The DECIEM umbrella boasts brands like Niod and, of course, The Ordinary. This month, DECIEM is offering a 23% discount across all of its products for the whole of November to encourage skincare fans to shop slowly and mindfully — and we have a feeling The Ordinary products will be the most popular.
So what’s really worth your money? From exfoliating acids to hydrating serums, click through to shop the skincare products which come highly recommended by longtime fans of The Ordinary, R29’s beauty team.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA, £7.90 £6.08
Acid-based serums are replacing leave-on exfoliating toners, and this one always gets my vote. Lactic acid is a little gentler than glycolic acid but both are AHAs (or alpha hydroxy acids), which exfoliate the surface of the skin, making it radiant and more even in tone. This particular serum contains 10% lactic acid. Used every other evening (and followed by moisturiser), it makes skin glow. If you’re an acid beginner, pick up the 5% version instead, as it’s a little kinder on skin.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, £28.90 £22.25
For The Ordinary’s Nicola Kilner, this is an unsung hero, and I agree. “It’s one of those products that has everything in it and it’s something I won’t leave the house without applying first,” Nicola told R29. She continued: “There’s so many different peptides in there, and they are really focused on long-term skin health.” Peptides are essentially proteins, which repair and heal skin prone to redness and inflammation.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%, £8.90 £6.85
Everyone’s talking about the power of antioxidant ingredient ferulic acid, which shields against pollution and other environmental factors that can make skin dull. This is a little thicker in texture compared to other serums but it moisturises skin well and sits perfectly under sunscreen. If you’re a city dweller and want to bolster your skin’s protection, this is great.
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder, £5.70 £4.39
The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, £5 £3.85, is constantly selling out, but I much prefer the powdered version for almost instantly visible results. Mix a quarter of the provided teaspoon with a water-based moisturiser (I like Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel, £46) and massage into the skin. It reduces excess oil (my T-zone is always much less shiny at the end of the day), subsequently reducing breakouts, and minimises the appearance of pores. Don’t worry, the formula isn’t gritty or chalky in the slightest.
The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £13.90 £10.70
If you’re a fan of CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser, you’ll love this. Most squalane products appear in oil form but this is a cream cleanser and is particularly good for dry or sensitive skin. It removes light makeup and oil and moisturises skin at the same time. My only gripe is that it runs out quickly, so stock up.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £9.90 £7.62
This is a no-frills moisturiser best suited to reactive or spot-prone types. The star ingredient is hyaluronic acid. While it won’t totally transform your skin, it will leave it soft, supple and hydrated, and makes for a good makeup primer.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, £13.90 £10.70
R29 beauty contributor Ellen King swears by this serum to keep her skin in check. Hyaluronic acid hydrates skin, plumping out fine lines and doing away with any uncomfortable tight feeling after cleansing. Vitamin B5 works in a similar way and attracts moisture. Hydrated, moisturised skin = glowing skin. Ellen applies this to damp skin for best results and suggests following with a moisturiser to lock everything in.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA, £6.50 £5
The multiple five-star reviews speak for themselves. Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) which is kinder on skin compared to other acids under the same umbrella, so it is suited to all skin types. Like glycolic acid serums, this version exfoliates the surface of the skin, making it appear brighter and clearer.
Wearing SPF during the daytime will protect your skin from the sun, as acids can cause sensitivity.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, £10.40 £8.01
If you experience breakouts and skin staining left behind by spots, try this milky serum. Recommended to me by a top London dermatologist, it unclogs pores, minimises hyperpigmentation and smooths rough skin texture without the typical irritation that most retinol products can cause, such as sore, flaky skin. It’s a product I go back to time and time again. Just remember to use SPF in the daytime, as retinoids can make skin sensitive to sunlight.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, $, available at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, £22.70 £17.48
Blackheads and oily T-zones don’t stand a chance against this mask. Charcoal and clay mop up oil, while 2% salicylic acid breaks up the mixture of dead skin, oil and dirt, which eventually leads to clogged pores. A little goes a very long way and it’s pretty strong, so be sure to rinse off thoroughly after 10 minutes.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, $, available at The Ordinary
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