I Am Addicted to Anti-Aging Products and This Crazy-Affordable Brand Saved My Skin
There comes a time in everyone's life when they realize they need to make a change. Whether you want to let go of a toxic relationship, finally lose that extra weight, or take your career to the next level, you can often point to a single moment that inspired you to do the darn thing.
For me, the "thing" was taking care of my skin. The "moment" was when I saw this meme.
Whether you're 25 or 55, you only get one face. I fall into the younger category and upon realizing that I need to preserve this visage for at least five more decades, I've become obsessed with nailing down a daily regimen that my dermatologist would be proud of.
Why I started using The Ordinary (and will never look back).
After a few months of spending too much of my paychecks on expensive anti-aging lotions that did not make me look like the glowing celebrities on TV commercials (I'm looking at you, Jennifer Aniston), I almost gave up on my Skincare Journey. Then, a dewy-faced friend told me about a brand that she swore would change my life.
Enter The Ordinary. This collection of skincare products offers medical-grade formulas at a price that won't give you sticker shock. When the crazy-affordable brand first launched in 2017, it racked up waitlists of more than 25,000 people who were all eager to get their hands on the active ingredient-driven products sold for less than $20 a pop. Now, The Ordinary offers enough variety to meet the skin care needs of virtually anyone and can be purchased on Amazon or at Sephora.
But does it actually work? Yes. Let me say it louder for the people in the back: YES. After just two months of using a handful of products from The Ordinary on a daily basis, I've noticed a major difference in the appearance of my skin. Here's a breakdown of my routine:
MORNING: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, "Buffet"
NIGHT: Granactive Retinoid* 2% Emulsion, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Is The Ordinary worth the hype? The proof is in the mirror.
New York's bitter-cold winters are no match for the ultra-hydrating properties in the Hyaluronic Acid solution, which I use twice a day in addition to my normal daily moisturizer (Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel, FYI).
If you've ever researched anti-aging products, you've probably learned that retinoids are the magical class of chemical compounds that prompt skin cells to regenerate more rapidly to help reduce and avoid wrinkles. The Ordinary's Granactive Retinoid that I use does just that, without giving you the "retin-uglies" (a hilarious term for the irritation caused by using harsh retinoid products). In other words, the fine lines I carved out on my forehead from years of dramatic facial expressions have basically disappeared and the product didn't burn off half my face.
I used to think the puffy, dark circles under my eyes would fade away when I graduated college and regularly went to bed before the sun rose. I was wrong. Three years and many hours of REM sleep later, I started using The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution and my under-eye bags are finally fading away.
If I could recommend only one product from The Ordinary's extensive line, it would be the "Buffet." This multi-peptide serum works gently on sensitive skin, is so easy to use, and has a cult following for its all-in-one anti-aging benefits. This stuff will leave your skin feeling plump, hydrated, and free of fine lines. Don't believe me? There are thousands of reviews from women twice my age who claim the Buffet serum makes them look like they're "aging backwards." It's that good.
What are the best The Ordinary products?
The only negative thing I have to say about this brand is that it offers almost too many products. How is anyone supposed to choose?! If you have issues with your face that sound like mine (dry skin, fine lines, under-eye circles), I recommend trying the lineup I described above. If you want a mix recommended by the pros for all skin types, you can purchase the "No-Brainer" set. This starter kit features The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, and "Buffet."
It can be daunting trying to decide what to buy, but with such low price points, you can't really go wrong. And if you want to start small, seriously-just get the "Buffet."
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