Where I got it: I previously ordered some products from The Ordinary over the Victoria Health website. I decided to order some more because of how good the quality of the products is. I ordered 4 more items but 2 of them were new releases, they are on pre-order and will be posted to me at a later date. I ordered on 3/11 and the first package arrived on 14/11, the second package arrived on 29/11. and the final package arrived on 20/12.
The Ordinary Haul #2
What I got: I ordered the Buffet, Alpha Arbutin 2% HA, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and the High Adherence Silicone Primer. The Ordinary brand was created to celebrate integrity in its most humble and true form. Its offering is pioneering, not in the familiar technologies it uses, but in its honesty and integrity. All products from The Ordinary, are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, oxybenzone.
How I find it:
Buffet (USD$19.90 for 30ml). Multi-Technology Peptide Serum. This formula combines a comprehensive array of studied technologies to target multiple signs of ageing at once. The technologies are Matrixyl 3,000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl-pentapeptide 35), Matrixyl Synthe’6 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38), Syn-Ake peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate), Relistase peptide complex (with acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine), Argirelox peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18), Probiotic complex (with lactococcus lactis lysate), in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes. The total concentration of these technologies in the formula by weight is 25.1%.
The Ordinary Buffet
The Buffet is one of the best selling and most hyped-up product from the Ordinary product range. It is like a cocktail of products combined into one super-effective multi-functional serum. This serum has a clear gel texture with no scent at all. 2 drops from the dropper is enough for the entire face. Apply after toner or my Paula’s Choice BHA lotion. After the serum is absorbed, I apply my usual moisturiser and/or facial oil. Can be used morning and night.
After using this for almost a month, I can say that I really like this serum. The gel-texture is lightweight and non-sticky, it is quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving a tacky film or shiny finish. Over time, I feel that my skin texture has improved as well as more supple and smooth. Not sure if it is a combination of other products I use with this (I am also using the Lactic Acid by The Ordinary), but my skin texture and appearance has definitely improved. I will repurchase a backup of this.
Alpha Arbutin 2% HA (USD$12.90 for 30ml). A Concentrated Serum with Purified Alpha Arbutin and Hyaluronic Acid. Alpha Arbutin reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation. It’s used at a high 2% concentration versus a standard concentration of 1% and supported by a next-generation form of Hyaluronic Acid for enhanced delivery. Alpha Arbutin is much stronger in effect than Arbutin or Beta-Arbutin. Note: Alpha Arbutin is extremely sensitive to degradation in the presence of water if the pH of the formulation is not ideal. The pH of this formula is approximately 4.9 which is shown to be the most suitable pH to minimise degradation of Alpha Arbutin.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
I have always known Arbutin is targeted for brightening and hyper-pigmentation. 2% is regarded as a rather high concentration compared to the common 1%. With an additional hyaluronic acid, it helps the serum penetrated easier and provides additional hydration. This serum is clear with a gel consistency. It does not contain any fragrance and a little goes a long way. All I need is 2 drops for the entire face after toner. Can be used morning and night.
This seum has the same lightweight gel texture that is very easy to use. It is clear and smooths onto the skin effortlessly. Absorbed quickly into the skin, but does not provide much hydration in my opinion. I will most certainly layer a hydrating serum over this then a moisturiser.
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (USD$12.90 for 30ml). Multifunctional Brightening Formula. Found in grains, Azelaic Acid is produced naturally by yeast that lives on normal skin. It brightens the skin tone while visibly improving the evenness of skin texture and reducing the look of blemishes. It is a multi-functional support ingredient for all skin types and also acts as an effective antioxidant. This formula offers a very high 10% concentration of high-purity Azelaic Acid in a lightweight cream-gel system.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
This has been named “The Best Product of 2016” by Wayne Goss (YouTube MUA) and it is super affordable. It reduces breakouts, helps rosacea, reduces wrinkles, improves sun damage and makes the skin look brighter. Comes in a flip-out tube which is a different packaging from all the other Ordinary products I own so far. It has a white gel-cream texture with a medium consistency when applied to the skin – as in not too thin, not too thick. It has no scent and can be applied at day or night under your usual moisturiser/facial oils. Can’t wait for the brightening benefits this promises to improve the look of my blemish scars.
High Adherence Silicone Primer (USD$7.90 for 30ml). High-Adherence Blurring Surface Smoother and Primer. This formula uses advanced adaptive silicones to act as a matte, hydrating, blurring primer for makeup that looks higher in definition and adheres for longer. The formula can also be used alone as a non-greasy hydrator that reduces the looks of pores and of imperfections.
The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer
This primer came in the mail last. As its name suggests, it is a silicon primer. Silicon primers are great at blurring and filling in pores and lines, creating a smooth surface for foundation application. I understand that not everyone likes the feel of silicon primers nor does it work well with all types of foundation textures and formulas. However, this primer seems to work with most of my liquid and powder foundations, but not so well with gel-textured foundation as it tends to break and bunch up in areas.
Personally, I find that it works well under most of my foundations and BB creams, it smooths my enlarged pores, but does not work so well on my blackhead areas. Sometimes I like to just wear this on its own without foundation on top as it helps to make my pores appear smaller and lines diminished.
Overall: Effective skincare products at a very affordable price range. They are colourant and fragrance-free so keeping irritation to the minimum. The serums usually come in a frosted glass bottle with a glass dropper. While all serums have similar textures, consistency and look, it can make you feel that all the serums are the same and do the same job. Like with all skincare products, it does take some time for the products to do some changes and work on the skin. So with such low prices of these serums, it won’t break the bank when you need to buy 2-3 bottles! I am already using their new AHA and BHA acid products so check back later for my review!
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