My first experience with The Ordinary skincare left me feeling wanting. I guess I had a lot of high hopes for it, due to the affordability and the strength of the company behind it, and also due to the raves it’s been getting all over the world.
One of the products that I know many people love and which I was urged to try was The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%. I bought this way back when I did my The Ordinary haul, because I was curious about adding a retinol product into my skincare routine, and this was affordable. I also bought The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, because I had very good results from the Pai Bioregenerate Rosehip Oil, and this was more affordable, so I wanted to see if it would be a good replacement.
I’d put both of these into my routine over quite a long period, which you’ll understand why below, and I think I’ve finally reached a conclusion.
If you want the short answer, I’m going to be that party pooper, throwing cold water all over everyone, and telling you that I’m afraid that whatever I’ve tried from The Ordinary so far just doesn’t work for me. If you want to read about how I worked it out, then read on.
It isn’t to say of course, that I dislike the brand. I’ve nothing against them. I just haven’t found anything to work, which isn’t to say of course, that it won’t work for you.
The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% – US$14.90 | £8 for 30ml
I was most excited about this one. In recent years, we’ve been bombarded with repeated advice to use retinoids or retinol products, to keep aging at bay. Retinol helps skin boost collagen production, thereby keeping it firm, helps reduce wrinkles and lines, helps cell turnover so you have a more even skintone and helps with acne. It truly is supposed to be everything you need to fight skin aging.
Most products that contain retinol tend to be on the higher price scale. The Ordinary claims to turn it all on its head by offering their Advanced Retinoid 2% serum for just US$14.90 or £8 for 30ml. Now, if that doesn’t tempt you, I don’t know what will!
The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% is supposed to contain next-generation retinoid active technologies which they say have been shown to achieve better reduction in signs of ageing than retinol and without irritation. However, they also say that these cannot be compared to a pure retinol, of which they also offer under the same brand, in a 1% Retinol concentration. That is fairly high, by any standard.
The ingredient they use in this formula is Solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, and is encapsulated for time released delivery into the skin. Personally speaking, I don’t know enough about retinols to form a view about the use of the ingredients. I am no chemist either. I could learn it up, and I eventually will, but as of now, I’m speaking purely as a consumer, suckered in by the low price and the promise of renewed, refined skin. So, all I can tell you is based purely on my experience using this product.
And my experience has been awful. I gave it 2 chances. There wasn’t much more I could take than that, if I’m to be honest.
The product is a slightly milky creamy lotion that comes in a dropper style packaging in a dark brown bottle. So far so good. I use 1-2 drops at night only and during my trial period, because I wanted to see just how effective it was, I only used this product under moisturiser.
For me, I found that after about 2-3 days using this serum, I’d start experiencing a breakout. My skin became bumpy, my skintone appeared uneven, and I started developing spots and the odd cystic acne. The first time, I wasn’t sure if it was this serum. I stopped after about a week, set it aside, and set out treating my skin to get it back to normal.
A month or so later, I decided to have another go. This time, I persevered for about 2 weeks, before I gave up. I experienced the same problems – bumpy, spotty skin and more cystic acne that was incredibly painful. It wouldn’t go away at all during the time I was stubbornly using this serum, thinking “To hell with this, everyone says this serum is the bees knees, why is it the bee’s butt for me?!” But no, it just didn’t work out. In the end, I stopped it, and interestingly about 3 days later, with gentle ministrations, I found my spots subsiding and eventually going away, and my skin is slowly returning to normal. I’m still treating it, but I’m not going back for a third attempt. Sorry mate, this just isn’t working out. No glow, no plumped up skin, no nothing, just skin worse than when I started. I might have railed at the Sunday Riley Luna oil, which is supposed to have retinol-like benefits, for its colour, but it delivers results that are impressive for me.
Someone I spoke to told me that some people have reported that The Ordinary Retinoid works better for oily skin and the Sunday Riley Luna for dry skin. Might this be it? I have drier skin and Luna works very well (I’m just not sold on their marketing). This one, my skin just didn’t like 🙁
I tried looking up reviews online to see if anyone else experienced the same, but it seems I’m on my own. I did notice that some people mentioned that their skin underwent a “purge” which I take to mean they broke out. While I understand that this seems to be acceptable for some, it isn’t acceptable to me. I don’t believe in “skin purging” but if you do, I have nothing against that. It’s just what I believe. Should I give it another go? Honestly, I can’t be bothered because really, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me! 😛
IN A NUTSHELL
The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% did not work for me, as I found myself breaking out after using it. I don’t believe that skin will purge, but if you do and it works out for you eventually, then well and good. I’ll personally get something else instead.
PROS: Very affordable, Dark bottle packaging protects its contents, Not scented
CONS: Broke me out quite badly, Did not see any benefits using this serum at all
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who might want to try an affordable retinol product
PRICE: US$14.90 | £8 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Deciem website, Victoria Health (UK), Asos, Adore Beauty (AU), Beauty Bay
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil – US$16.90 | £9 for 30ml
The other product I was interested to try was The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil. I love the Pai Bioregenerate Rosehip Oil because it seriously turns my skin around when I need help. It smoothens, hydrates and calms and it lasts ages, and I’ve just repurchased another bottle!
The reason is simple. I found that The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed oil was just too ordinary for me 😛
I’m no stranger to using rosehip oil, having used it off and on through the years, but I’d never found any that I loved till the Pai one. The difference between this and the Pai Bioregenerate Rosehip Oil is that the one from Pai is a blend. This one is just 100% rose hip seed oil.
Personally, my skin works better with blended oils than pure oils. This is true of almost all oils I’ve tried to date. I know people experienced marvellous results from argan oil or jojoba oil or rosehip oil. Me, it takes a blend for me to notice any difference, or to enjoy using it. I guess that’s what makes us all different.
While I don’t think The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil to be bad in any way, I didn’t notice much benefits from using it. I have used it on its own or mixed into a moisturiser. The texture is a little thick, and there is that signature scent of rose hip oil. The thing is that rose hip oil, for all it’s properties in purportedly being a natural form of Vitamin A or retinol, can actually clog pores and break you out. So, I’d advise caution when using it, and to start small. 1-2 drops on damp skin, massaged in under moisturiser, or mixed into moisturiser. It helps keep your skin hydrated especially in drier climes.
I’m going to be controversial and say that locally, you can just pop into our pharmacies or organic shops and pick up any rosehip oil from the shelf (which may even cost less than this one) and that pretty much serves the same purpose. I personally saw no benefits from this, although it didn’t affect my skin in any way. It was just there. So, I’m going back to Pai – yes it’s expensive, but it works a treat for my skin and that’s really what I want in my skincare – that it works for me.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is a pure rosehip oil, that you can use on its own, or under a moisturiser or even mixed into your moisturiser for added moisture and benefits to your skin. Rosehip oil contains fatty acids and vitamins that are good for your skin and has even been touted to be useful in an anti-aging skincare routine, rather like that of a natural retinol. I personally derived no benefits from it, unfortunately. It didn’t break me out, but it didn’t make my skin look any better either.
PROS: Very affordable, Only very little product is needed
CONS: Oil can feel heavy and oily, Takes a while to sink into skin (applying on damp skin helps), Did not do anything for my skin
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an affordable rosehip facial oil
PRICE: US$16.90 | £9 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Deciem website, Victoria Health (UK), Asos, Adore Beauty (AU), Beauty Bay
For anyone interested, here is the ingredient list for both the products I’ve featured here.
Note: Left should read Rosa Canina Seed Oil. The ingredient list on right is for the Advanced Retinoid 2% serum.
Have you tried either product here? Care to share your experience?
In the main, I know the Advanced Retinoid 2% is coming off as a huge winner in most people’s skincare. I’m almost sad that it breaks me out because it would have been such a great and affordable addition to my skincare routine. Tell me if you like it? I’m not even sure I want to try any other products from The Ordinary 😛
Paris B
I’m waiting for the foundation to be made available. That’s what I wanted to try 😀 . Was tempted with the Advanced Retinoid 2% so maybe I’ll pop that into the shopping cart together. I know some people went cray cray hunting for it.
I saw some pictures of the foundation and yes, I admit that it intrigued me. But having struck out 3-0 so far, I’m not sure I want to give them anymore of my money LOL! Not saying it’s a bad brand coz the products are very affordable and they seem legit. But I also think they’re growing more quickly than I find reasonable and I’m very sure something will give 😛
You have an expensive skin that no ordinary can be tolerated. ?
Each individual have diff skin and how it reacts towards certain products, im sorry to hear this particular brand just does not seems to be the thing for you. I have to add, its true the ordinary are seems just little ordinary not bad neither wow.
Sadly, that’s probably true LOL! I’m actually glad this brand is available as an option for everyone wanting to get into active skincare and not wanting to bust their bank. Yet, I question it a little because this is the same company that brings us Niod which costs a pretty penny. I think there’s something there 😉 Have you tried anything from the brand yet?
You could be sensitive to other ingredients in the carrier of the Advanced Retinoid. I was preparing myself to break out due to the fatty alcohols and carageenan, but I guess I lucked out. Formulation is a tricky thing indeed.
The only thing I really like from the Ordinary is the arbutin serum. I’m sticking with Niod’s core range for the rest.
That could be true. I was actually bummed to not notice any change in my skin except for the worse. Some people have mentioned that it might be purging before it gets better. I however, am personally not sold on the idea. As I told the reader above, considering the same brand makes Niod, which costs so much more, I smell something a tad fishy 😛
I haven’t bitten the bullet with Deciem because of shipping (they’ve opened a store in Mexico city so I may ask a friend to buy some stuff for me), I’ve had high hopes about the brand because in paper it sounds awesome but in practice cheaper ingredients can make a product less stable for some which may be your case.
The only real retinol product I’ve used is the one from Mad Hippie that you recommended, I think I wasn’t completely impressed when I used it but now when I think about it I think it gave me the best skin I could have. However I’m not sure about repeating because of shipping and the lack of preservatives in the product.
Now I’m still tempted to try the one from The Ordinary but also I want to buy Retin-A (somehow you can buy it in Mexico without prescription) and try the real thing so I don’t know what I’d do.
Oh their shipping used to be free for anything. But now I saw that it’s free shipping only above US$250! and that’s just too high for me to bother with now 🙁 I actually think it might be better if you go in store and buy it yourself, so you know exactly what you want. Perhaps the next time you make a trip into Mexico City? 🙂 I think Mad Hippie Vitamin A was actually quite impressive, considering it’s a natural product and I don’t really give much score to natural products when it comes to actives. But it was quite good, and gradual with its improvements. Another product that is supposed to contain “natural Vitamin A” is rosehip oil, so you can try finding some products with that, if you aren’t sensitive to rosehip oil 🙂 Retin-A is effective but beware the peeling and flaky skin. We can buy it here without a prescription too, and I know of many people who used it while battling acne. I’d used it occasionally back in the day, but the whole peely, flaky skin turned me off when I got older and needed to put a decent face on for work LOL 🙂 I’d say give that a go – it’s effective!
I bought some the ordinary skin care from asos. Correction… a lot?. Because they’re cheap and because I’m curious about all the hype. Haven’t started using any though. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll fare better. ?
They are absolutely cheap! It boggles the mind, and I appreciate their efforts keeping the price so low. Have you received it and tried it? 😀
Everyone’s skin is different is definitely true 😀 I think the main thing why The Ordinary is so hyped up is because of its price and its simple list of ingredients in the products that they made, hence, less “bad” ingredients are in it. That said, I think the stripped down ingredient list or higher concentration of these active ingredients might not be the best for anyone with sensitive or dry skin types. Eg. the Retinoid serum, maybe for people with dry or sensitive skin types, there needs to be other ingredients to help calm, soothe and hydrate the skin so that it doesn’t irritate the skin, which might not be sufficient in a simple concentrated formula.
I have been trying their Niacinamide serum and but it hasn’t been long enough for me to see any effects yet. I think The Ordinary line is a good concept for skincare customisation, where people can buy the effective ingredients and “mix” around for their own tailored skincare products. For the more general consumers or dry skin types, we might be better off using products that are blended? (Maybe? Just a thought :p) I do agree that they are really affordable products, too bad they didn’t work for you. Maybe their products for hydration works better and strong acid products are not their forte?
To be honest, I have no idea why I’m breaking out from the Advanced Retinoid. Someone has suggested that my skin was purging, but I find that hard to accept, because why should a skincare that sits on skin make your skin worse before it gets better? Most of my other skincare don’t 😛 That said, I was told the Retinoid might work better for oily skins (I don’t know, maybe that’s true?) while I personally had nothing against the Rosehip oil, just that it wasn’t cutting it for me. Like you, I do think the Ordinary line is a good concept. I question their tactics a little, coz the same brand sells Niod, that costs so much more – how do you reconcile that? And I also think the accessibility of actives may result in people not being educated enough to pick the right products, simply because they just want to jump on the bandwagon. Still, it’s a good option to have – and I hope the Niacinamide serum works for you! 🙂
I still think The Ordinary aced it when they stripped the fillers ingredient by offering the actives in high percentage and low price than the normal merchandise. However they risked it for consumers with sensitive skin with concentrated actives. It is probably good for consumer to mix with their current skincare.
Their pricing is very honest. Concept is good with the science behind it. Truthfully I can’t find pure rosehip oil except the blended ones out there.
Yes I do think they were on to a good thing. Yet, how would you reconcile that with their much higher priced Niod brand, that is also all about actives? It puzzles me somewhat, but those who have used Niod tell me it’s far more elegantly formulated so I don’t know. I do question the practice somewhat. Still, I can’t deny how affordable the products are, although I do also think that they can be very confusing, and might lead to people being too rash or wrong about their pick of actives. Still, I guess they are on to a good thing. I used to see pure rosehip oil in our pharmacies as I used to use them (stains the skin and sheets!). But I do confess I haven’t looked in a while so maybe they no longer exist?
Thanks for this. This brand is quite the flavour of many months now eh, but since I don’t use profucts that aren’t 100% all natural and homemade anymore, the only thing that piqued my interest was the rosehip oil. Problem is, I break out on rosehip oil, but the only brand that I’ve tried which hasn’t has been Trilogy. Even so, I’ve got to use it in a tinyyyyy amount with another carrier oil. So I may skip this one out.
Yes, rosehip oil is actually known to clog pores, which is something people don’t talk about very much. That is why I tend to prefer blended oils over pure oils. I find blended oils tend to be lighter, and maybe reduces the concentration of the product so it isn’t so abrasive on skin. Oh and you were right to point out that this is definitely not a brand that caters to those preferring a natural skincare lifestyle! So much chemicals in there lol!
Hi Paris! I’ve been using both you have mentioned. For the Retinoid, I understand that you don’t believe in purging, but maybe you could check http://www.labmuffin.com/purging-vs-breakouts-ditch-skincare/ out. Exfoliatory skincare does tend to create ‘purging’ symptoms. For myself, I used to have a lot of textural issues on my chin, and using the retinoid did give me far more whiteheads and pimples for about a month, before the ‘purging’ stopped and now I have the best skin I’ve had in recent memory! Even traditional prescribed retinols are supposed to have a purging phase, in addition to horrible peeling and dryness (which seems like was not a complaint about this retinoid, hence its ‘advancement’ over the traditional retinols.)
Just wanted to put it out there! Would you be reviewing any more products from the line?
Hi Michelle, thanks for the link and for the suggestion. Yes, I did consider it might be purging with the retinoid and I did look it up. However, as the article suggests, I was breaking out in places where I have stopped breaking out for years (age has its benefits LOL!) like my forehead and cheeks. If it was just my chin, where I get the odd breakout now and then, I might have been more determined to see it through. The other thing I didn’t experience was better looking skin where I wasn’t breaking out. I expected that 2 weeks might be a long enough time to see some effects of the retinoid at play, but it didn’t work that way for me. By contrast, when I was using Luna oil I could see better looking skin in just about a week, which I know isn’t the same coz it’s not apples to apples, but you get the idea 🙂 I’m glad to know that this Advanced Retinoid works well for you – it seems to have worked well for most people, and I haven’t come across many who talk about their skin breaking out at all which made me feel quite nonplussed LOL! I actually don’t have anything else I bought from this brand except a hyaluronic acid hydrating serum, which I’ve been using off and on and which is probably the only thing that’s working. But then, most hyaluronic acid hydrating serums are generally milder and you can see effects quite quickly anyway. I haven’t thought about buying anymore from them, because I saw they upped their free shipping to a purchase of over $250 and that’s just too much to have to spend, when I’d been getting free shipping before, with any purchase or with a $40 minimum, that’s easy to achieve. Also, I have noted that they are the same company that sells Niod which has similar actives and products (more complex I’d agree) and cost much more. I’m not sure how to reconcile the brands right now when they are all under the same umbrella 🙂 So the short answer is really, I don’t know! LOL!
p/s Forgot to add that I do use exfoliators and acid toners regularly, which work to exfoliate the skin and encourage skin cell turnover, which is why I wasn’t expecting to purge from the retinoid. I could be mistaken of course, since I’m no expert, but in my mind, it made sense and that’s why I couldn’t accept that it was a mere purge but incompatibility with my skin 🙂
Hi Paris, I bought some products from The Ordinary too and honestly they haven’t wowed me so far! I bought the Retinoid serum, the Alpha Arbutin serum, the Marula Oil and the hyaluronic serum. I wasn’t impressed with any of it even though they don’t break me out… I guess their range of products are really too ordinary for me!
Hi Su Hlaing – I’m kind of glad to know that you too aren’t blown away by the products from The Ordinary haha! I do think they probably serve those who want something quite basic? But yet they also have Niod, which costs so much – how do they reconcile that?! LOL!
I am having the same problem, the first time I used the ordinary advance retinoid 2 % at night time. and the next morning I woke up with 3 pimples and 1 cystic acne. 3 days after that I had small pimples on my forehead. It took me 2 weeks to recover from the acne situation. the Weird thing is my skin does plump. So I am on the fence, is it worth get plump skin but having break out at the same time.
I am thinking to try it again after my skin fully recover, but I am afraid that I would break out from it again.
with all the hype, I was looking for review that similar to my experience with the ordinary advance retinoid 2 %, and I found your page. anyway, thanks for sharing.
Hi Nadya, sorry to hear the Retinoid breaks you out, but maybe you can try other brands. I suspect it’s not so much of the ingredient as it is the formula that may not agree with us.
This brands in highly raved about on YouTube by famous youtuber and for me it didn’t really work or maybe no better than my current used product ..bummer..
Sadly I haven’t had a lot of luck with The Ordinary in general too. Oh well, can’t work for everyone I guess! 😀 Although I do notice that people are kinder to it because it’s affordable. So, even if it doesn’t work for them, they aren’t upset about it.
In case you’re new to retinol, don’t be afraid of trying this after reading the article. First, start with a low dose and use it once per week. Then work your way up (e.g. twice a week, etc.). You may experience purging, which is excellent because the product is working!
Purging happens because retinol brings everything to the surface. It may freak you out. However, after some time, your skin will adjust. If you’re not a fan of retinol, you can try The Ordinary’s Rosehip Oil, which contains vitamin A (retinol). Best of luck!