@@lindseyivy9532 pretty certain that is what they meant - putting the product on for however long it’s advices, and wait for twenty-four hours before making up ones mind whether the product is for them or not
I absolutely love the peeling solution and have been using it for about 5 yrs 1-2x a month and use it on my girls to help their acne too. Again though I did extensive research on how to use the product and talked to a skincare expert for recommendations on how to use it.
I am no expert, but discovering later in life that I have sensitive skin, I made a lot of research and made sure to follow instructions and recommendations to a T. I love their products, are one of a few which don’t break my skin out, and the peeling works great!
In addition to doing a patch test, the other thing I would suggest if you're starting something like a chemical exfoliant, is to start out by doing less than the directions call for. Like, if the directions say to use it every day, start out by using it every other day. If the directions say to leave it on for 10 minutes, start out by leaving it on for 4 minutes. If you're not seeing results, gradually increase the frequency or time. It's better to start off with too little than to start off with too much and get a chemical burn that takes weeks to heal.
Same! It is so individual how we react to things. I love the pink serum but my partner immediately felt it burning! Who knows what exactly caused the reaction, but we wouldn't have known before testing it.
So the issue is not the ordinary but User error. Got it. That's what I expected. Sorry to these people that had this random outbreak from using a product but we also don't ban all nuts because some people are DEATHLY allergic so should be the same logic for skincare. Let's not criticize the nuts or people's bodys but accepting that it's just unfortunate.
I would disagree. A peel of that strength most people dont have the education to know how to use properly and it’s unreasonable to expect that of an average consumer. Even used as directed I have concerns
@emerson23946 but if you're putting strong chemical peel, shouldn't you research about it. there's plenty of items regular folk can buy and destroy themselves in the process. being informed is the number one priority.
@@emerson23946 It's not unreasonable to expect consumers to educate themselves about things that could affect their health. I mean, it's acid. You're putting acid on your face. The Ordinary doesn't hide the fact that it's acid, it can burn you, and that you must use it with caution.
I used their retinol once many years ago, before that I used BHA frequently and my skin was pretty strong at that moment, but when I changed from BHA to that retinol my chin had a breakout, had been used retinol 1time/3day, only at night routine so I don't think that user's error. Maybe their product is not suitable for everyone, but it can cause some problems
I think a lot of this to could be people discovering they're allergic to certain ingredients. It isn't skincare but as an example I have cats and eventually I developed asthma. Turned out I am allergic to cats and most plants in my area when id been fine with them for a long time before. People forget you can develop allergies randomly.
I always tell people to do an allergy test before dying their hair. They'll say they always dye their hair and aren't allergic, but you can become allergic at any time. The reaction looks horrific, so I always did an allergy test when I used to dye my hair.
I grew up spending most of my time out doors and immersed in nature. As an adult, I can have allergies so bad that I have to take a histamine blocker before I walk from the house to the car. Even then I will still puff up little. So yeah, more people need to realize that you can aquire allergies.
@@kellysueballard7654This. Same. Spent a lot of my time in nature, love it. All of a sudden, as perimenopause arrived it brought severe unspecified pollen alergie with it. I have a break durring winter, every other season is on pills. 😔
I've developed allergies to the salicylic acid serum mentioned and another mild exfoliating essence. I did the patch test and had been using it for months before my face swelled. I don't blame the companies. Unfortunately, these things happen. At least now I'm aware
I developed an allergy to cosmetics toothpaste, deodorant an color cosmetics like makeup. I also developed an allergy to a common flora that’s everywhere in my region.
I just wanted to thank you for sharing all your experience and knowledge with us over the years. I went to pick up some glycolic acid in Boots the other day, and there was a lady standing in front of the display. I said "excuse me", and she moved aside, then said "can you help me"? She had some recommendations of products from her friends, and she wanted to know what they'd do for her. I asked her what she wanted to do for her skin, and I found her products that would do the things she wanted. She left very happy, and I was only able to do that because I have watched your channel and learned so much from it. Thank you, James. You made a random lady in Boots very happy. 😊 Xx
I wish I could run into you when I’m buying skincare haha. I am trying to educate myself (recently found James’ channel and followed) but it is so confusing! Probably even more so because I have multiple issues with my skin*. I have also found it really difficult to parse out genuine recommendations from people who are just trying to sell a product they got paid to promote or get a commission from. And there is such a massive volume of conflicting advice and information out there! Do you have any tips for learning to navigate the world of skincare advice online? *in case you’re curious lol: blackheads, pores/sebum especially on my nostrils, dry flakey skin, what I think is cystic acne on my chin, uneven skin tone, etc. I would be deeply grateful for any product/ingredient recommendations if you have them! I have seen 2 different dermatologists over the past ~2 ish years but they both only prescribed retin-A (the 2nd one increased the potency of the Retin-A was using) and didn’t offer any solutions for the other stuff aside from gentle cleanser and moisturizer, which I already do. I think this might be because they are dermatologists I saw through my healthcare (unfortunately I am in the US and thus have to pay an exorbitant amount for healthcare, sigh) that I was referred to my by Primary Care doctor, so their job is likely primarily identifying serious health-related skin concerns, over more cosmetic concerns. Unfortunately seeing a cosmetic dermatologist here is insanely expensive. The Retina-A is helpful, I think, in sometimes keeping the cystic acne at bay, but it doesn’t seem to do much in regard to my other problems. Even just figuring out how to deal with pores and blackheads, beyond using those pore nose strips, would be life changing. I didn’t mean for this to be so long, I started venting lol, totally understand if you can’t/don’t want to answer all of these questions! 😊
@@alexandraw6264 hi there! Regarding the blackheads/pores on your nostrils : Like you I used to use those pore strips (while they do feel satisfying to use when your nose looks like a strawberry, I don't find them effective long term) If it's available to you some Rhassoul clay might do the job for you (it's either a paste already prepared or just the powder form that you mix with water) you use that as a cleanser in the area you want. If you know the channel Doctorly they have many videos about sebaceous filaments which you might find helpful. As for cystic acnee, Godspeed friend, that one is a bitch 😅
Personally James I believe that it’s the consumers responsibility to understand their skin and know what works best for them. I’ve been in the beauty retail world for about 15 years and it’s easy for me to write off something like that but even so I always do prior research to educate myself and I always ask for samples when trying a new product. Can some of these brands do a little more in the sense of education? Sure, perhaps but ultimately I think it’s in the consumers hands. I’ve been a victim of skincare and it acting so poorly with my skin so I definitely feel for these people. One time had a full on chemical burn around my mouth area that scabbed and peeled. Ironically wait saved it was the Clinique product that I believe they no longer make anymore that was for burns? Something along those lines.
I am not a chemicist. I can't analyze or understand when something is toxic or dangerous. That's what I would think professionals figures out before a product hits the shelves. If that's done correctly that's when we, the consumers take over the responsibility.
I agree so much! Conscious consumerism isn't even a concept anymore. People will haphazardly buy what's trending and promoted by an influencer with three filters and 5 ccs of botox/filler and then crib when it doesn't suit them. Always consult a derm if you don't think research is your forte, be a conscious consumer. Brands have the necessary information disclosed - ingredients, how to use and product targets. I don't think they're under any obligation to provide more info. Any there's so many platforms breaking down each ingredient of these products and rating them on scales of irritation and comedogenity, consumers have all the resources to make a conscious choice.
@@charisma-hornum-friesEvery persons skin and biome is different. Chemists can only provide general advice when a product is made available to billions of people.
@@charisma-hornum-friesnone of these ingredients are toxic or dangerous when used correctly. it is the consumers job to follow directions and recommendations before product use
I appreciate the Ordinary because I have multiple allergies, so their simple formulations are great. Those "all-in-1" skincare items often include things I'm allergic to.
I wonder if some of these people had had their facial hairs shaved or plucked or waxed in the 48 hours before they slapped exfoliating chemicals on their skin. It's something I learned to take into consideration and tailored my routine accordingly. I'm lucky that, despite my skin's tendency to easily scar from living life normally, the chemicals in skincare don't affect its appearance too badly, outside of brief redness and tingling. Still, can't overlook that
The Ordinary and especially their AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the only thing that has successfully tamed my very problematic skin (cystic acne and extremely dry). I’ve used their products for >5 years and previously been on every medication under the sun including isotretinoin/accutane. It’s amazing that the products are so simple (often with only one ingredient) so you can easily remove/add ingredients to your routine. And no perfume! People not being able to follow basic instructions and/or being allergic to ingredients is not the fault of the company.
I once had a gnarly reaction to an Old Spice deodorant, that concluded in both armpits getting chemical burns. It was brutal. I reached out to them about it and they where so professional. The first thing they did was ask me the location and time frame I had purchased the item, as that was absolutely not a good sign and they fully wanted to reach out to the location to have them pull the products and send them back to them because, from what i was told, that meant something was wrong in the formula or they where selling expired product. They did offer me a coupon as well for if I ever wanted to try their products again, but the person was also very understanding of me not being interested anymore as my this had been my first time using old spice at all
That first person is definitely leaving out key information because there’s no way that you can get chemical burns that bad from gently wiping on two drops of a 2% salicylic acid serum once. If there was an error with the product, that entire batch would be affected and there would have been a lot of chemical burns at that time. The second one looks like she had a sore before using the product (the big one in her early photos seems quite advances compared to the rest of the irritation) and didn’t realise it was a skin infection and not acne. People breaking out from the pink serum and niacinamide are just unlucky, sometimes the holy grail for others sucks for you (this is true for even the most well researched skincare products). None of these are problems with the brand, they’re unfortunate coincidences or user error. Edit: found the article for the first one. I had to read the daily mail for this 🤢. Anyway she said she used “one to two drops”, she didn’t specify two exactly, which sounds like she was trying to downplay how much she used. My guess? She soaked those cotton pads and let them sit on her problem areas like a mask. They are so localised but with no pattern, other than being places where a specific individual might have blemishes at any given time.
Also, this is why to patch test. Niacinamide breaks me out because I'm allergic to it, but I had to find that out. It doesn't break me out during a patch test, because it takes a few days for me to have a reaction.
@ if it was an allergy I’d suspect it to be more of a hives/dermatitis type reaction that covered the whole or at least most of the area it was applied. This is blistering burns (allegedly diagnosed as chemical burns) on isolated parts of the face. There’s something in the way she used it that she’s leaving out, because what she described doing would not lead to this (unless there was a manufacturing error and what was in the bottle was not salicylic acid, however if that were the case then there would have been many more people who experienced the same thing at the same time and possibly a recall, as the entire batch would be contaminated).
Quick question, where are they buying their products, cos sometimes other vendors like TikTok shop might not be selling the original product and that can be just as dangerous
Hmm, literally anything with niacinamide (1% to 2%) I’ve tried using irritated the hell out of my skin and broke me out. I did the testing eliminating the various products to understand which product had this impact on my skin. I had to stop using niacinamide containing products completely and heal my barrier which was ruined. This took 3 to 4 months, it was no fun. Even now, almost a year on my skin is much, much, much more sensitive than it used to be before that unfortunate experience with niacinamide. :(
This is me with vitamin c serums! I've even used different types of vitamin c and ones that have low percentages. No matter what, after a week of use, it completely messes up my skin. Maybe some ingredients just don't work for some people 😕
That's why I get so annoyd that pretty much EVERY beauty influencer recommend niacinamide and other acids as the holy grail. My skin has never been able to tolerate it, it is so sensitive, yet it was recommended as a way of making it more smooth. I even got the recommendation from an estheticien though I said no, vecause,my skin is too sensitove. I stopped goingvto facials etc.all together. Socalled professionels just dont listen if you are... no pun intended, out of the ordinary.
I have skin like boot leather 😅 I never react to anything but cannot tolerate niacinamide. My skin starts itching immediately. Other brands with a little in are ok I cannot tolerate the Ordinary one at all
Having learned the hard, painful way, I take it to heart to patch test and incorporate one new product at a time in my skincare. Or even makeup products, shampoos, soaps. The importance of this subject can't be over emphasized, good for you to make videos like this.
So as a skin care newbie the ordinary falls straight into my wheelhouse. And I didn't know what I should buy. But you know what? Before buying anything I went and did some research online. I found the idea of patch testing, introducing one product at a time. Starting low and slow, etc etc. And you know what the ordinary didn't ruin my skin! People need to take responsibility for what they put on their face.
The clear and yellow liquid from the blisters is serum/blood serum, and it's present in most kinds of skin injuries. I even had it while some stitches were healing. The blisters are bad but the serum is normal. If the serum looks cloudy or greenish or has puss or a bad smell, go to the doctor as those are signs of infection.
I actually did get a small chemical burn from their Aha peel, but it was actually my fault. They have instructions on the bottle to avoid any moisture while using it and I had left a bit of water on my face. So I can't blame the brand.
I tried the pink barrier and I had the same reaction and I was surprised since I heard good reviews. Same thing with their retinol product. I stopped using the ordinary serums. Their moisturizer was the only item that I had no side effects to. Now I just use basic antibacterial soap + squalene and cerave vitamin c + cream at night. I’m 35 and people say I look 25 lol so skin care is important for me. Theres no need to try extra stuff if your basics work.
please look into the antibacterial soap, if it's benzoyl peroxide then it's good, but if it has triclosan or other similar general antibiotic I would recommend to change it for benzoyl peroxide. panoxyl has bar soaps and facial cleansers if I remember correctly
I swear by The Ordinary; I've used their products for approximately 7 months and my skin's immaculate-reduced acne scarring I've had for 13 years. Cannot fault them personally 🙋🏻♀️
exactly! I never patch test, but I've also broken out in hives before from a product without making it the companies problem. gotta follow directions or be willing to accept the consequences!
@kyleeissomajestic right I don't always patch test if I'm familiar with the ingredients but I would never put it online cause it would be my fault. People these days don't take responsibility for their own actions...I feel extremely old after saying that 😒
This is a great reminder to patch test. Years ago, I had a bad reaction. I heal from it. I just would never want to go through what I did for over a couple of weeks. Still today, I forgot to patch test. Thanks for the reminder 😉
That first girl 😂😂 her filter lmao she didn’t even look like the same person without the filter 😂 Sorry but I don’t think you can blame a product for your own fault, and your own sensitive skin. People need to READ THE LABELS. Read the ingredients. Jesus My skin absolutely loves The Ordinary. I have to keep the niacinamide in my cupboard at all times. My skin absolutely loves it. The Ordinary Niacinamide and CosRx Snail Mucin is my star skincare combo. It keeps my skin soooo clear!
That CosRX snail music is the GOAT. I live in an incredibly cold area (it’s -32F windchill today) and my skin chaps all winter long, but since I started using the snail mucin, I have lovely, bouncy skin every day, no matter how cold or windy outside.
My friend broke out after using their niacinamide but gave her bottle to me, and it's fine of course. Except I was already considering phasing it out of my routine for more broad serums, but I'm still using it 😅😅 I have a cat hair stuck to my face and I can't get rid of it either.
Love The Ordinary!! Makeup/skincare was my Covid hobby and TO was a great way to start. I love the 30%, but only every few weeks and for a specific 9 minutes. I always test something behind my ear. And for 24 hours.
My understanding is never use a product on irritated skin, and you should patch test somewhere it won't show, not on your cheek. In any event, Ive never used this line because their packaging just isn't attractive to me 😅
I am middle aged and I LOVE the peeling solution. I have to pay $20 shipping from the UK to get it because it is not sold in Australia. I’m now worried people will panic, not realise that these problems are either user error or complete anomalies, and get it banned. Dx
With sensitive skin, I do a patch test over 2 days because you never know what will be an issue. I also appreciate that The Ordinary even tells you what products not to use together... for example their Niacinamide with Vitamin C. I always tell people NEVER use their Glycolic acid with their Niacinamide 😐. Like the aesthetic behind you on the shelves. Cheers!
I have been using their alpha arbutin serum for months. My skin is sensitive, so when I started using it I switched to a basic moisturizer and cleanser (no actives). My skin has been loving it without any issues. I did also started using it 1 day a week and built up to using it every other day.
The scariest thing about some skincare products is that there are children who have started using them like it's somehow normal for little girls to be concerned with remaining eternally young, it's gonna make their youthful faces look so damaged before they even reach the age of 18.
Jen luvs deep dive into the ordinary was brilliant im sure you have seen it. I've often got the ordinary and inky list mistook because their packaging is so similar. ❤❤❤
It's up to the customer to know what and how they're using something. Especially with moron parents allowing their 10 yr olds to purchase acidic products. I had a woman with her two daughters come in to make a purchase and the woman decided to use her points to allow her daughter to pick out a freebie and I told her what each product was, and she was about to let her probably 7 year old child pick some "brightening pads", and I had to let her know that the pads contained glycolic acid, which was listed clearly on the packaging. There should be warnings, but would you purchase a high priced power tool and just use it without learning how first?
I can see how niacinamide could trigger irritation if you're sensitive to it, like I am. If i use a product with niacinamide, my skin starts to burn/sting, turns red, and becomes inflamed. Not to say the ingredient is bad, it's incredible for those without sensitivities. It's up to me now that i know to simply avoid it.
Also, The Ordinary has a quiz on their website to help you figure out where to start. It CAN be overwhelming if you’re just starting out and are new to skincare. ❤
I enjoy and refer to Michelle who is Lab Muffin Beauty Science. I’m from Sydney Australia so I do follow her of course. You know your stuff too James so don’t sell yourself short. I’m allergic to many things, in particular metals so I can find them in many things. I found out that I’m allergic to watermelon. It makes me break out in big pimples. How ridiculous is that? I do use to The Ordinary because if I do react then I’m not loosing a huge amount of money. But I’ve never had any problems with them. Thank you. May you all please take care and stay safe. 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
consumers have a responsibility to know how to use a product. especially ones as powerful as the ordinary. There is a plethora of information about how to mix and match products. Do not apply to wet skin, etc. My empathy runs very slim when it comes to people misusing products and then making it so that they're not available to the rest of us who rely on their products
I recently heard that Centella asiatica (aka Cica) can be irritating to those with an allergy to dust mites. I did some research and it seems it’s true. Same with snail mucin.
Skin care is a tool just like any other, if you use it correctly and carefully then you should see good results, if you’re ever unsure then go slow, unfortunately there will always be be a tiny percentage of people who react to anything.
EDIT: I forgot to close the quote from the ordinarys box. The first story with the salicylic 2% , I am holding the product in my hand. My skin is very happy with acids, but I digress. There is a warning on the box, "Patch testing prior to use is advised. Apply the product as directed to a SMALL AREA once a day for three days to test if you are sensitive to this product. If you develop irritation, hives, swelling of eyes and mouth, blisters, or difficulty breathing rise off, cease use, and consult a physician right away. Keep out of reach of children." If you have never used an acid, maybe don't start out with a 2% BHA. I get professional peels monthly and have for 4 years. Not to victim blame, but people need to spot check, research, and ensure your skin can handle it. Work up to higher percentages. Slow and consistency will keep you safe. ❤😊
There was definitely an issue with the reformulation of the SA serum. I had used the old version for years and used another brand while it was unavailable for like - three-four years? Then a couple of weeks into using the new version, the skin around my eyes and eyelids began swelling dramatically. And obviously I don’t use it on my eyes. It was so bad, it began cracking! So I discontinued use, and used another brand with same percentage - no issue. I gave the full unopened bottle I still had to my sister, obv telling her of my reaction but we both thought it was a me-thing. But after some weeks, same thing happened to her. I can see many others have similar issues. It’s not just the BHA causing problems here, it’s something else.
Aurora got impetigo coincidentally after she used the AHA solution. My 7 year old got impetigo and didn’t use any products lol. Why even bring the Ordinary into it? It’s like saying “I used their niacinamide and the next day I got a migraine, but I don’t blame the Ordinary, though I’m dragging their name into it.”
She also used it on what looked like an open wound on her chin. It looked like a cystic acne break out which was then made worse hence the “blisters” the next day
I love being able to get one thing I want to add to my routine, but I always pay attention to what I'm adding in and how it will fit in with other products I'm using. I've had trouble before when I bought something that was the "latest thing". i think there should be more of a push to see skin care as completely individual, not one size fits all.
I’ve been using The Ordinary since 2018. I always did a patch test with each new product I tried. It absolutely felt like I needed a personal chemist to help me put a routine together at first 😂, but once I got the hang of it I felt so empowered to get what I wanted from my skincare products. I also stopped falling for gimmicky fluff advertisers pushed, and learned how to compare labels with the claimed benefits of a product.
I remember in 2017 as a broke Eastern European 18 year old I was so exited to try out this cheap skincare but it just didn't seem to workout. My skin reacted BADLY oh boy!! I broke out from all their products and the NMF moisturiser burnt my skin. I was so disappointed I had so many expectations. Their lines Hylamide (Rip I loved that brand so freaking much) and NIOD worked so much better for me.
I am always very careful when adding something new I have used the Ordinary for ever. But I must admit I do get a bit confused sometimes if I am doing my routine correctly if I add something new. I always patch test as I always am afraid of a reaction. But I love the ordinary. I have never had a problem with thier products. Great video. Glad you addressed this. Than you James,for explaining so well.
I stopped using The Ordinary b/c I ended up doing too many steps in my skincare with their single active products. I got on Retin A for my acne & dark spots and use Hada Labo for my toner & PKY for my serum & moisturizer. Fewer steps with good results.
I use the AHA BHA chemical peel weekly and I love it! I'm careful with it, and I make sure not to use irritating products before or after the peel, and I don't keep it on too long. it's the strongest chemical peel you can get OTC and it's not to be messed with, but if you have a good skin barrier, and you've built it up with retinols, or other products that may give a good irritation, you will be fine.
My skin is pretty sensitive but I’ve never had a problem with The Ordinary’s AHA/BHA acid peel whatsoever. And I layer it pretty liberally, I just make sure I got the alarm set fot 10 minutes (of course my ADHD ass sometimes turns it off then remembers about it 5 minutes later… but other than slightly stinging skin when I do it, no damage). Not that I disbelieve ALL people who did have issues, but it’s definitely not the product’s or company’s fault if you’re allergic to something and you don’t know OR especially if you use the product incorrectly. I’ve had bad reactions to their retinol, but… it just turns out my skin hates retinol. So I don’t use it. At least theirs was quite cheap so it wasn’t much of a waste for me.
I love The Ordinary and have tried most of their products over the last few years. Sometimes it's trial and error to see what works best for you. Right now I use the acid peel then the pink barrier serum right after. I tried using the peel once a week, and 2 dropper-fulls, but it was too much so backed down to 1 dropper-full every 2 to 4 weeks and it's great. And I use the vitamin C serum before sunscreen. I started retinol with their lowest concentration and moved up, never had any irritation. Now I've gone on to Adapalene. I read all the info on their website before purchasing and adjusted things as needed. 💜🖤💜🖤
I know the shops aren't everywhere, but if you go in, the staff really steers you away from the higher strengths and want you to only walk out with 1 Serum at a time
I hate that it’s come to this, but I have such a hard time believing people on TikTok when they say something happened. The way people leave out important info, or straight up lie about things, so they can go viral makes it hard to trust people. (Thinking about the Glamlite situation from a couple months ago.)
Before trying out random things from TikTok you could always just ask your dermatologist. I have pretty sensitive skin so I tend to steer clear of stronger stuff and only use what was recommended by my dermatologist or pharmacy. Still I have irritated my skin with the same products I use every day on occasion by using stuff incorrectly or using it when I should have used something else better suited for my skin condition at the time.
So important to patch test! Once I tried a new SPF (it was a CeraVe AM sunscreen and (me not testing it prior and applied right to my face) burned so badly, and the rest of the day even though I washed it off immediately, looked like I had a gnarly sunburn all over. I did find out years later that I have rosacea and is extremely sensitive. Be careful :)
If one isnt use to chemical peel, use it in a mild clenser no more than ones a week. I love the red 30%, but I use it as a nose mask and only a few minutes, or on the forehead in summer ones a month, love it its not too strong for me. But I think the 30% is a very adult product for people who are use to chemical peels.
"I don't want to blame the consumer" I will. Patch test stuff. Stop buying stuff just because an influencer told you to and actually learn how to use stuff.
I've never tried The Ordinary, but I can appreciate their low price and straightforward ingredients and have considered trying something from them before. I know my skin is very sensitive and easily breaks out over anything. I finally found a skin routine that works for me thanks to my dermatologist, and my skin is clear for the first time in over 15 years. (Thanks, hormones! 🙄) I'm not about to change anything in my skincare routine - if it's not broke, don't fix it!
Everyone's skin is so different, my skin LOVES the pink barrier serum more than any other serum I've used before, I'm currently on my 4th bottle of the stuff.
Way back when i was a teenager I got a prescription hyaluronic acid gel from my dermatologist's office. Then I became an adult with no health insurance and couldn't get it for years. I was *so excited* when i heard about The Ordinary and that i could get hyaluronic acid over the counter. I went through a few bottles of it, then found out Trader Joe's had a comparable hyaluronic serum for around the same price and it was always available in-store vs being randomly backordered online. One day I did a side-by-side comparison of the two and determined the Trader Joe's was *slightly* more plumping, so I switched to it permanently. I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that The Ordinary *is* many peoples first introduction to skincare, or their first time being able to buy actives over the counter that they were previously prescribed by a doctor. Its very easy to go hog wild when it's cheap, available, and you don't have adult supervision!
I've only had positive experiences with the Ordinary. I started with a few basics like the Vit C, Granactive retinol & (then) Buffet peptide serum. Mr Welsh then lured me into adding Korean products and I found a good regime that still works for me today.
I always patch test. I love the Ordinary but I think you should have a good idea about skincare when using their brand. I have used them with no negative reactions. I have sensitive combination skin. Love ❤️ your content.
I use the 10% niacinimide 1% zinc serum and it is my life line. It combined with my witch hazel toner has transformed my oily, acne prone skin into normal skin and has cleared up my skin so well. It's the cheapest thing I can find that's just a serum (not a "balm" or a cream") that also has Zinc. I will never give it up.
I wonder if people may have accidentally gotten counterfeit products? I have used the blue copper peptide serum before and loved it. When I went to repurchase I was perusing the review comment section, & a lot of people’s skin was being COLORED blue!! Definitely someone putting blue dye in cheaper serum because the legitimate product I had did not do that
its difficult, but i think patience may be one of the most important components of a skincare routine. like you mentioned, patch test, introduce one product at a time, and introduce it slowly. if you have sensitive skin, your patch test can be more than just one use. i patch tested the ordinarys azaleic acid twice before use, and started just a couple days a week and worked up to daily. i did the same years ago when i started using a retinoid. but sometjmes you patch test and still have irritation later (heres looking at you acure glycolic acid cleanser). sometimes a product just isn’t for us.
My skin didn't like the pink barrier support serum either, but two of my favorites are the bha/aha 30% and the vitamin c 23% suspension. Both of those get a lot of complaints because they are strong and people don't use them right. I really hope people don't ruin this for me and get them pulled from the shelf. Read the instructions and follow them, pals!
Regarding niacinamide, I absolutely do get bad reactions to it. I got a niacinamide serum that was only 4 percent, and it stung and made my skin red. That's true for most products I've tried with niacinamide in them as well. It's not an extreme reaction, but it does sting and make my skin red and sensitive. So, I think there is truth in people who say they get negative reactions to niacinamide. I hope Lab Muffin Beauty Science releases a video about that conversation you had with her because I'm curious about what she says about it.
Cleanse, essence, serum, sunscreen or night cream every day, gentle exfoliation, face mask once or twice a week, all gentle facecare, seems to work best for me. I find The Ordinary not a good match for my aging skin. Occassionally I may branch out and try a new product, but I always go back to my basic, simple and gentle facecare routine.
Back when I worked at a cosmetics store, we discouraged and sometimes even refused to sell the red aha/bha the ordinary masks to teenagers, who came in with perfect skin wanted to buy it because of tiktok. When we did sell it, we gave explicit instructions on how to use it, and that they shouldn't start with the maximum time precisely because we saw people who did not use it correctly. While I personally use and like the ordinary's products and I like their low-marketing, I think they would do well to set up awareness campaigns about what skintypes/ages need what. I think that would also make the retailers like them more lol, fighting with teens about not wanting them to ruin their face is tiring
It's definitely a lot of user error, and sometimes a product is just not for your skin. I like the limited ingredients because some of them have too much fragrance, etc. I love the salicylic acid, especially on my nose for sebum clogging! The only time I complain when it's watery or fake.
Skincare is definitely a journey to find the one product that best suits your skin. Years ago I stumbled on your video about k beauty products from wish and I've never stopped using dear klair's fundamental water gel ever since 😊
Swapping to The Ordinary was the best thing for my skin after I started testosterone. I've always had oily acne-prone skin, even now at 30, and during my first puberty I ended up on some *extremely* powerful chemical cleansers because my skin was so bad. TO has been fantastic at making my 2nd puberty breakouts much less embarrassing and clear up way faster. BUT I wasn't worried about ordering TO because I know I don't have sensitive skin to facial products and I have used dozens at this point in my life so I'm familiar with what chemicals work better or worse for my skin. Knowing what actives work/ don't work for you, performing a proper patch test, and reading the instructions so you use the products properly will take you a long way
I’m sorry, but for Natasha, she went from having pretty much no routine and using weak weak products, to using straight up chemicals! No wonder her skin freaked out. User error for sure! I have been using The Ordinary for a few years, including all of the products in this video and have never had any problems. But my skin is used to retinal, retinol, vitamin c, and several types of acids. You can’t go from a mole hill to a mountain!
I switched to an Ordinary face wash two weeks ago, and had to stop using the wash after a couple days due to it severely burning the skin under my eyes and eyelids. I do not have sensitive skin, so the burning took me my surprised.
Whenever I start browsing The Ordinary products, I end up not buying anything because it feels like I need a post-doc in chemistry with a graduate degree in biology alongside being a professional dermatologist with 40 years of practice 🤷♀️ I mean, if I use this serum, can I go out in the sun? Can I combine it with this moisturiser? Can I eat oily fish? Can I let morning dew come in contact with my skin on days when Venus is too close to Earth if I applied the serum since the last full moon? I don't know so not going to risk it 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️ x
I love The Ordinary for teaching people (including me!) that the % of active ingredient is all that actually matters in a skin care product. No one needs more than 2-3 steps in a skincare routine.
Except it isn’t. It the formulation as a whole that matters. Some products with lower active percentages can be more effective due to secondary ingredients that aid it in things like skin penetration, lasting longer on the skin, how it interacts with cells, etc…
As a broke girl with a lot of skin issues I freaking LOVE the AHA BHA but I also did a patch test 48 hours before, started with 5 minutes and slowly went up, before I even started I used glycolic acid and salicylic acid to get my skin used to it and I don't use actives the day before or after.... The AHA BHA is definitely my holy grail!
I wonder if the people are just using this one product or are they mixing products? Because some products you should never use together because they can cause irritation (for example Vitamin C and AHA) My face reacts really bad to AHA (with swelling, redness and itching) and it happens also with different products from different brands so it's just my skin and not the ordinarys fault 🤷
IMO a lot of these individuals are too young to be using these products. Everyone wants to look younger and better but the Ordinary they put larger warnings on their products. I have my favorites of their products but, it isn’t easy to figure out when I can use the different products and what can’t be used together.
I do enjoy some products from The Ordinary and Niod. It’s important to patch test. I do wonder if recent explosion of skin layering has contributed to this. Just more ingredients to interact with each other.
i really love the ordinary for the sake of being broken down into the single things i need instead of buying a product with a bunch of different of hopeful results and overloading my face!! i use maybe 3 products regularly and an occasional treatment. i definitely think the biggest issue if definitely user-error and lack of understanding, but i also think the million-step skincare routines also lead to people slathering so many products on their face without thinking of how they react to each other. and ofc younger people using harsh actives that do nothing for them at their age. i understand a want for more warnings, but also i recognize that when i use a product or treatment all over my face without testing it and my skin doesn’t love it, or even breaks out/ gets irritated, its on me and thats just how it goes sometimes. wont work for me but its on the shelves and i can assume it works for another!!
I found out that applying a layer of thick cream BEFORE applying medium to high strength leave on chemical peeling solution actually very beneficial for my sensitive skin. I experienced much less irritation and dryness, more even peeling effect.
I don't have sensitive skin but the Ordinary's niacinamide makes my skin itch immediately. Small amounts in other brands are ok. I went to look at the Ordinary's website and omg the prices have gone up a lot. My fav combo was the resveratol with fulic acid with the EUK. I like the pandemic acid too. I prefer the Inkey List these days
patch test patch test PATCH TEST PLEEK
PLeEKk
Please tell me the pleek is a reference to Rachel Berry in Glee saying “pleek” when she fucked up an audition
PATCH TEST EVERYTHING
@@connyaaaa55551000%
Pleeeek
I don’t know, if I see the word “ACID” written in big bold letters on the bottle, then I’m definitely gonna do an overnight patch test.
Yes!! Inside of wrist and side of the neck. Those are my go-to patch test spots. You can never go wrong with a patch test honestly.
Or "Peel"!
It's not made to be on the skin that long, I'd recommend a 10 minute patch test and then wait 24 hours
@@lindseyivy9532 pretty certain that is what they meant - putting the product on for however long it’s advices, and wait for twenty-four hours before making up ones mind whether the product is for them or not
Doing research on any product is key and how to properly use said products instead of just going off 1 or 2 videos. Esthetician advice too
I absolutely love the peeling solution and have been using it for about 5 yrs 1-2x a month and use it on my girls to help their acne too. Again though I did extensive research on how to use the product and talked to a skincare expert for recommendations on how to use it.
I am no expert, but discovering later in life that I have sensitive skin, I made a lot of research and made sure to follow instructions and recommendations to a T. I love their products, are one of a few which don’t break my skin out, and the peeling works great!
Always spot test!
@@emelymyleslet me guess…..are you my sister sea breeze/apricot scrub survivor?😂
In addition to doing a patch test, the other thing I would suggest if you're starting something like a chemical exfoliant, is to start out by doing less than the directions call for. Like, if the directions say to use it every day, start out by using it every other day. If the directions say to leave it on for 10 minutes, start out by leaving it on for 4 minutes. If you're not seeing results, gradually increase the frequency or time. It's better to start off with too little than to start off with too much and get a chemical burn that takes weeks to heal.
Or even start with an enzyme first, and incorporate a daily tyrosinase inhibitor
Have used The Ordinary for years and will continue to use their products. My skin loves The Ordinary!
Mine too!
Me, too!
Same!
Same! It is so individual how we react to things. I love the pink serum but my partner immediately felt it burning! Who knows what exactly caused the reaction, but we wouldn't have known before testing it.
Yes! Me too.
I love the self empowerment of The Ordinary. My skin loves my routine, and I love the budget.
So the issue is not the ordinary but User error. Got it. That's what I expected. Sorry to these people that had this random outbreak from using a product but we also don't ban all nuts because some people are DEATHLY allergic so should be the same logic for skincare. Let's not criticize the nuts or people's bodys but accepting that it's just unfortunate.
I would disagree. A peel of that strength most people dont have the education to know how to use properly and it’s unreasonable to expect that of an average consumer. Even used as directed I have concerns
@emerson23946 but if you're putting strong chemical peel, shouldn't you research about it. there's plenty of items regular folk can buy and destroy themselves in the process. being informed is the number one priority.
@@emerson23946 It's not unreasonable to expect consumers to educate themselves about things that could affect their health. I mean, it's acid. You're putting acid on your face. The Ordinary doesn't hide the fact that it's acid, it can burn you, and that you must use it with caution.
I used their retinol once many years ago, before that I used BHA frequently and my skin was pretty strong at that moment, but when I changed from BHA to that retinol my chin had a breakout, had been used retinol 1time/3day, only at night routine so I don't think that user's error. Maybe their product is not suitable for everyone, but it can cause some problems
@@emerson23946everyone should educate themselves before using any skincare product, thats just common sense
I think a lot of this to could be people discovering they're allergic to certain ingredients. It isn't skincare but as an example I have cats and eventually I developed asthma. Turned out I am allergic to cats and most plants in my area when id been fine with them for a long time before. People forget you can develop allergies randomly.
I always tell people to do an allergy test before dying their hair. They'll say they always dye their hair and aren't allergic, but you can become allergic at any time. The reaction looks horrific, so I always did an allergy test when I used to dye my hair.
I grew up spending most of my time out doors and immersed in nature. As an adult, I can have allergies so bad that I have to take a histamine blocker before I walk from the house to the car. Even then I will still puff up little. So yeah, more people need to realize that you can aquire allergies.
@@kellysueballard7654This. Same. Spent a lot of my time in nature, love it. All of a sudden, as perimenopause arrived it brought severe unspecified pollen alergie with it. I have a break durring winter, every other season is on pills. 😔
I've developed allergies to the salicylic acid serum mentioned and another mild exfoliating essence. I did the patch test and had been using it for months before my face swelled. I don't blame the companies. Unfortunately, these things happen. At least now I'm aware
I developed an allergy to cosmetics toothpaste, deodorant an color cosmetics like makeup. I also developed an allergy to a common flora that’s everywhere in my region.
I just wanted to thank you for sharing all your experience and knowledge with us over the years. I went to pick up some glycolic acid in Boots the other day, and there was a lady standing in front of the display. I said "excuse me", and she moved aside, then said "can you help me"? She had some recommendations of products from her friends, and she wanted to know what they'd do for her. I asked her what she wanted to do for her skin, and I found her products that would do the things she wanted. She left very happy, and I was only able to do that because I have watched your channel and learned so much from it. Thank you, James. You made a random lady in Boots very happy. 😊 Xx
Awwwww🎉
I wish I could run into you when I’m buying skincare haha. I am trying to educate myself (recently found James’ channel and followed) but it is so confusing! Probably even more so because I have multiple issues with my skin*. I have also found it really difficult to parse out genuine recommendations from people who are just trying to sell a product they got paid to promote or get a commission from. And there is such a massive volume of conflicting advice and information out there!
Do you have any tips for learning to navigate the world of skincare advice online?
*in case you’re curious lol: blackheads, pores/sebum especially on my nostrils, dry flakey skin, what I think is cystic acne on my chin, uneven skin tone, etc. I would be deeply grateful for any product/ingredient recommendations if you have them!
I have seen 2 different dermatologists over the past ~2 ish years but they both only prescribed retin-A (the 2nd one increased the potency of the Retin-A was using) and didn’t offer any solutions for the other stuff aside from gentle cleanser and moisturizer, which I already do. I think this might be because they are dermatologists I saw through my healthcare (unfortunately I am in the US and thus have to pay an exorbitant amount for healthcare, sigh) that I was referred to my by Primary Care doctor, so their job is likely primarily identifying serious health-related skin concerns, over more cosmetic concerns. Unfortunately seeing a cosmetic dermatologist here is insanely expensive.
The Retina-A is helpful, I think, in sometimes keeping the cystic acne at bay, but it doesn’t seem to do much in regard to my other problems. Even just figuring out how to deal with pores and blackheads, beyond using those pore nose strips, would be life changing.
I didn’t mean for this to be so long, I started venting lol, totally understand if you can’t/don’t want to answer all of these questions! 😊
Knowledge is power and kindness ❤
@@alexandraw6264 hi there! Regarding the blackheads/pores on your nostrils : Like you I used to use those pore strips (while they do feel satisfying to use when your nose looks like a strawberry, I don't find them effective long term) If it's available to you some Rhassoul clay might do the job for you (it's either a paste already prepared or just the powder form that you mix with water) you use that as a cleanser in the area you want. If you know the channel Doctorly they have many videos about sebaceous filaments which you might find helpful. As for cystic acnee, Godspeed friend, that one is a bitch 😅
Personally James I believe that it’s the consumers responsibility to understand their skin and know what works best for them. I’ve been in the beauty retail world for about 15 years and it’s easy for me to write off something like that but even so I always do prior research to educate myself and I always ask for samples when trying a new product.
Can some of these brands do a little more in the sense of education? Sure, perhaps but ultimately I think it’s in the consumers hands.
I’ve been a victim of skincare and it acting so poorly with my skin so I definitely feel for these people. One time had a full on chemical burn around my mouth area that scabbed and peeled. Ironically wait saved it was the Clinique product that I believe they no longer make anymore that was for burns? Something along those lines.
Ohhhhh….I remember that
I am not a chemicist. I can't analyze or understand when something is toxic or dangerous. That's what I would think professionals figures out before a product hits the shelves. If that's done correctly that's when we, the consumers take over the responsibility.
I agree so much! Conscious consumerism isn't even a concept anymore. People will haphazardly buy what's trending and promoted by an influencer with three filters and 5 ccs of botox/filler and then crib when it doesn't suit them. Always consult a derm if you don't think research is your forte, be a conscious consumer. Brands have the necessary information disclosed - ingredients, how to use and product targets. I don't think they're under any obligation to provide more info. Any there's so many platforms breaking down each ingredient of these products and rating them on scales of irritation and comedogenity, consumers have all the resources to make a conscious choice.
@@charisma-hornum-friesEvery persons skin and biome is different. Chemists can only provide general advice when a product is made available to billions of people.
@@charisma-hornum-friesnone of these ingredients are toxic or dangerous when used correctly. it is the consumers job to follow directions and recommendations before product use
I appreciate the Ordinary because I have multiple allergies, so their simple formulations are great. Those "all-in-1" skincare items often include things I'm allergic to.
Yeah same, I’m not allergic per se but very sensitive to some ingredients so it’s nice to have very simple formulas.
Absolutely ❤
I wonder if some of these people had had their facial hairs shaved or plucked or waxed in the 48 hours before they slapped exfoliating chemicals on their skin. It's something I learned to take into consideration and tailored my routine accordingly. I'm lucky that, despite my skin's tendency to easily scar from living life normally, the chemicals in skincare don't affect its appearance too badly, outside of brief redness and tingling. Still, can't overlook that
Maybe. But I use the glycolic acid as an aftershave. But they might not have the required knowledge or research to know much.
@@charisma-hornum-friesGood for you. Me for example I can not use it because it burns soo bad. So it really depends on the skin.
And I learnt the hard way that your skin needs to be *completely dry!*
(which it says on the instructions but I'm one of those idiots who doesn't read instructions 😂)
The Ordinary and especially their AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the only thing that has successfully tamed my very problematic skin (cystic acne and extremely dry). I’ve used their products for >5 years and previously been on every medication under the sun including isotretinoin/accutane.
It’s amazing that the products are so simple (often with only one ingredient) so you can easily remove/add ingredients to your routine. And no perfume!
People not being able to follow basic instructions and/or being allergic to ingredients is not the fault of the company.
I'm just a guy with a simple skincare routine... and my face is cool with the Ordinary. and I absolutely love the price point.
I once had a gnarly reaction to an Old Spice deodorant, that concluded in both armpits getting chemical burns. It was brutal. I reached out to them about it and they where so professional. The first thing they did was ask me the location and time frame I had purchased the item, as that was absolutely not a good sign and they fully wanted to reach out to the location to have them pull the products and send them back to them because, from what i was told, that meant something was wrong in the formula or they where selling expired product. They did offer me a coupon as well for if I ever wanted to try their products again, but the person was also very understanding of me not being interested anymore as my this had been my first time using old spice at all
I personally think it’s what people put on _after_ or _with_ these products.
That first person is definitely leaving out key information because there’s no way that you can get chemical burns that bad from gently wiping on two drops of a 2% salicylic acid serum once. If there was an error with the product, that entire batch would be affected and there would have been a lot of chemical burns at that time. The second one looks like she had a sore before using the product (the big one in her early photos seems quite advances compared to the rest of the irritation) and didn’t realise it was a skin infection and not acne. People breaking out from the pink serum and niacinamide are just unlucky, sometimes the holy grail for others sucks for you (this is true for even the most well researched skincare products). None of these are problems with the brand, they’re unfortunate coincidences or user error.
Edit: found the article for the first one. I had to read the daily mail for this 🤢. Anyway she said she used “one to two drops”, she didn’t specify two exactly, which sounds like she was trying to downplay how much she used. My guess? She soaked those cotton pads and let them sit on her problem areas like a mask. They are so localised but with no pattern, other than being places where a specific individual might have blemishes at any given time.
2% salicylic is not going to do anything.
If they were allergic to salicylic acid, then it could happen
Also, this is why to patch test. Niacinamide breaks me out because I'm allergic to it, but I had to find that out. It doesn't break me out during a patch test, because it takes a few days for me to have a reaction.
Yeah, unless she was allergic, I can't see Sal Acid causing chemical burns. I wonder if she'd used it in any other products before.
@ if it was an allergy I’d suspect it to be more of a hives/dermatitis type reaction that covered the whole or at least most of the area it was applied. This is blistering burns (allegedly diagnosed as chemical burns) on isolated parts of the face. There’s something in the way she used it that she’s leaving out, because what she described doing would not lead to this (unless there was a manufacturing error and what was in the bottle was not salicylic acid, however if that were the case then there would have been many more people who experienced the same thing at the same time and possibly a recall, as the entire batch would be contaminated).
Quick question, where are they buying their products, cos sometimes other vendors like TikTok shop might not be selling the original product and that can be just as dangerous
Same with amazon. So yes fake product is an issue sometimes.
Hmm, literally anything with niacinamide (1% to 2%) I’ve tried using irritated the hell out of my skin and broke me out. I did the testing eliminating the various products to understand which product had this impact on my skin. I had to stop using niacinamide containing products completely and heal my barrier which was ruined. This took 3 to 4 months, it was no fun. Even now, almost a year on my skin is much, much, much more sensitive than it used to be before that unfortunate experience with niacinamide. :(
This is me with vitamin c serums! I've even used different types of vitamin c and ones that have low percentages. No matter what, after a week of use, it completely messes up my skin. Maybe some ingredients just don't work for some people 😕
My face can't tolerate vitamin c too.. some niacinamide / hyluronic acid products also cause me breakouts ☹️
That's why I get so annoyd that pretty much EVERY beauty influencer recommend niacinamide and other acids as the holy grail.
My skin has never been able to tolerate it, it is so sensitive, yet it was recommended as a way of making it more smooth.
I even got the recommendation from an estheticien though I said no, vecause,my skin is too sensitove.
I stopped goingvto facials etc.all together.
Socalled professionels just dont listen if you are... no pun intended, out of the ordinary.
I have skin like boot leather 😅 I never react to anything but cannot tolerate niacinamide. My skin starts itching immediately. Other brands with a little in are ok I cannot tolerate the Ordinary one at all
Can't use silicon myself, makes me break out so much.
I use the peeling solution on my heel calluses. Works great for that.
What a great idea 😁
That's what I did as well!
Genius!
Excellent idea!
Well dang, thats a great suggestion!
Unless you’re allergic! Being allergic to these things can also cause those reactions
Having learned the hard, painful way, I take it to heart to patch test and incorporate one new product at a time in my skincare. Or even makeup products, shampoos, soaps. The importance of this subject can't be over emphasized, good for you to make videos like this.
Oh thank goodness, something to watch while the Super Bowl is on 🤣❤️❤️
Preeeeeeeeeach.
Yes lol
👍🙌
So as a skin care newbie the ordinary falls straight into my wheelhouse. And I didn't know what I should buy. But you know what? Before buying anything I went and did some research online. I found the idea of patch testing, introducing one product at a time. Starting low and slow, etc etc. And you know what the ordinary didn't ruin my skin!
People need to take responsibility for what they put on their face.
The clear and yellow liquid from the blisters is serum/blood serum, and it's present in most kinds of skin injuries. I even had it while some stitches were healing.
The blisters are bad but the serum is normal.
If the serum looks cloudy or greenish or has puss or a bad smell, go to the doctor as those are signs of infection.
The Ordinary has been so good for my skin
I actually did get a small chemical burn from their Aha peel, but it was actually my fault. They have instructions on the bottle to avoid any moisture while using it and I had left a bit of water on my face. So I can't blame the brand.
Same 😂
I tried the pink barrier and I had the same reaction and I was surprised since I heard good reviews. Same thing with their retinol product. I stopped using the ordinary serums. Their moisturizer was the only item that I had no side effects to. Now I just use basic antibacterial soap + squalene and cerave vitamin c + cream at night. I’m 35 and people say I look 25 lol so skin care is important for me. Theres no need to try extra stuff if your basics work.
please look into the antibacterial soap, if it's benzoyl peroxide then it's good, but if it has triclosan or other similar general antibiotic I would recommend to change it for benzoyl peroxide. panoxyl has bar soaps and facial cleansers if I remember correctly
I swear by The Ordinary; I've used their products for approximately 7 months and my skin's immaculate-reduced acne scarring I've had for 13 years. Cannot fault them personally 🙋🏻♀️
I'm sorry but if you don't follow the directions it is the customers fault 🤷. And stop doing "research " on freaking tiktok!
exactly! I never patch test, but I've also broken out in hives before from a product without making it the companies problem. gotta follow directions or be willing to accept the consequences!
@kyleeissomajestic right I don't always patch test if I'm familiar with the ingredients but I would never put it online cause it would be my fault. People these days don't take responsibility for their own actions...I feel extremely old after saying that 😒
I just reordered my ordinary peeling solution, but slowly switching to “dear my dew” products….and so far I love it
This is a great reminder to patch test. Years ago, I had a bad reaction. I heal from it. I just would never want to go through what I did for over a couple of weeks.
Still today, I forgot to patch test.
Thanks for the reminder 😉
That first girl 😂😂 her filter lmao she didn’t even look like the same person without the filter 😂
Sorry but I don’t think you can blame a product for your own fault, and your own sensitive skin. People need to READ THE LABELS. Read the ingredients. Jesus
My skin absolutely loves The Ordinary. I have to keep the niacinamide in my cupboard at all times. My skin absolutely loves it. The Ordinary Niacinamide and CosRx Snail Mucin is my star skincare combo. It keeps my skin soooo clear!
That CosRX snail music is the GOAT. I live in an incredibly cold area (it’s -32F windchill today) and my skin chaps all winter long, but since I started using the snail mucin, I have lovely, bouncy skin every day, no matter how cold or windy outside.
I’m a lifetime devotee of their Argireline! My 11s are so soft and nearly invisible, I’m using it as long as they produce it!
I bet Aurora opened her skin barrier and then used masks that were not freshly washed. I noticed she was using cotton masks, not disposable.
I appreciate your love/hate relationship with TO. Too many influencers think it's perfect and perfection doesn't exist.
My friend broke out after using their niacinamide but gave her bottle to me, and it's fine of course. Except I was already considering phasing it out of my routine for more broad serums, but I'm still using it 😅😅
I have a cat hair stuck to my face and I can't get rid of it either.
Love The Ordinary!! Makeup/skincare was my Covid hobby and TO was a great way to start. I love the 30%, but only every few weeks and for a specific 9 minutes.
I always test something behind my ear. And for 24 hours.
My understanding is never use a product on irritated skin, and you should patch test somewhere it won't show, not on your cheek. In any event, Ive never used this line because their packaging just isn't attractive to me 😅
I am middle aged and I LOVE the peeling solution.
I have to pay $20 shipping from the UK to get it because it is not sold in Australia.
I’m now worried people will panic, not realise that these problems are either user error or complete anomalies, and get it banned. Dx
I got mine from eBay. Free postage.
With sensitive skin, I do a patch test over 2 days because you never know what will be an issue. I also appreciate that The Ordinary even tells you what products not to use together... for example their Niacinamide with Vitamin C. I always tell people NEVER use their Glycolic acid with their Niacinamide 😐. Like the aesthetic behind you on the shelves. Cheers!
I have been using their alpha arbutin serum for months. My skin is sensitive, so when I started using it I switched to a basic moisturizer and cleanser (no actives). My skin has been loving it without any issues. I did also started using it 1 day a week and built up to using it every other day.
The scariest thing about some skincare products is that there are children who have started using them like it's somehow normal for little girls to be concerned with remaining eternally young, it's gonna make their youthful faces look so damaged before they even reach the age of 18.
Jen luvs deep dive into the ordinary was brilliant im sure you have seen it. I've often got the ordinary and inky list mistook because their packaging is so similar. ❤❤❤
It's up to the customer to know what and how they're using something. Especially with moron parents allowing their 10 yr olds to purchase acidic products. I had a woman with her two daughters come in to make a purchase and the woman decided to use her points to allow her daughter to pick out a freebie and I told her what each product was, and she was about to let her probably 7 year old child pick some "brightening pads", and I had to let her know that the pads contained glycolic acid, which was listed clearly on the packaging. There should be warnings, but would you purchase a high priced power tool and just use it without learning how first?
Based on numbers of ER visits and busted power drills...yes, people absolutely will do that!
I can see how niacinamide could trigger irritation if you're sensitive to it, like I am. If i use a product with niacinamide, my skin starts to burn/sting, turns red, and becomes inflamed. Not to say the ingredient is bad, it's incredible for those without sensitivities. It's up to me now that i know to simply avoid it.
Same here. I have rosacea and my skin flared up.
I use their copper peptides and I love it so much!
Also, The Ordinary has a quiz on their website to help you figure out where to start. It CAN be overwhelming if you’re just starting out and are new to skincare. ❤
I enjoy and refer to Michelle who is Lab Muffin Beauty Science. I’m from Sydney Australia so I do follow her of course. You know your stuff too James so don’t sell yourself short. I’m allergic to many things, in particular metals so I can find them in many things. I found out that I’m allergic to watermelon. It makes me break out in big pimples. How ridiculous is that? I do use to The Ordinary because if I do react then I’m not loosing a huge amount of money. But I’ve never had any problems with them. Thank you. May you all please take care and stay safe. 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
consumers have a responsibility to know how to use a product. especially ones as powerful as the ordinary. There is a plethora of information about how to mix and match products. Do not apply to wet skin, etc. My empathy runs very slim when it comes to people misusing products and then making it so that they're not available to the rest of us who rely on their products
I recently heard that Centella asiatica (aka Cica) can be irritating to those with an allergy to dust mites. I did some research and it seems it’s true. Same with snail mucin.
Skin care is a tool just like any other, if you use it correctly and carefully then you should see good results, if you’re ever unsure then go slow, unfortunately there will always be be a tiny percentage of people who react to anything.
EDIT: I forgot to close the quote from the ordinarys box.
The first story with the salicylic 2% , I am holding the product in my hand. My skin is very happy with acids, but I digress. There is a warning on the box, "Patch testing prior to use is advised. Apply the product as directed to a SMALL AREA once a day for three days to test if you are sensitive to this product. If you develop irritation, hives, swelling of eyes and mouth, blisters, or difficulty breathing rise off, cease use, and consult a physician right away. Keep out of reach of children." If you have never used an acid, maybe don't start out with a 2% BHA. I get professional peels monthly and have for 4 years. Not to victim blame, but people need to spot check, research, and ensure your skin can handle it. Work up to higher percentages. Slow and consistency will keep you safe. ❤😊
There was definitely an issue with the reformulation of the SA serum. I had used the old version for years and used another brand while it was unavailable for like - three-four years? Then a couple of weeks into using the new version, the skin around my eyes and eyelids began swelling dramatically. And obviously I don’t use it on my eyes. It was so bad, it began cracking! So I discontinued use, and used another brand with same percentage - no issue. I gave the full unopened bottle I still had to my sister, obv telling her of my reaction but we both thought it was a me-thing. But after some weeks, same thing happened to her. I can see many others have similar issues. It’s not just the BHA causing problems here, it’s something else.
Aurora got impetigo coincidentally after she used the AHA solution. My 7 year old got impetigo and didn’t use any products lol. Why even bring the Ordinary into it? It’s like saying “I used their niacinamide and the next day I got a migraine, but I don’t blame the Ordinary, though I’m dragging their name into it.”
She also used it on what looked like an open wound on her chin. It looked like a cystic acne break out which was then made worse hence the “blisters” the next day
Ordinary was my beginning in skincare and I never got burned because I READ DIRECTIONS..
I love being able to get one thing I want to add to my routine, but I always pay attention to what I'm adding in and how it will fit in with other products I'm using. I've had trouble before when I bought something that was the "latest thing". i think there should be more of a push to see skin care as completely individual, not one size fits all.
I’ve been using The Ordinary since 2018. I always did a patch test with each new product I tried. It absolutely felt like I needed a personal chemist to help me put a routine together at first 😂, but once I got the hang of it I felt so empowered to get what I wanted from my skincare products. I also stopped falling for gimmicky fluff advertisers pushed, and learned how to compare labels with the claimed benefits of a product.
I remember in 2017 as a broke Eastern European 18 year old I was so exited to try out this cheap skincare but it just didn't seem to workout. My skin reacted BADLY oh boy!! I broke out from all their products and the NMF moisturiser burnt my skin. I was so disappointed I had so many expectations. Their lines Hylamide (Rip I loved that brand so freaking much) and NIOD worked so much better for me.
I am always very careful when adding something new I have used the Ordinary for ever. But I must admit I do get a bit confused sometimes if I am doing my routine correctly if I add something new. I always patch test as I always am afraid of a reaction. But I love the ordinary. I have never had a problem with thier products. Great video. Glad you addressed this. Than you James,for explaining so well.
I stopped using The Ordinary b/c I ended up doing too many steps in my skincare with their single active products. I got on Retin A for my acne & dark spots and use Hada Labo for my toner & PKY for my serum & moisturizer. Fewer steps with good results.
I use the AHA BHA chemical peel weekly and I love it! I'm careful with it, and I make sure not to use irritating products before or after the peel, and I don't keep it on too long. it's the strongest chemical peel you can get OTC and it's not to be messed with, but if you have a good skin barrier, and you've built it up with retinols, or other products that may give a good irritation, you will be fine.
My skin loves TO! Love many of their products 🤠
My skin is pretty sensitive but I’ve never had a problem with The Ordinary’s AHA/BHA acid peel whatsoever. And I layer it pretty liberally, I just make sure I got the alarm set fot 10 minutes (of course my ADHD ass sometimes turns it off then remembers about it 5 minutes later… but other than slightly stinging skin when I do it, no damage). Not that I disbelieve ALL people who did have issues, but it’s definitely not the product’s or company’s fault if you’re allergic to something and you don’t know OR especially if you use the product incorrectly.
I’ve had bad reactions to their retinol, but… it just turns out my skin hates retinol. So I don’t use it. At least theirs was quite cheap so it wasn’t much of a waste for me.
I love The Ordinary and have tried most of their products over the last few years. Sometimes it's trial and error to see what works best for you. Right now I use the acid peel then the pink barrier serum right after. I tried using the peel once a week, and 2 dropper-fulls, but it was too much so backed down to 1 dropper-full every 2 to 4 weeks and it's great. And I use the vitamin C serum before sunscreen. I started retinol with their lowest concentration and moved up, never had any irritation. Now I've gone on to Adapalene. I read all the info on their website before purchasing and adjusted things as needed. 💜🖤💜🖤
I know the shops aren't everywhere, but if you go in, the staff really steers you away from the higher strengths and want you to only walk out with 1 Serum at a time
I hate that it’s come to this, but I have such a hard time believing people on TikTok when they say something happened. The way people leave out important info, or straight up lie about things, so they can go viral makes it hard to trust people. (Thinking about the Glamlite situation from a couple months ago.)
Before trying out random things from TikTok you could always just ask your dermatologist.
I have pretty sensitive skin so I tend to steer clear of stronger stuff and only use what was recommended by my dermatologist or pharmacy. Still I have irritated my skin with the same products I use every day on occasion by using stuff incorrectly or using it when I should have used something else better suited for my skin condition at the time.
So important to patch test! Once I tried a new SPF (it was a CeraVe AM sunscreen and (me not testing it prior and applied right to my face) burned so badly, and the rest of the day even though I washed it off immediately, looked like I had a gnarly sunburn all over. I did find out years later that I have rosacea and is extremely sensitive. Be careful :)
If one isnt use to chemical peel, use it in a mild clenser no more than ones a week. I love the red 30%, but I use it as a nose mask and only a few minutes, or on the forehead in summer ones a month, love it its not too strong for me. But I think the 30% is a very adult product for people who are use to chemical peels.
"I don't want to blame the consumer"
I will. Patch test stuff. Stop buying stuff just because an influencer told you to and actually learn how to use stuff.
I've never tried The Ordinary, but I can appreciate their low price and straightforward ingredients and have considered trying something from them before. I know my skin is very sensitive and easily breaks out over anything. I finally found a skin routine that works for me thanks to my dermatologist, and my skin is clear for the first time in over 15 years. (Thanks, hormones! 🙄) I'm not about to change anything in my skincare routine - if it's not broke, don't fix it!
Everyone's skin is so different, my skin LOVES the pink barrier serum more than any other serum I've used before, I'm currently on my 4th bottle of the stuff.
Way back when i was a teenager I got a prescription hyaluronic acid gel from my dermatologist's office. Then I became an adult with no health insurance and couldn't get it for years. I was *so excited* when i heard about The Ordinary and that i could get hyaluronic acid over the counter. I went through a few bottles of it, then found out Trader Joe's had a comparable hyaluronic serum for around the same price and it was always available in-store vs being randomly backordered online. One day I did a side-by-side comparison of the two and determined the Trader Joe's was *slightly* more plumping, so I switched to it permanently.
I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that The Ordinary *is* many peoples first introduction to skincare, or their first time being able to buy actives over the counter that they were previously prescribed by a doctor. Its very easy to go hog wild when it's cheap, available, and you don't have adult supervision!
I've only had positive experiences with the Ordinary. I started with a few basics like the Vit C, Granactive retinol & (then) Buffet peptide serum. Mr Welsh then lured me into adding Korean products and I found a good regime that still works for me today.
I always patch test. I love the Ordinary but I think you should have a good idea about skincare when using their brand. I have used them with no negative reactions. I have sensitive combination skin. Love ❤️ your content.
Not me getting a pink serum ad right as you bring it up.
I use the 10% niacinimide 1% zinc serum and it is my life line. It combined with my witch hazel toner has transformed my oily, acne prone skin into normal skin and has cleared up my skin so well. It's the cheapest thing I can find that's just a serum (not a "balm" or a cream") that also has Zinc. I will never give it up.
I wonder if people may have accidentally gotten counterfeit products? I have used the blue copper peptide serum before and loved it. When I went to repurchase I was perusing the review comment section, & a lot of people’s skin was being COLORED blue!! Definitely someone putting blue dye in cheaper serum because the legitimate product I had did not do that
its difficult, but i think patience may be one of the most important components of a skincare routine. like you mentioned, patch test, introduce one product at a time, and introduce it slowly. if you have sensitive skin, your patch test can be more than just one use. i patch tested the ordinarys azaleic acid twice before use, and started just a couple days a week and worked up to daily. i did the same years ago when i started using a retinoid. but sometjmes you patch test and still have irritation later (heres looking at you acure glycolic acid cleanser). sometimes a product just isn’t for us.
My skin didn't like the pink barrier support serum either, but two of my favorites are the bha/aha 30% and the vitamin c 23% suspension. Both of those get a lot of complaints because they are strong and people don't use them right. I really hope people don't ruin this for me and get them pulled from the shelf. Read the instructions and follow them, pals!
Regarding niacinamide, I absolutely do get bad reactions to it. I got a niacinamide serum that was only 4 percent, and it stung and made my skin red. That's true for most products I've tried with niacinamide in them as well. It's not an extreme reaction, but it does sting and make my skin red and sensitive. So, I think there is truth in people who say they get negative reactions to niacinamide. I hope Lab Muffin Beauty Science releases a video about that conversation you had with her because I'm curious about what she says about it.
Cleanse, essence, serum, sunscreen or night cream every day, gentle exfoliation, face mask once or twice a week, all gentle facecare, seems to work best for me. I find The Ordinary not a good match for my aging skin. Occassionally I may branch out and try a new product, but I always go back to my basic, simple and gentle facecare routine.
I was literally just was told by a JCPenney’s worker about how ordinary had burned her skin then i get recommended this video
Back when I worked at a cosmetics store, we discouraged and sometimes even refused to sell the red aha/bha the ordinary masks to teenagers, who came in with perfect skin wanted to buy it because of tiktok. When we did sell it, we gave explicit instructions on how to use it, and that they shouldn't start with the maximum time precisely because we saw people who did not use it correctly. While I personally use and like the ordinary's products and I like their low-marketing, I think they would do well to set up awareness campaigns about what skintypes/ages need what. I think that would also make the retailers like them more lol, fighting with teens about not wanting them to ruin their face is tiring
It's definitely a lot of user error, and sometimes a product is just not for your skin. I like the limited ingredients because some of them have too much fragrance, etc. I love the salicylic acid, especially on my nose for sebum clogging! The only time I complain when it's watery or fake.
Skincare is definitely a journey to find the one product that best suits your skin. Years ago I stumbled on your video about k beauty products from wish and I've never stopped using dear klair's fundamental water gel ever since 😊
Swapping to The Ordinary was the best thing for my skin after I started testosterone. I've always had oily acne-prone skin, even now at 30, and during my first puberty I ended up on some *extremely* powerful chemical cleansers because my skin was so bad. TO has been fantastic at making my 2nd puberty breakouts much less embarrassing and clear up way faster. BUT I wasn't worried about ordering TO because I know I don't have sensitive skin to facial products and I have used dozens at this point in my life so I'm familiar with what chemicals work better or worse for my skin. Knowing what actives work/ don't work for you, performing a proper patch test, and reading the instructions so you use the products properly will take you a long way
I’m sorry, but for Natasha, she went from having pretty much no routine and using weak weak products, to using straight up chemicals! No wonder her skin freaked out. User error for sure! I have been using The Ordinary for a few years, including all of the products in this video and have never had any problems. But my skin is used to retinal, retinol, vitamin c, and several types of acids. You can’t go from a mole hill to a mountain!
I switched to an Ordinary face wash two weeks ago, and had to stop using the wash after a couple days due to it severely burning the skin under my eyes and eyelids. I do not have sensitive skin, so the burning took me my surprised.
Whenever I start browsing The Ordinary products, I end up not buying anything because it feels like I need a post-doc in chemistry with a graduate degree in biology alongside being a professional dermatologist with 40 years of practice 🤷♀️ I mean, if I use this serum, can I go out in the sun? Can I combine it with this moisturiser? Can I eat oily fish? Can I let morning dew come in contact with my skin on days when Venus is too close to Earth if I applied the serum since the last full moon? I don't know so not going to risk it 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️ x
I love The Ordinary for teaching people (including me!) that the % of active ingredient is all that actually matters in a skin care product.
No one needs more than 2-3 steps in a skincare routine.
Except it isn’t. It the formulation as a whole that matters. Some products with lower active percentages can be more effective due to secondary ingredients that aid it in things like skin penetration, lasting longer on the skin, how it interacts with cells, etc…
I adore The Ordinary and I’m one block away from the OG flagship store in Toronto. Shoutout to all the lovely people there. ❤️
As a broke girl with a lot of skin issues I freaking LOVE the AHA BHA but I also did a patch test 48 hours before, started with 5 minutes and slowly went up, before I even started I used glycolic acid and salicylic acid to get my skin used to it and I don't use actives the day before or after.... The AHA BHA is definitely my holy grail!
I wonder if the people are just using this one product or are they mixing products? Because some products you should never use together because they can cause irritation (for example Vitamin C and AHA)
My face reacts really bad to AHA (with swelling, redness and itching) and it happens also with different products from different brands so it's just my skin and not the ordinarys fault 🤷
IMO a lot of these individuals are too young to be using these products. Everyone wants to look younger and better but the Ordinary they put larger warnings on their products. I have my favorites of their products but, it isn’t easy to figure out when I can use the different products and what can’t be used together.
I do enjoy some products from The Ordinary and Niod. It’s important to patch test. I do wonder if recent explosion of skin layering has contributed to this. Just more ingredients to interact with each other.
I found glass shards in two separate serums and never got a response from them. I’d never use a product from them again 😢
i really love the ordinary for the sake of being broken down into the single things i need instead of buying a product with a bunch of different of hopeful results and overloading my face!! i use maybe 3 products regularly and an occasional treatment.
i definitely think the biggest issue if definitely user-error and lack of understanding, but i also think the million-step skincare routines also lead to people slathering so many products on their face without thinking of how they react to each other. and ofc younger people using harsh actives that do nothing for them at their age.
i understand a want for more warnings, but also i recognize that when i use a product or treatment all over my face without testing it and my skin doesn’t love it, or even breaks out/ gets irritated, its on me and thats just how it goes sometimes. wont work for me but its on the shelves and i can assume it works for another!!
I found out that applying a layer of thick cream BEFORE applying medium to high strength leave on chemical peeling solution actually very beneficial for my sensitive skin. I experienced much less irritation and dryness, more even peeling effect.
I don't have sensitive skin but the Ordinary's niacinamide makes my skin itch immediately. Small amounts in other brands are ok.
I went to look at the Ordinary's website and omg the prices have gone up a lot.
My fav combo was the resveratol with fulic acid with the EUK. I like the pandemic acid too. I prefer the Inkey List these days