The Ordinary’s three best skincare products and how to use them

The Ordinary is a skincare brand that sells highly desirable skincare ingredients but at a more affordable price.

This means that instead of selling a fifteen-ingredient hyaluronic acid serum for £60, they sell a simpler three-ingredient hyaluronic acid for £8.80 – eliminating the need for an expensive price tag.

While this concept completely shook up the beauty industry when the brand launched in 2016, it still turned customers into their own chemists. It is important to research beforehand which ingredients can be used together and how best to use them, otherwise you may risk causing skin damage.

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I found three items on their site that people were particularly loving and figured out how to best use them in your routine.

Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner 7% – £7.70

The exfoliating toner with 7% glycolic acid can be used as a daily toner. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and helps to smooth skin texture as well as promote radiance.

How to: This should be first in your routine. Be sure to avoid use if you have sensitive skin, sunburn, or are undergoing harsh treatments such as chemical peels. You also shouldn’t mix this with other strong treatments, so just a simple moisturizer would work well.

One happy user said: “Holy Grail product. I’m rarely one for reviews, but this toner really saved my skin. Every winter my skin gets so dry and tight and no matter how much I moisturize and exfoliate it still flakes, but since I bought this toner it has eliminated that problem and now my skin always looks so good.”

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – £5

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a great serum to use if you are prone to blemishes. Niacinamide is a very good ingredient these days and helps restore the skin barrier (which weakens due to age and environmental damage). It also helps to brighten and smooth the skin.

How to: This should be used in place of a serum, so it should come after cleansing and before any moisturizer. Use this in the PM and feel free to pair it with a vitamin C serum for added radiance or even a retinol if you’re looking for extra anti-aging properties.

One user said: “Very good for inflammation. I’ve been using it for about a month and a half, I have quite frequent spots on my cheeks and mixed skin with dry and oily spots. I have really noticed a difference since using this serum with less redness, smoother skin and my face feels less congested.”

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – £8.80

Hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 is all about hydration. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the skin, and its purpose is to bind to water molecules and lock that moisture into the skin. So this is great for those with dry skin, but works well on all types.

How to: Again, this should be used as a serum in your routine, so after cleansers/toners and before moisturisers/oils.

One user said, “This serum leaves my skin dewy and hydrated. I buy two of this because I use it twice a day every day while mixing and matching with my other products. Even the extra drops on the backs of my hands.”

There are a number of other brands that offer complete skincare routines, such as No7. The Future Renew range from Boots or Medik8 has an extensive range of products for day and night skincare routines.

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