A blog post that isn't study related? What can I say? It feels as if we've jumped straight back to 2016 on this blog! To cut to the chase, one of my resolutions for this year was to invest more and take better care of my skin; having watched an esthetician's video on this particular chemical exfoliant, I was very much intrigued by it - for The Ordinary was a brand that I was already quite the fan of - and, now that this product has well and truly blown up on TikTok, I thought there would be no better time to share my thoughts with you. Of course, I am no dermatologist (heck, I can't even sort out my hormonal acne myself) but if you're looking for a review from your average Sally, this is the post for you - I hope it's helpful!
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In the past couple of years, there has been a lot of controversy in the beauty community surrounding exfoliants - particularly physical exfoliants, which have gotten a rather bad rep for being abrasive to the skin and damaging for the environment (principally because, prior to their ban in 2018, most on sale in the UK were formulated with microbeads). At the same time, there has been a growing interest in 'chemical' products - I say that in inverted commas for I don't particularly know how else to refer to them. This product is just that: a chemical exfoliant. Two of the main ingredients which give the product its name are Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids, these are what exfoliate the skin to help rid of dead skin cells and unclog pores. As the concentration of said acids is among the highest in the market for day-to-day purchase, it is important that you follow all instructions listed, such as not keeping the peel on longer than 10 minutes. If you would like to read the full description on the company's website, you can do so here. What I particularly like about The Ordinary, aside from their affordable price point, is their attention to detail when it comes to listing their products and how to use them; as somebody with rather problematic skin, there is a certain comfort in knowing what exactly it is that you are putting onto your face.
Speaking of problematic skin, I thought I would now get onto the application of this exfoliant. As somebody that both has damaged and sensitive skin, I was tentative about purchasing this product but made sure to complete a patch test beforehand as I had heard glowing reviews from other people with a similar skin-type to me. For me, the application process was relatively straight-forward; you simply get the product you need with the pipette and drop some onto your washed but dry face, making sure to not let the glass touch your skin's surface so as to not contaminate the product, before rubbing it in with your hands. The first time that I applied it, I did feel a tingling sensation which was a little uncomfortable but I at least knew that something was going on. There is a red tint which leaves you looking rather vampire like, cue the photo below, as well as a distinct vegetable-like scent (likely to be from the presence of black carrot) - again, a little uncomfortable although you are only supposed to have it on for 10 minutes. Contrary to the name, you wash it off - not peel it off - and follow through with your nighttime skincare routine. Every few days, I will use a Glycolic acid toner to my face as well as Witch Hazels solution/Zinc Oxide cream on my spots - but after using this exfoliant, I apply a night cream and a night cream only to be gentle to my skin. The following day, I made sure to apply SPF to my skin as, having not listened to the instruction on another product from The Ordinary and having it result in me looking like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I did not want to burn.
Speaking of problematic skin, I thought I would now get onto the application of this exfoliant. As somebody that both has damaged and sensitive skin, I was tentative about purchasing this product but made sure to complete a patch test beforehand as I had heard glowing reviews from other people with a similar skin-type to me. For me, the application process was relatively straight-forward; you simply get the product you need with the pipette and drop some onto your washed but dry face, making sure to not let the glass touch your skin's surface so as to not contaminate the product, before rubbing it in with your hands. The first time that I applied it, I did feel a tingling sensation which was a little uncomfortable but I at least knew that something was going on. There is a red tint which leaves you looking rather vampire like, cue the photo below, as well as a distinct vegetable-like scent (likely to be from the presence of black carrot) - again, a little uncomfortable although you are only supposed to have it on for 10 minutes. Contrary to the name, you wash it off - not peel it off - and follow through with your nighttime skincare routine. Every few days, I will use a Glycolic acid toner to my face as well as Witch Hazels solution/Zinc Oxide cream on my spots - but after using this exfoliant, I apply a night cream and a night cream only to be gentle to my skin. The following day, I made sure to apply SPF to my skin as, having not listened to the instruction on another product from The Ordinary and having it result in me looking like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I did not want to burn.
I must say, my skin felt incredible after having washed off this exfoliant and, after using it once-a-week for several weeks, I noticed that the appearance of both current breakouts and acne scars did reduce slightly. As somebody with fairly dry skin, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this exfoliant did not dry out my skin in the slightest and, if anything, brought out the natural radiance behind those dead skin cells. Truth be told, however, it is not a miracle product - as is the case with most products from The Ordinary, I think - and not necessarily one that I believe is essential to your routine. That being said, at only £6.30 for 30ml (which, if you are only using maximum twice per week, will go a long way), I do think it is a nice treat for your skin and can help improve the appearance and texture of problematic skin.
Have you tried this product yet? If so, be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Have you tried this product yet? If so, be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments below!