BEAUTY
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE ORDINARY'S PRODUCTS, ACCORDING TO A SKINCARE EXPERT
By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 22 April 2024
With so many complexly-named products on the market, it can be tricky to find the right skincare for you, especially if chemistry isn't your forte. So, we called on the experts at The Ordinary – the brand that's been creating accessible, adaptable and acclaimed products for over a decade – to help. From preventing pimples to summer prep, Scientific Communications Manager Joe Basham is here to answer all our burning questions. P.S check out the *three* new bundles we've just dropped on-site too.
Hey Joe! Starting with the basics, what’s the correct order to apply products?
At The Ordinary we have three categories: prep, treat and seal. We’d recommend starting with prep (cleansers), then treat (mainly serums), and then sealing off with moisturisers (if you use multiple layers, a lightweight gel cream goes underneath a heavier water-based one). In the treat category, we say go from thinnest-to-thickest viscosity as a rule of thumb – start with water-based serums, move on to oils, then suspensions.
We're seeing a lot of discussions about 'protecting your skin barrier' recently. What products help repair a damaged skin barrier?
Many things can impact the skin barrier's ability to hold water in and filter irritants out – the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser aids that process. It's a cream-based cleanser that leaves the skin feeling moisturised and removes makeup, while respecting your skin’s natural pH. As it doesn’t suck out any moisture, it’s ideal for dryer skin.
The second option is the Soothing & Barrier Support Serum – it helps to repair a damaged skin barrier within *two hours*, targets signs of irritation and provides a comforting, soothing effect. Alongside niacinamide and ceramides, one of the main ingredients (that gives it that gorgeous pink colour) is vitamin B12, which is known for reducing redness.
The Ordinary x ASOS Exclusive Blemish Control Duo, £11
A pink serum? Sign us up! What products would you recommend for minimising blemishes?
Our go-to heroes: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. The former is a super universal ingredient, it improves the look of uneven tone and texture, increases radiance, and most relevant to blemish control, reduces the excess oil on the skin's surface.
The latter is a beta hydroxy acid; in layman’s terms, it's brilliant at exfoliating deep within the pores. You can use salicylic on targeted areas like I do, or all over the face to prevent further pimples from forming.
Summer's approaching and we’re super excited! How can we adapt our skincare routines depending on weather changes?
Listen to your skin. If it feels rough and textured in the morning, integrate a hydrating and smoothing product like our niacinamide serum. If you’ve got a stubborn pimple after sweating a lot, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution targets that.
A common misconception is that you must do the same routine every day. You can cycle your products depending on how your skin’s feeling; Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for a particularly dry day, or if it’s really humid on holiday we highly recommend the Natural Moisturising Factors + Beta Glucan. It’s a gel-based, lightweight moisturiser that offers the best barrier support of our seal category. But most importantly, *always* use an SPF, I promise you’ll thank yourself for it in 20 years!
Pictures: ASOS
Noted! We love The Ordinary, can you tell us a bit more about why it's so popular?
If you're experiencing a specific concern, you can opt for a solution that was made to treat that. This makes it easy to flex and personalise your routine. We also prioritise transparency – on the bottle of every product you can see the percentage of the main ingredient, like 2% or 1%. Most of our ingredients have got many decades of research behind them, so we know the most-optimal concentration needed for treating specific issues – while staying safe, of course!
