The Ordinary A Mini Guide.

I am absolutely loving the ordinary skincare range, but when I first took a look at the whole range I was so confused and I really didn't know where to start! 

So I did a little research into the ingredients and what they are and do, so I could then make an informed decision as to which products would work best in my skincare regime.

I mentioned in my previous post, I purchased the vitamin c 23%+HA, Retinol 1%, and the Natural Moisturising Factors. My skin is absolutely loving these products. But after a little research I made the decision to switch the Retinol out in favour of the Azelaic acid. Simply because I wanted to focus more on my redness and breakouts and Azelaic acid is much gentler to use on sensitive skin. 

Looking at The Ordinary's whole range, it can be more than a little confusing and very tempting to try all their products as they are so affordably priced!

However that's not recommended as several of the products are actually very similar ingredients or derivatives. So will either cancel each other out or essentially do the same job! 

It may seem like you need a degree in science to understand which product is for which skin concern but once you realise that they are just their science names and you translate into their 'normal names' its fairly simple. For example Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a derivative of vitamin C 

So, if you wanted to add some Vitamin C to your regime, then you actually have several choices:

The obvious and highly concentrated one is the Vitamin C 23% + HA

Then the derivatives are:

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

There's really no point to using all these products at same time as they are all very similar derivatives of Vitamin C. Perhaps try one form, see how that works out and if you don't like it try another form.

Another tip, don't use Niacinamide at the same time as Vitamin C. This is because the niacinamide which is vitamin B3 affects the integrity and effectiveness of the vitamin C. Use one in the morning and one at night or even alternate days.

The Vitamin C 23% has the vitamin c suspended in hyularonic acid spheres to ensure it remains stable and actually reaches your skin. As you apply it can feel grainy, these are the vitamin c's which break-up and get to work on your skin. If you don't like the grainy feel, switch to another form of vitamin c or try adding a few drops of their hyaluronic acid + B5 serum. This helps to dilute the grains of vitamin c. 

Don't use a Retinol with an acid eg Glycolic or salicylic or Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) at the same time. This is because they do similar jobs but also in order to work effectively Retinol needs to be at a higher PH level, whereas the acid needs a lower PH level. Adding them at the same time means that neither will work as effectively as they would on their own, they kind of cancel each other out as neither are at their optimum PH. For example: Use Glycolic acid in the AM then use the Retinol in the PM. 

Save the 'light sensitive' ingredients for the night-time. This means that it will work much more efficiently. Light can degrade the ingredients but also makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. So you will find you burn much quicker. So best to use at night and remember to use sunscreen in the day time. Examples of these types of products are Retinol, AHA's, Lactic acid and Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid too.

Don't use AHA's with Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid because they essentially do the same thing. They break down the dead skin cells and chemically exfoliate. Using two types of acid will harm and possibly irritate your skin by over exfoliating.

Facial oils go on last. This is because they have a heavier molecule and products find it difficult to penetrate. Putting the lighter ingredients first allows them to penetrate and enter the skins layers. As the oils take longer to soak in they are more effective applied at night where they have longer to get to work. 

Hope this mini guide to The Ordinary helps you when building your own personal regime. I think The Ordinary really is a skincare game-changer. It offers high quality ingredients at affordable prices, which makes it possible to build your own skincare routines based on your own personal skin issues. And great results to boot!!

Have fun and take care xoxo

Out of The Ordinary ... Skincare

Have you heard of a brand called The Ordinary? 

Up until a month ago I hadn't, however in the beauty world it's hard to miss a brand which has a massive 25,000 person waiting list for their new foundation, yet to be released here in the UK.

Of course I immediately signed up to the said waiting-list! I need to find out what all the fuss is about!!

In the mean-time I thought I'd give some of their skincare offerings a go. I have to say I am impressed. The names for their products are simple, packaging plain but sleek. But what I love is you know exactly what you are getting in terms of ingredients. 

According to their website the idea is to layer the products depending on the skin issues you wish to tackle and best of all the price is amazing. So for 3 or 4 products it's actually affordable to layer them probably for less than a high end skincare product. Only you've chosen the specialised ingredients to match your skincare concerns. Win-Win I say!

So based on my current skincare routine I was lacking in a retinol. I am acutely aware that as I age over 30 I'm going to need to reinforce my age defence on the skincare front. 

So here is what I chose... 

As you can see packaging is very simple, but I think it is appealing and I enjoy the openess of their products. No fuss, no frills.

Retinol 1%

As I said I'm a lady over the age of 30 looking to start using more anti-ageing targeted products so I thought I'd start with the lower 1% retinol they offer and see how I get on with that. So far so good. I've been using this gel like treatment twice a week for the past 3 weeks. I haven't experienced any ill effects so far and it seems to be a fairly gentle retinol.

High Adherence Silicone Primer

A thick, creamy smoothing primer. I apply this before my foundation and it really helps to make my foundation last throughout the day. I feel it helps the foundation not to settle in my pores or creases, which previously I felt it did, highlighting issues I wanted to cover up. Best of all is the price, at only £3.90 you really can't go wrong!

Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

A slippy oil / cream suspension, as you can see from the swatches photo, it starts off a white creamy consistency  then as you rub it in goes an oily see through shade. Has a slight grainy feel to it as you put it on your face. These are the vitamin c spheres. As a rule vitamin c tends to be unstable however the ordinary have developed a unique delivering system. Which is really working for me. I noticed the effects from this the first night I used it. The next morning my skin felt super soft. It's really helping me tackle stubborn dry areas and since using my makeup has been applying with ease. An absolute steal at £4.90!!

Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

A lovely creamy moisturiser which contains multiple amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides and more importantly for my dry parched skin,  hyaluronic acid. This last one is what helps to hydrate the skin as it can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. I have been reaching for this moisturiser over  my more expensive ones. It does what it says hydrates the skin without feeling smothered or greasy. Its a really nice moisturiser and a £4.90 price point is amazing.

Swatches

Top to bottom:

Silicone primer, Vitamin C, Retinol 1% and Natural moisturising Factors HA

I really like the simpleness of their products, low key packaging and clear, understandable ingredients list. I like having the option to layer products according to my skin concern. It makes their skincare adaptable and with their price point it's very tempting to add several products to your skincare line-up.

Their foil seal keeps the products fresh inside until you are ready to open them. Easy to use squeezy tube packaging, no need to faff with pipettes etc!

I am seriously impressed with The Ordinary their skincare offerings have fast become my favourite products to use in my routine. I'm excited to try more and with their amazing prices, why not?! Simple affordable and best of all high quality. I'm eagerly and impatiently awaiting their foundation!! Their skincare is far from ordinary.

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary? What would you recommend.

Hand Chemistry: The ONLY hand cream you NEED!

Hand Creams: To say I am picky is an understatement, when it comes to hand creams I hate the feeling of greasy slimy sticky hands. I want a cream that nourishes and moisturises but sinks in FAST. No waiting around with your hands mid air!!

Soap and glory hand food is my go to .... that was until I discovered HAND CHEMISTRY. Completely by accident too, on the shelves of boots!

Oh my, this is a truly amazing hand cream. I can't believe I am raving about a hand cream, but if you haven't tried it, you need to!! Especially with the colder months rolling in. I find my hands get quite dry and chapped. Not only does it moisturise thanks to the mushroom, tremella fuciformis sporocarp (4x more moisturising than Hyaluronic acid!), but it also targets 8 signs of ageing....

Brightness, Smoothness, Firmness, Density, Elasticity, Hydration, Texture and Evenness. 

It has a lovely scent to it, not too over-powering and sinks in so quickly. You feel as though your hands have had a drink of water. They feel silky smooth and not at all greasy or icky. I find I am able to get on with typing or whatever I was doing more or less straight away.

As for the ageing, I can't really comment however it is nice to know I am taking steps just like in my facial skincare for ageing hands.

I highly recommend this hand cream.  You can get it from boots sometimes on a 3 for 2. They do a small 30ml size and a big 100ml.

The 30ml size is just the right size to pop in your bag and best of all it's a plastic tube so won't burst or get squashed like the foil tubes.

Have you tried Hand Chemistry Cream? What were you're thoughts xx

Indeed labs: Retinol Reface My thoughts

"Good skincare is a marathon not a race" this is the philosophy of Indeed Labs.

The only skin care I have tried from their range is their hydraluron jelly which I love and use regularly. My review can be found here: Indeed Labs Hydraluron Jelly moisturiser.

So I thought I would dip my toe even further into their range as boots had £5 off ... also I want to begin more of an anti-ageing routine. 

Hence...

Retinol Reface

What this is...

 Is a retinol skin re-surfacer serum that helps to target the appearance of fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles.

Retinol Reface by Indeed Labs contains not one but 3 forms of retinol:

Rapid action retinol helps to accelerate the retinol activities for rapid results

Retinol Micro-Spheres, ensure a slow release over time as the retinol is encapsulated in plant based micro-spheres.

Retinol like peptide, provides the same benefits as retinol but is known to be less irritating.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a derivitive of Vitamin A. It is considered to be beneficial in fighting the signs of ageing.

It is generally recommended you won't start seeing the results until at least 12 weeks if not longer, hence the marathon! So it is a waiting game, but I will say it is a nice serum that doesn't aggravate or irritate my skin. I don't have any wrinkles yet but I am hoping that with use of retinol I'll stave them off a tiny bit longer. Here's hoping!!

Garnier New Sleeping Night Cream Moisturiser Review

Anti-ageing & De-Tiring are the two words that caught my eye on this new skincare release from Garnier. 
Not really sure 'De-tiring' is an actual word but I took it to mean rested and well.. not tired!

Promises to:
Rehydrate, revive, illuminate, rejuvenate , firm and smooth.

After first application I was actually surprised how smooth it made my skin feel. But what intrigued me the most was the texture of this cream .... it's a cream but almost a gel consistency almost like really thick custard. 

You can turn the pot upside down and it doesn't budge, believe me I tried!

As for the cream itself, it smells divine. Not over powering at all, (we all know I am very particular about smells). Almost a fruity fresh scent with a hint of lavender. Once applied it's not sticky or greasy and best of all won't end up smeared all over your pillow or hair as it sinks in quite quickly.

So what's in it?

LHA :

This acts a bit like salicylic acid in that it decreases the bacteria concentration within the pores. Great if you suffer from spots.

Adenosine:

Is an anti-inflammatory ingredient

Albizia:

Helps to improve the texture of the skin

Hyaluronic acid:

Adds intense hydration to the skin whilst plumping

Ruscus extract:

Helps to boost the skins circulation

Jojoba oil:

Softens your skin without clogging your pores, as-well as being anti inflammatory

Essential lavender oil: 

Helps to promote sleep and helps with anti-ageing too

The idea of a sleeping cream is the body does its best rejuvenating work at night. Cells get renewed and your body reverses free radical damage caused throughout the day. 

Overall, it is a lovely hydrating night cream that does a great job of moisturising your skin whilst you sleep. I have only been using it for a few weeks now but I like it, hasn't irritated or caused any spot breakouts.

Have you tried this night cream? What did you think?