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The Ordinary is probably the best thing that’s happened to us in a very long time. It’s cheap and the return policy is a breeze. It makes it very easy for people to try out new products that they otherwise wouldn’t, especially the anti-aging ones. If you’ve noticed, they have a whole guide on their site about the proper use of certain solutions. This makes it clear that we need an instruction manual. From a variety of potent skincare products, we want to focus on the best anti-aging products from The Ordinary.
When we talk about anti-aging, we usually talk about expensive products with fancy ingredients. The Ordinary created a line of products that are highly concentrated with only a few additives. The problem is most of us don’t even know what they do.
Here, you’ll find the exact ingredients in these anti-aging products and how you can use them for your concerns like wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, dullness, and scars. Let’s help you decide which The Ordinary products to use for anti-aging.
The Best Anti-Aging Products From The Ordinary
Remember that The Ordinary constantly updates its site and informs people about mixing products. Some of them shouldn’t be used together. These products are highly concentrated and highly effective solutions. The fact that they’re cheap and easily affordable doesn’t mean that they’re harmless.
To avoid damaging your skin, always patch test before you start using the products, always follow the instructions, and always wear sunscreen!
1. The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Let’s clarify 2 things first. Free radicals refer to skin damage from UV, pollution, stress, smoking, and any other external aggressors. These free radicals cause early signs of aging like wrinkles. Antioxidants, on the other hand, neutralize the effects of these free radicals. So, free radicals are the bad guys that make you age. And antioxidants are the good guys that fight these bad guys.
This solution contains two of the most powerful antioxidants; resveratrol and ferulic acid. Resveratrol can be found in several plants. In this case, it’s from Japanese knotweed. It’s proven that resveratrol works on a cellular level to significantly reduce the effects of photo-aging.
Ferulic acid is also a plant-derived antioxidant. Besides its antioxidant properties, it has another important mission. Ferulic acid literally empowers other antioxidants and boosts their effects. These two highly concentrated antioxidants work together as a powerful anti-aging solution.
They fight free radicals and reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles by softening them. This serum can protect your skin from free radicals and repair the existing damage as well. It can help soften the look of lines and give you a healthier complexion.
2. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution
Think of your regular exfoliating scrub. That’s a physical exfoliant. You need to rub that on your face and massage it. Chemical acids, on the other hand, don’t need any rubbing. They do the same thing without your intervention. And trust me, they do it way better!
Alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants. And this product contains a blend of these acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and more). Combining water-soluble and oil-soluble acids make this one super effective in targeting anything from dullness to severe congestion.
Hydroxy acids are some of the most common anti-aging ingredients that rejuvenate the skin by exfoliating it. And with exfoliation, your complexion improves, your lines start to soften, and your skin’s radiance increases. Their additional benefits include minimizing pores by keeping them clean, and evening out the skin tone.
They also reduce wrinkles all around the face, including the ones above the lips. This is absolutely one of the best anti-aging products from The Ordinary. If you have deep-set wrinkles, smile lines, lip lines (from smoking), and enlarged pores, definitely go for this one!
However, if you have very sensitive skin. This one might be irritating. Let me introduce you to lactobionic acid, a poly-hydroxy acid that’s way gentler!
3. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
This one is marketed as a general solution to any blemishes. To make it a multi-purpose one, The Ordinary added Zinc into it. Zinc is an anti-bacterial mineral used in products to fight acne. Concerning anti-aging, acne shouldn’t be a huge deal. After all, we’ve got wrinkles to worry about!
Coming back to my point, our focus is the key ingredient; niacinamide. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. And yes, it also has antioxidant properties. It makes sense that these two ingredients come together. Because niacinamide is also an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It soothes and calms irritated skin.
It’s effective in any pigmentation issues as well. It can be redness from acne or dark spots from aging. Whatever it is, niacinamide brightens the skin and reduces the visibility of any skin discoloration. If you have scarring, oiliness, pigmentation issues, and age spots that are messing with your overall complexion, niacinamide can help with them.
But it doesn’t end there. Niacinamide is also amazing when it comes to supporting the skin barrier. It’s beneficial in restoring the skin barrier. So it kind of prevents a whole cycle of events that end up causing the formation of wrinkles. Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, prevents dehydration, and makes the skin more resilient.
Related: The Best Anti-Aging Products From SkinCeuticals
4. The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
The retinoids category from The Ordinary tackles aging head-on. This category focuses on different types of retinoids. Retinoid is a general term that describes different types of vitamin A and retinol is just one of them. And that’s what we’ll be focusing on for now.
Retinol is one of the most effective anti-aging skincare ingredients. Retinol reduces wrinkles, removes spots, and scars, improves skin texture, and so much more. The way it works is strange, though.
Retinol “damages” the skin and promotes skin turnover. It constantly renews the skin and resurfaces a healthier layer. Doing that, it softens wrinkles and retexturizes the skin, giving you a healthier complexion. The downside is how irritating it can be. It dries out the skin and makes it sensitive to anything!
Squalane, on the other hand, keeps the skin’s moisture levels in check. It restores the skin’s barrier and keeps your skin plump and hydrated. Plus, it minimizes redness and irritation. So, it makes sense to use retinol with squalane. It’ll help minimize the drying and irritating effects of retinol.
If you’re just starting to implement retinol in your skincare routine, start with this light concentration and let your skin adjust to it. This is an effective anti-aging product from The Ordinary that helps smooth out skin texture, soften the look of lines, and reduce the signs of aging.
The Ordinary also offers Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane. They claim that this artificial retinol is as effective as our old-school retinol, minus the irritating side effects. This can also be an option if you prefer to start out even more gently.
5. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
You must’ve heard that there are different types of vitamin C and pure vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is one of the most powerful antioxidants. In skincare, vitamin C brightens the complexion, promotes collagen and elastin growth, revitalizes dullness, and energizes the skin for a more youthful appearance.
It also prevents and treats UV damage. Combining this anti-aging essential with hyaluronic acid makes this solution one of the best anti-aging products from The Ordinary. If you’re suffering from dullness and uneven skin tone, this is the perfect solution to add to your routine.
It’ll improve your complexion, fade away dark spots, and keep the skin hydrated and plump at the same time. The Ordinary advises us against the use of some forms of vitamin C with other products. Click here to check out their guide on how to implement the products in your skincare to avoid potential irritations.
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