Sometimes being blessed with having minimal skin issues can make some of us (definitely me) a bit lazy when it comes to skincare – I assume that I don’t have to invest that much into it because my skin looks good, however, this definitely isn’t the case. A couple of months ago, I noticed that due to stress, my skin was beginning to look a bit dull and it was then that I decided to incorporate an extra step into my normal skin care regimen.
Enter: The Ordinary Skincare. I heard about this brand last year but I was ultra tardy for the party when it came to making a purchase. The Ordinary is owned by umbrella company DECIEM who own more than ten different skin care brands and focus on using the best quality ingredients for their products. What makes The Ordinary so unique is that the products contain amazing ingredients, for a FRACTION of the price. Because of this, the brand has already reached cult status within the beauty community for its budget-friendly price point and its diverse range of products, not to mention the minimal, medicinal-like packaging which would look good in any medicine cabinet/dressing table.
I read hella reviews from other bloggers before settling on the right product to use. I knew I wanted a product that would be quite intensive, with ingredients strong enough to help eradicate the dullness in my skin. I decided to opt for the AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solution which sounds scary, but is in fact just an exfoliating facial.

Sooo….WTF are AHAs and BHAs then babes?

AHAs are Alpha Hydroxy Acids. They are a class chemical of compounds can that either be naturally occurring or synthetic. They can be derived from organic sugars; glycolic acid (from sugar cane) and lactic acid (from milk) are some of the best known AHAs.
AHAs are predominantly used for chemical exfoliation, as opposed to manual exfoliation. It works by primarily dissolving the bond between two skin cells to allow the removal of dead skin cells and to produce a subsequently smoother skin surface. Low concentrations of the acid (such as 4%) are generally safe for at-home use, whereas concentrations of 70% and higher are generally used within a professional/medical setting. AHAs have the smallest molecule size, so it is highly effective at penetrating the skin. The Ordinary contains a high concentration of AHAs, so you can be sure you’ll be getting a good exfoliation.
BHAs are Beta Hydroxy Acids, most commonly known as salicylic acid. BHAs are oil soluble, which means they get deep into the pores to cut through the oil that is clogging them. They also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so BHAs are perfect for treating acne-prone skin and blackheads.

The Ordinary | The Deets

As stated above, the Ordinary contains 30% AHAs and 2% BHAs and comes in a 30ml bottle. The pH balance of the formula is between 3-5-3.7 and is alcohol and oil free. It is also free of silicones, cruelty-free and is suitable for Vegans.
The formula contains Tasmanian Pepperberry which helps reduce the irritation to skin from the acids. It also contains Vitamin B5 and black carrot, which is an antioxidant. The liquid is bright red and it was a bit shocking when I first used it, as it felt like I was applying blood to my face. Sexy.
Because the product contains a high amount of acids, it is recommended that you do not use this on sensitive or peeling skin. It is also worth noting that it is best to use this in the evening as the acids can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight after use.  It’s also important to note that you MUST use this product on a dry, clean face. Do not apply this on wet skin, otherwise, it will not exfoliate it.
There is a slight tingle when on the face – to me it just means that the acid is doing it’s work. I will say though, it’s quite fascinating to watch when the red liquid starts to foam and bubble on the skin while tingling – it’s LITERALLY dissolving your skin in front of your very eyes. Technology eh?! In the photos below where I have applied the solution, you can see on the lower left side of my jaw that the solution is pinkish in colour – it’s actually foam/fizz from where my skin is dissolving. YASSSSSSSSS!

My Thoughts

I’ve been using the product twice a week for two weeks now and it’s really saying something when I’m already doing a review, as I normally trial a product for at least six weeks before giving my final opinion. Guys. This product is incredible. I’ve noticed that my skin feels a LOT smoother and while the skin does normally look really irritated immediately after use due to just being acid attacked (see photo second from the bottom), after a few days, the skin evens out and it feels SO. BLOODY. SOFT.
This product isn’t going to completely eradicate blemishes or hyperpigmentation, so if that was what you were looking for, this isn’t the product for you. This product is all about smoothing the skin and creating a flawless, healthy base and an improvement in the radiance of the skin. I’ve decided to use this once a week and cannot wait to discover more products within the brand to use in collaboration with this solution.
The Ordinary is available on ASOS