Make Up Review

The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Review

by Mohammad Ali Ayaz on Jan 04, 2024

The Ordinary skincare line is a brand that I’ve discussed multiple times on this blog. Today I’d like to talk about my experience with the brand and how I use their products in this The Ordinary skincare review.

On the plus side, their products are very specialized and very affordable. But along with these benefits come some drawbacks.

The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Products

The Ordinary has several products, and it can get confusing when you are trying to decide which products you should use.

I’ll discuss these issues, the products I’ve tried, and all of the anti-aging benefits these products provide in this review on The Ordinary anti-aging skincare products.

This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

The Ordinary Formulations: A Hero Ingredient

Products from The Ordinary center around the idea of a hero ingredient in each product.

Whether you are concerned with acne, anti-aging, dry skin, or oily skin, these products are meant to address your skincare issues one stand-out ingredient at a time.

I think it’s a great way to test a product and see whether or not an ingredient can help your skin.

Mixing The Ordinary Products

Because most of The Ordinary products have a single hero ingredient, you’ll often need to use more than one to treat your skin concerns. Mixing and matching should not be done without being educated on the ingredients.

While it may be overwhelming or confusing to learn about what is in each product and how it works (or doesn’t work) with other products, if you start introducing The Ordinary products slowly into your skincare routine, you can learn about what each product offers your skin one at a time.

The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Products

The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Review: Affordable Drugstore Pricing

The price. You cannot overlook the price of these products. They are priced at drugstore prices and often cheaper than drugstore prices.

Since I am always on the hunt for anti-aging products, finding an effective acid, vitamin C, or retinoid product for under $10 is fantastic.

Their low and affordable prices allow me to purchase a few or sometimes many products that would be the equivalent of a single luxury skincare product.

NOTE: For complete information on combining The Ordinary products and order of product application, please visit The Ordinary’s website.

For more on The Ordinary skincare routines, please see my post on How to Build A Skincare Routine with The Ordinary Products.

Related Post: The Best The Ordinary Products for Acne Scars

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
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The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that is formulated with a pH of 5.50-6.50. The cleanser comes in the form of a white gel-like balm that spreads easily across your skin.

Emulsified sucrose esters dissolve makeup and other impurities. The cleanser is easily washed away with water and a washcloth.

Before applying, you rub it between your palms for 20-30 seconds to change the texture to an oil-like consistency.

While there is no oil in the formula, squalane is in the formula. It’s one of my newest favorite skincare ingredients. Squalane is oil-balancing, moisturizing, non-comedogenic, and helps protect the skin barrier.

I really like the texture of this cleanser since it reminds me of a cleansing balm.

This cleanser works well as a first cleanse, as it dissolves makeup, dirt, and oil.

It pairs well with The Ordinary’s newest cleanser launching in March 2023: The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, a water-based cleanser that works well as a second cleanse.

The main drawback for me is the small size. The 1.7-ounce tube won’t last long, and while it’s inexpensive, you’d need to purchase multiples to reach the size of a typical cleanser.

Luckily, The Ordinary has come out with a larger Squalane Cleanser in a 5.07 oz (150 ml) tube.

The Ordinary Direct Acids

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
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The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a chemical-based skin exfoliant formulated with 7% glycolic acid, amino acids, aloe vera, ginseng, and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative.

Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha-hydroxy acids, meaning that it can reach deeper into the skin to provide exfoliation of dead skin cells. Although with a deeper exfoliation, the potential for irritation increases.

That’s why a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative is included in the formula. This ingredient helps reduce irritation associated with acid use. Ginseng root and aloe vera are also included to calm and soothe the skin.

Glycolic acid is irritating to my skin, so I can only use this formula once in a while.

For those who do not have sensitive skin, this formula is a steal for a large 8.1 oz (240 ml) bottle currently priced at $13.

It has a convenient cone-shaped screw-top lid with a targeted dispensing cap, making it easy to apply to cotton pads without the formula leaking.

Related Post: Hylamide SubQ Skin vs The Ordinary “Buffet”

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary HA or Lactic Acid 10% + HA
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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is formulated with a 10% concentration of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) lactic acid.

Lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, making the penetration of the ingredient more superficial on the skin’s surface. As a result, it is considered a milder acid and causes less irritation.

Like The Ordinary’s glycolic acid, the formula contains a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative to help reduce the irritation and inflammation associated with acid use.

The formula also contains sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, a new generation smaller type of hyaluronic acid that helps skin retain moisture at deeper levels for longer periods of time.

I’ve written about this product in a few other posts because lactic acid happens to be my favorite exfoliating acid.

I’ve tested this product as a skincare alternative for my holy-grail chemical skincare exfoliant Sunday Riley Good Genes.

While it is not exactly the same as Good Genes (I’ve found no other product to be), this is a solid lactic acid serum at a ridiculously cheap price.

It never fails that after I use this product at night, I wake in the morning with smoother, brighter skin and improved skin texture. I love this lactic acid serum!

My skin is somewhat sensitive, but it can tolerate this acid a few times a week.

Please Note: If this 10% lactic acid formula is too strong for your skin, The Ordinary also offers Lactic Acid 5% + HA.

Related Post: How To Use The Ordinary Lactic Acid

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
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By far, the most interesting product that I’ve tried in this group is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.

It contains 30% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) (glycolic/lactic/tartaric/citric), 2% beta hydroxy acid (BHA) (salicylic acid), hyaluronic acid crosspolymer, vitamin B5, black carrot, and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative.

Both AHA and BHA acids exfoliate the outer layers of the skin, while BHA also treats congestion and blemishes.

A Tasmanian pepperberry derivative helps reduce irritation associated with acid use, and a crosspolymer form of hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin. Vitamin B5 helps heal the skin, and black carrot acts as an antioxidant.

This is a treatment product that should be applied to dry skin and left on your face for no more than 10 minutes as a mask and then rinsed off with warm water.

This treatment can be used at most bi-weekly. The crazy red color is what stands out most to me.

Once applied, you look like you have a really bad sunburn 🥵, but the color goes away after the peeling solution is removed.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

This The Ordinary product is not for sensitive skin. I wanted to give it a try and see if my skin could withstand 10 minutes since I’ve been using acids for a while.

I’ve tried this product a few times, and unfortunately, it irritated and reddened my skin.

It is potent, and while my skin felt baby smooth and my pores looked very refined afterward, the irritation was just too much for my skin.

This is ideal for those who do not have sensitive skin and are looking for an affordable and effective AHA/BHA treatment.

NOTE: The Ordinary notes that you should not use this peel on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin.  They recommend using it only if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and your skin is not sensitive.

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The Ordinary – A Recommended Routine For Every Skin Type
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My Skincare Journey- Acne/Aging/Pigmentation

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