According to an esthetician, here are the best serums from The Ordinary and some of the top skincare ingredients to look for!

 

Niacinamide 

Niacinamide 10% And Zinc PCA - $6

This is one of the best Ordinary products of all time. Because of how well it works on both oily and dry skin types, it's a best seller.

 

What does niacinamide do?

The key ingredients, niacinamide and zinc, help to regulate sebum production. Although our skin naturally makes sebum, it can be bothersome, especially when it leads to blackheads or enlarged-looking pores. That's why things like niacinamide come in handy. Although niacinamide or vitamin B3, can’t shrink pores, it can make pores appear smaller. 

 

Niacinamide is wonderful because it can also help with a little pigmentation. It won't stop your skin from producing pigment, but it does prevent hyperpigmentation from spreading. 

 

Cassandra loves niacinamide for anyone with acne-prone skin, and she uses it all the time. Niacinamide helps to regulate oil production, and it’s good for blemish-prone skin. If you’re dry, you can still use this, but Cassandra recommends layering it with a moisturizer. On the other hand, people with oily skin should probably use this with a moisturizer.

 

Overall, this is amazing for oily, combo, and dry skin, and it can be used during the day or night. 

 

Pycnogenol 

 

Pycnogenol 5% - Best Serums From The Ordinary - $11.50

This is a super potent antioxidant serum that truly rivals vitamin C. In fact, it might be even better than vitamin C! Vitamin C, especially L ascorbic acid, can cause stinging, burning, and irritation on some skin types.  

 

How do I use pycnogenol?

Simply take one or two dots and apply it to the skin. Because it provides antioxidant benefits, it’s wonderful to use in the morning, and it can even boost up sunscreen by protecting you from free radical damage. 

 

So, if you live in a polluted city, this is wonderful to have on hand. It’s fragrance-free as well, but given that it comes from pine trees, it does have an earthy scent. So, this could sensitize some skin types.

 

But generally, this is still a great option for skin types that don’t tolerate vitamin C well. 

 

L Ascorbic Acid Powder - Best Powder From The Ordinary - $6.60

Speaking of vitamin C, this is pure L ascorbic acid. This can be difficult for people to use, and it’s not a top seller because a lot of people don’t know how to use it. But, as a medical esthetician, Cassandra loves mixing this with other products.

 

What is L ascorbic acid? 

 

There are many different forms of vitamin C.  L ascorbic acid is the least stable, meaning it degrades easily. Because L ascorbic acid serums degrade so easily, this powder form is an esthetician fave. Anytime you want vitamin C, you can just use it fresh and mix it.  

 

Ascorbic acid is water soluble. So, it’s going to work best when mixed with water-based formulas. If you use an oil-based formula, it’s going to feel gritty. 

 

Peptides

 

Basic peptide Serum The Buffet - $19.90

Cassandra loves this for mature skin and dry skin. But, you can even use it on oily skin during the day or night! However, Cassandra prefers to use this at night because the peptides are so hydrating and soothing. 

 

Plus, there's hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid holds moisture in the skin by combining with water molecules. Likewise, it prevents moisture from evaporating. As a result, hyaluronic acid plumps the skin, helps with fine lines, and imporves wrinkles. 

 

Pink Soothing Barrier Support Serum With B12 - $17

When you first look at this product, you might think, "Wow, pass - this has dyes." But, no. The pink color is from the vitamin B12 or “cyanocobalamin” within it. Yes, the pink color is natural, and there are no artificial dyes. Along with the B12, there are also a bunch of other antioxidants.

For oily skin, this could work as both a serum and moisturizer. But, for people with dry skin, it’s best to use this with a moisturizer. The barrier support serum can be used day or night, and it will help to soothe your skin barrier.

 

Fine Lines & Wrinkles Multi Peptide + Copper  Peptide 1% Serum  - $32

If you need wrinkle support and hydration, this is amazing. Copper peptides are phenomenal at plumping up the skin. So, this formula not only rehydrates the surface layers but also the deeper layers. 

Because of the copper peptides, this may not layer the best with other products. So, you can use it during the evening. And if you use it with a retinoid, this product is an exceptional graceful aging treatment. 

 

AHAs

 

Glycolic Acid Toning Solution 7% - $13

This is an intense AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) toner, and you shouldn’t necessarily use this every day. The molecules are very small so they penetrate very deeply. This could irritate some skin types, but at the same time, it won’t dehydrate the skin the way a BHA might.  You shouldn’t necessarily use this every day, but it does work well for exfoliating both oily and dry skin. 

 

It even works well during the winter, and it’s best used at night. The following morning though, you still need to wear a susncreen. 

 

Best Cleanser with no residue: Glucoside Foaming Cleanser  - $12.50 

This cleanser contains phytic acid, which is a mild AHA that tones and exfoliates. This isn’t a serum, but if you’re looking for a simple, effective, and affordable cleanser to pair with these serums, this is one of the best. This is a nice, gentle foaming cleanser. It’s still hydrating, but the glucoside foam breaks down dirt. This contains very gentle ingredients and no fragrance. It also doesn’t leave a film on the skin, is very easy to rinse off, and gives you a clean canvas before putting other products. You can use it as a body cleanser as well. 

Salicylic acid

Chemical Peel AHA BHA Peeling Solution -$9.50

As a medical esthetician, this is one of Cassandra’s favorites. If you don’t want a full chemical peel, this is a 10-minute, fragrance-free exfoliating solution. 

 

What does The Ordinary’s AHA BHA Peeling Solution do?

Best used at night and followed up with sunscreen, this peeling solution helps with acne and blackheads. It makes your skin look clearer, fresher, more hydrated, and more glowy. However, the salicylic acid concentration can be a little intense for dry skin. 

Chemical peels, including this one, are the main thing that helps with Cassandra’s acne scars. While intense, this does make scars look less obvious and indented. 

 

For Acne and Dry Skin - Anhydrous Salicylic Acid Solution  - $7.50  

This is a more chill option because it's a BHA in oil. It’s anhydrous so there’s no water in it. The Ordinary also has a regular salicylic acid serum at 2%, 

 

Azelaic acid

For Redness: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% - $7.50

Some people don’t respond well to BHAs and AHAs. And in this case, azelaic acid works well. Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, and it’s made naturally by our bodies. Plus, it’s rosacea and pregnancy-safe!

The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension feels like a moisturizer on the skin. And even though it’s not a serum, you can layer this with other serums and even put a thick moisturizer over the top. You can use this in the morning or the night.  Another good choice is Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid Booster 10%. 

 

Retinoids

Starter Retinoid For Wrinkles and Acne Granactiv Retinoid 2% Emulsion  - $12.10

This absorbs well, and you can use it as a starter retinoid. More simply, you can use this to work your way up to a higher percentage or stronger retinoid. This has a creamy texture, but it’s not a full-on moisturizer. This works well for blackheads and acne-prone skin. 

 

You can use it in the morning or the evening, but since the sun breaks down retinoids, it’s probably better to use it during the evening. This can also plump up the skin's deep layers, help with fine lines, and improve acne. 

 

Photocred: Beauty Bay