Reviewing Some of the Ordinary Skincare

Since my last post, [The Ordinary Haul] Focus: Dry & Dehydrated, Acne-Prone, Texture, Prevent & Prolong, I have used day and night, non-stop, the following Ordinary products for one month:

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

I know many people have already reviewed this brand, but in my previous post I mentioned my concerns are:

  • Dry & Dehydrated
  • Acne-Prone
  • Texture
  • Prevent & Prolong
With that in mind, I hope this post is more catered to you and helps you better understand the thoughts I have on these products.

I have used all of them day and night for just over a month. The lactic acid however had to be put aside when I went on vacation to Cuba for the week, but I used it a couple of times after.

MORNING:
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

NIGHT:
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
HA, Azelaic, & Lactic in rotation (2/3 always used)


20170205123324_img_2136-2Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Use 1-2x a day
Feels like any other hyaluronic acid serum I’ve ever used. Momentary relief and then goes away. I actually purchased the Hyalimide a few days ago and notice it leaves my skin slightly softer and my skin feels a tad more rich with hydration. Truthfully I think I have been using this serum wrong. The air in my apartment and outside have been so dry, the HA has nowhere to draw moisture from except from within my skin, thus making my face feel drier. I gave the Ordinary HA to my boyfriend and will be continuing with the Hylamide.

20170205123310_img_2135-2Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Use 1-2x a day
PORES: The effect it has on the pores are noticeable once applied, and it made me feel like it was only an “in the moment” effect that wouldn’t last. I still used it everyday the whole month to see if I was wrong.  Nick actually changed my thoughts when commented that my pores are a lot smaller compared to their size when we started dating.
FINE LINES: The dehyrated line on my forehead is almost non-existent! WOOHOO. And  the ones that *I* felt were developing around my nose and mouth have stopped in its tracks.
BLEMISHES: I thought it was working on my breakouts in a sense that it gets them poppable without any marks after. However, after  couple of weeks of using it day and night, it wore off. My breakouts were not controlled, and even some small cystic spots appeared. I went on vacation and didn’t change my routine. It still did nothing to control breakouts. I don’t think this causes breakouts at all, but it hasn’t really been doing anything for them. Maybe it’s something that will come in time, since niacinimide is all about helping the immunity of your skin.

Use 2-3x a week
All I know about this product is that it’s supposed to help with brightness and texture. I don’t like the mattifying effect because it makes my skin feel more dry. It also pills up like a MOFO even if you apply minimal amount or wait for a few minutes. I do not recommend this at all if you are going to follow up with a facial oil after, and be very mindful when applying moisturizer. My face however does appear to be smoother after using this consistently, althought I don’t think it had that big of an effect on my indented scars like the lactic acid serum.


20170205123256_img_2134-2Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%
Used 3-5x a week at first, then 1-2x a week
The tazmanian pepperberry definitely helps with lowering irritation, although I have built a high tolerance for acids. My skin actually feels very smooth and soft after using this product a few times. I was using it almost every night before my vacation down south and decided to put it on hold since the equator sun is quite strong. The monkeys at the abnormal beauty company  recommended I use this 1-2 times a week and up the amount of product to use as a face mask so I’m not using it every night, and so my face doesn’t become significantly pale compared to my body. So far I have used a quarter-sized amount all over my face, left it on for 10 minutes and rinsed off. My face is left feeling and looking incredibly smooth! It’s also a bonus that it never dries out my skin when I leave it on. It’s definitely a method of application I’ll continue using. Even though the first 3 weeks I used it almost every night, my skin does not look thinner nor has the product ever dried me out while using it.


RESULTS

wp-1490546942696.jpg
LEFT: FEB 6, 2017 RIGHT: MAR 26, 2017

– Texture is improved; indented scars are less prominent, skin does not feel congested
– Skin is more even tone, have been using minimal makeup since using the serums consistently
– Doesn’t feel hydrated because the air is perpetually dry, but skin still feels very soft and not as chapped as it used to be, some slight relief of dehydration
– Skin does not look thinned out and weak
– Breakouts have not stopped; still get the occasional cystic spot
– Pores considerably smaller. (Without asking) Nick commented that my pores look smaller and I look younger because of how smooth my face looks (yayyyyy)
– I saw my friend who I bought this with over a month ago and she said she also noticed my face looked a lot smoother

Favourites from most to least:
Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%- improves texture and quality of my skin
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% –
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% – pills like a mofo and truthfully I don’t know if this does anything for the longterm.
Hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 – Meh.

I like this brand and how it’s about potent, stabilized and safe ingredients, and the overall simplicity of the line. With the price point and and ability to layer 3 at a time, this is definitely a low-risk buy if you’re looking for something new.
I will continue using them all to the end, and still buy from the brand, and will definitely update on a post about “Ordinary Empties” to give my final thoughts.

I recently bought Hylamide Booster Low-Molecular HA ($20.00 CAD) to see if it’s more potent and powerful than the Ordinary HA 2% + B5; I also picked up the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($8.90 CAD) to help fade my hyper-pigmentation marks and prevent age spots!


And that’s that! Hope you enjoyed the review, definitely let me know if there’s something I must try from Deciem, and I’l blog for you soon.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR DEMO:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDf5syFRmT8]

xo, M


www.ordinaries.com

Not sponsored. Not affiliated. I took it upon myself to review this day and nigh for a month because GOSH DARN I couldn’t believe!

[REVIEW] Supergoop! Barre to Bar Beauty Set goes to Cuba!

Before my vacation to Cuba I purchased the Supergoop! Barre to Bar Beauty Set at a Sephora in the US. I got it on a whim because I know this brand isn’t sold in Sephora Canada, and I also wanted to try something new on my trip!


About the Brand & Owner

Supergoop! founder Holly E. Taggard began her company after learning a close friend of hers was diagnosed with melanoma. She learned that melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US, and more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun. 8 years later she created Supergoop, focusing on innovative UV protection skincare.

“Supergoop! super broad spectrum sunscreens help protect skin from UVA rays, in addition to providing the SPF necessary to prevent damage caused by UVB sunburn rays but we don’t stop there. Antioxidants have now shown to neutralize and deliver a second line of defense against photodamage and accelerated skin aging. Our clinicals have proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity and hyperpigmentation by neutralizing free radicals and stimulating collagen production.

We also recognize that traditional sunscreen is the farthest thing from “feels good”. So, we strive to create products that you and your family actually want to put on. Lightweight and easy to apply, never goopy. And formulated with only the highest quality ingredients, always free from any controversial ones.”


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January & February Favourites 2017

Here are some products and items that stood out to me the past couple of months. Most of them I have used consistently since purchase, so it is only appropriate that I dedicate a blog post to them!


Skincare

Acure Aromatherapeutic Moroccan Argan Oil (Rose)*
I have an unhealthy obsession with this! It smells so. Damn. Good. One pump is enough to cover my entire face, and sometimes I mix it in with whatever base makeup I decide to wear. It leaves my skin soft, smooth and healthy. (Will be doing a review of the Acure products I received from my previous post [UNBOXING] Natural, Eco-Friendly Goodies)

Acure Quick Fix Correcting Balm (Argan Oil + Starrflower)

I have been using this day and night around my eye area, the corners of my nose and smile area, and on the liiiiiight dehydration line on my forehead. It’s been keeping my eyes nicely hydrated and moisturized, and the tight, dry skin around my nose has become bearable. The forehead is the only place I stopped using it because a pimple sprouted there from it, otherwise it has been doing the job of adding extra moisture to needed areas and “fixing” problems!

Charmzone Control Cream Self-Massage
I also have an unhealthy obsession with this product. It removes dead skin cells, clears the gunk in my skin, and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. It is unbelievably gentle and my skin always looks good after using it. (Will be doing a full review and demo)

Boscia Charcoal Deep-Pore Cleansing Stick Treatment
I bought this just for fun after watching YouTuber Gothamista’s review on cleansing sticks. Iv’e been using it on and off, and consistently on a week vacation, and it actually turned out to be pretty effective! I noticed the size of my pores minimized significantly after one use, it never made my skin feel tight, and my breakouts were never inflamed. The one thing is it “melts” a bit fast so make sure to be quick with the stick and set it aside upright! (Of course I shall review)

Supergoop Barre to Bar Beauty Set – I bought this for my week vacation down to Cuba and it proved to be a lovely set. The City Serum is light and hydrating, the CC cream matched my skin tone well, and the lip/cheek treat was a nice colour that blended into the skin and lips easily without looking patchy. The only one I’m on the fence about is the mist, because of it’s heavy smell of alcohol, and I haven’t used it enough to know if the SPF is effective. (Full review will be posted after this!)

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