Tag: busy bees

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% & Zinc 1% Review

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It’s safe to say that The Ordinary is taking over skincare. They sell effective yet affordable products by doing away with the extras. By extras I mean extravagant packaging and unnecessary ingredients. This means that what you get is literally what it says on the bottle.

I would say I have combination skin, with my dry patches congregating around my nose, mouth and between my eyebrows (sorry TMI). I also suffer from eczema, so dry patches are inevitable. I was looking for something that would target my breakouts, but not dry my skin out. After watching a couple youtubers recommend The Ordinary’s products, I decided to give Niacinamide 10% & Zinc 1% a go.

Review

According to The Ordinary’s website, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) reduces skin blemishes and congestion in pores. The high concentration of Niacinamide (10%) works alongside Zinc (1%), which consists of Zinc to target sebum production.

Breakdown

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) helps to prevent against environmental damage such as UV rays, pollution and toxins by encouraging skin cell reproduction. It also helps to build a ceramide (lipid) barrier which locks in moisture. This is worth noting if you suffer from eczema or have mature skin. A secondary effect of this is that it helps to minimise pores over time as moisture levels become regulated. It’s also found to reduce acne because of its inflammatory benefits.

Meanwhile, Zinc is well known for its part in maintaining healthy skin. It helps to combat inflammation so is key in fighting breakouts, acne and preventing scarring. Due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties it is often used in nappy rash creams (fun fact).

Despite this, the website warns that:

“While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA reduce the look of blemishes and balance visible sebum activity, neither is a treatment for acne. For persistent acne-related conditions, we recommend the use of Benzoyl Peroxide and/or Retinoic Acid.”.

So do a little bit of research before you start experimenting with your face!

Contraindications (taken straight from www.theordinary.com)

“If topical Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid and/or Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid) is used as part of skincare, it should be applied at alternate times with this formula (ideally Vitamin C in the PM and this formula in the AM). Otherwise, Niacinamide can affect integrity of the Vitamin C.”

Directions

The Ordinary recommends applying both AM and PM before heavier moisturisers. Do not apply to broken skin and make sure to perform a patch test prior to use. It is also not suitable for children (obviously).

Ingredients (taken straight from www.theordinary.com)

“Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.”

The serum is cruelty free, vegan, alcohol free, nut free, silicon free, oil free and gluten free, so the fussiest of us out there shouldn’t have a problem. It has a ph of 5.5 – 6.5 and is not water free. The product is a clear, slightly tacky consistency that absorbs into the skin easily.

Packaging

The product comes in a frosted glass bottle. A pipet is attached to the screw lid to help with application (I always feel very extra when applying this).

Price

The serum is currently priced at £5 (I know, a bargain) for 30ml. You can purchase the serum from most online retailers such as Cult Beauty, BeautyBay and of course The Ordinary’s website. I’ve been using this product for about a year now and I find that I renew it once every 4/5 months.

My verdict:

I’ll be honest, at first, I wasn’t impressed. I couldn’t see much improvement in my skin. I was applying twice a day originally, AM and PM. However, I found that my foundation didn’t sit very well on top so I stopped applying in the AM. After a couple weeks I was convinced It wasn’t doing much. I gave up for a couple of days but I started to breakout. After introducing the serum again in the PM, my skin pretty much cleared. So the serum prevents and clears my skin with continued use. Since then I’ve sworn by it, and I’m currently on my third bottle.

The application instructions advise you apply AM and PM, but I find that it isn’t compatible with my foundation. When I start to blend it makes my foundation go streaky and patchy. Having said that, applying it once a day is fine if I don’t skip a day, but I don’t suffer from acne. I’ve only tried the Body Shop fresh nude foundation over the top as this is my go to, so you may have a different experience with a different foundation.

Summary

I love this serum! This is my most frequently used and repurchased product from The Ordinary and is one of the few products I travel with. If I don’t my skin pays for it after a couple of days. I’ve recommended it to family and friends who both suffer from acne, and so far, they seem impressed by it. It’s vegan, cruelty free and doesn’t contain nasty oils or minerals either so there isn’t much to not like.

Thanks for listening to my rambling, I hope this is useful! Feel free to drop me a message if you have questions or if I have missed anything.

Lots of love,

G x

The Ordinary Website Cult Beauty Website Beauty Bay Website

P.S All opinions expressed are my own based on my personal experiences. All products I have purchased myself unless otherwise stated.

The Ordinary Caffeine 5% & EGCG solution

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I’m very unlucky in the sense that I always have large, dark circles under my eyes. it doesn’t matter how much sleep I manage to get, I really struggle to get rid of them. As you can imagine, it’s difficult to cover with makeup. After a little research I decided I would tackle the root of the problem opposed to covering it with concealer. Based on previous products by The Ordinary, I was eager to try their Caffeine 5% & ECGC solution.

Review

The serum includes a high concentration of caffeine, which is supplemented with Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Not to state the obvious, but caffeine is a stimulant (shocker). The aim of the solution is to wake the eyes up (no pun intended). However, some would point out that this contradicts what research is concluding about the negative effects of caffeine? Continue reading and ill (attempt) to explain the logic behind this product. I also won’t be offended if you just skip the background and head straight to the ingredients.

Background (Sorry this is rather sciency)

Caffeine has been linked to dark circles and puffiness under the eye (decaf is the way forward). This is because consumed caffeine is known to dehydrate cells and narrow blood vessels. Caffeine applied topically works from the outside in so effects the skin differently. Caffeine constricts blood vessels at this level, pushing the blood back into the main circulatory system which is under deeper layers of skin around the eye. Skin will feel firmer because of the removal of fluids and stimulation of the lymphatic drainage system (which removes anything that shouldn’t be in the blood). Alongside reducing puffiness and dark circles.

Another factor that impacts the effectiveness of caffeine applied topically is its ability to penetrate the skin. The skin around the eyes is significantly thinner than other parts of the body. This means that the solution is able to penetrate further and so is more likely to be effective when applied (nope I’m not a nerd, just a making use of google).

Meanwhile, EGCG is derived from green tea leaves, which has multiple health benefits. But in relation to our eyes, it’s a powerful antioxidant that combats puffiness and dark circles. This works alongside its anti-inflammatory properties and compliments the effects of caffeine. This is achieved by properties of EGCG that help to reactivate dying cells.

The Ordinary points out how hollow eye contours are a result of the structure of sub-dermal tissues such as fat and bone. This can result in shadows under the eyes, sometimes mistaken for dark circles. Fat also collects under the eye contour and can create permanent puffiness. Therefore, these problems cannot be improved with topical skincare such as this formula so its worth figuring out if this contributes towards any puffiness or dark circles.

Ingredients (as listed on www.theordinary.com)

“Aqua (Water), Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Urea, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan gum, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.”

The solution doesn’t contain alcohol, oil, silicone, nuts, gluten, is cruelty free and vegan. However, it is not water free and has a ph of 4.5 0 5. The solution has a yellowish transparent colour.

Application

The ordinary recommend that a small amount is applied to the eye contour AM and PM. Discontinue use if there is irritation, and do not apply to broken skin. Patch test and keep out of use for children. I found that a little goes a long way, so you only need a little dollop.

Price

The solution is currently priced at £5.80 for a 30 ml bottle. You can purchase it from multiple online retailers such as Cult Beauty, BeautyBay and The Ordinary’s website.

Packaging.

The product comes in a glass product, identical to most of the ordinary’s products. However, the glass is dark brown which is UV-protective as EGCG is sensitive to light. There is a screw lid with a pepett attached, which is also glass. The bottle comes in a cardboard box identical to the packaging on the bottle.

My Verdict

As with most of the ordinary products the serum comes in a brown glass bottle with a screw lip. A pipet is attached to the lid, so application is easy, and the packaging is environmentally friendly. I originally applied AM and PM for about a month and a half. But unfortunately, I failed to notice a change in the bags under my eyes. So I felt that the serum was a waste of money because of how ineffective it was on reducing my dark circles.

One concern I have when I add a new product into my morning skincare routine is how it will react with my makeup. However, it didn’t affect the application or durability of my foundation. Another positive is the price, at £5.80 it lives up to The Ordinary’s name of selling affordable products.

Unfortunately, when I applied the solution, I felt a burning sensation. I wouldn’t describe my skin as sensitive, but I’ve never had my skin react this way before. I can’t even bring my myself to finish the bottle. As the skin around your eyes is so sensitive, I didn’t way to risk aggravating or making my bags worse.

Summary

This is my least favourite product by The Ordinary and arguably the most disappointing. Based on previous products I’ve tried my expectations were high. The reviews one the website was so positive, and I couldn’t wait to try it. But unfortunately, my experience wasn’t as successful. The solution is cheap at only £5.80, but if it doesn’t work then there is no point in purchasing it. So, sadly no, I wouldn’t recommend or repurchase.

Thank you for staying with me! I know that got a little scientific, but I hope you found it useful! Let me know if you have any recommendations for an under-eye solution as I’m still on the hunt for one (help a gal out).

Lots of love,

G x

P.S. All opinions are my own based on my personal experience. All products have been purchased by me unless otherwise stated.

The Ordinary Cult Beauty BeautyBay