into all kinds of issues just using Buffet and the old Vitamin C. I’ve to admit that I want to enjoy my skincare routine – I want nice textures, I want my skin to feel good afterwards, I don’t want to gag when I apply products (reading about the new Marine Hyaluronics makes me want to never ever try this one). Keep also in mind that when you need three 10$ products, why not use one that’s about as expensive, but combines all those ingredients?
Very specific concerns? Sensitivities? Yay!
Let’s imagine that you have very specific skin concerns and you want to add one single active ingredient in your current skincare routine. Or do you have sensitivities and have to be really, really careful in adding products to your routine? Then you’re in luck. Nearly all The Ordinary products hava short ingredient lists, and the shorter the ingredient list, the easier it is for you to find a product that’ll help your skin and won’t aggravate it. Yay!
Formulas aren’t set in stone
All companies will overhaul their products from time to time. The Ordinary is the only one I know, though, that has this disclaimer on their website:
“Our formulations are updated from time to time as part of our commitment to innovation. As such, the ingredient list shown here may vary from the box of the product depending on time and region of purchase.”
That means that the product you ordered three months ago and the one you ordered yesterday might not be the same. Or the one I ordered and the one you ordered aren’t the same. Which… sucks. I can also add my observation to this: My first bottle of Argireline had a texture like water. My second one is still runny, but has more of a serum-like texture. Which makes it easier to use, but well, what about the ingredients? Have they been altered? I have no idea. Which makes writing about them and sharing my experiences rather difficult, because you could own the same product, but with different ingredients.
It’s difficult
The Ordinary is the most unreliable company I know, period. Products are teasered and then don’t release. Or are impossible to get, because there’s a waiting list and other retailers don’t get their orders. Also, their CEO is a bit of an idiot and will likely attack anyone who doesn’t agree with him via social media. All in all, it’s difficult. 😉
Tl, dr: The Ordinary products might be for you if…
… you’re younger,
… you’ve got one or two specific skin concerns you want to tackle,
… you’re skincare-savvy,
… you’re want to save money on skincare,
… you don’t mind to either order abroad or wait for products.
I hope this was helpful for you to decide if The Ordinary is a brand for you or not!
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