The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% (Part I)

The Ordinary has received a lot of hypes recently in the beauty world. And it is for the right reasons. The Ordinary is a sub-brand of the bigger parent company Deciem, whose concept I am totally fond of – no BS, straight up effective ingredient in a simple bottle (my word, not theirs). The Ordinary range is priced at a very reasonable price point, and the products target specific skin concerns. Earlier this year, I found out they had a concept store in The Rocks (Sydney) and on the same day I visited the store and splurged. Yes, even though each product is well priced at around AU$15, they do add up when you buy almost every product in the range. I have been using the three products pictured below for the last four months and my experience has been mixed. Today, I’d like share my thoughts on the Advanced Retinoid 2% first because it is the one I had high hopes for (and more on the other products soon).

What The Ordinary says/product description:

• A Stable Emulsion of Next-Generation Forms of Retinoid: The Ordinary website has a lot of useful and detailed information for the product. I recommend reading the information on their website before buying their products.
• Two active ingredients: (the below doesn’t really make sense for me…but I am sure some skincare junkies know their ingredients!)
• Solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is a highly-advanced form of retinoid which is, in fact, a non-prescription ester of all-trans direct retinoic acid that offers a multi-fold better effect against signs of ageing than retinol, retinyl palmitate and nearly all other forms of non-prescription retinoid;
• a sustained-delivery form of pure retinol in a protective capsule system which supports both the delivery and the effect of Solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate.
• Caution: Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Sun protection is particularly important when using retinoids. This product must not be used in conjunction with other retinoids including retinol or retinoic acid. This product is not a treatment for acne. Acne-prone skin may experience a temporary increase in acne during the first few weeks of using any form of retinoid including those used in this formulation.
• Directions: Apply a few drops to face in the PM as part of your skincare regimen. Do not use with other retinoid treatments. Use sun protection in the AM.
• Price: AU$17.90/30ml from The Ordinary store, Priceline, Myer and online retailers.

My experience:

We have all heard about the proven benefits of retinol/retinoid products. It is a strong and effective ingredient targeting skin concerns such as lines and wrinkles and general anti-aging. I have had positive experiences with other retinol products previously, but the Ordinary’s version was a little disappointing.

It is a water based serum that is oil free and alcohol free. It is milky white in colour and very liquidy in texture. I started by using this serum every second day, and only at night. It is absorbed very quickly. To be honest, I did not see any result. Unlike other retinoid products which gave me radiant and supple skin, I did not see any results from The Ordinary Retinoid 2%. My skin was not sensitive to it either. My skin just had no reaction to it.

After using it every second night for about three weeks, I increased my usage to every night. This time my skin was reacting. It was a little red and sensitive to touch. I even had a few minor breakouts since using this retinoid, and I rarely break out. I have heard from reviews that skin tends to breakout/react before you see a result from the Ordinary’s retinoid, but I have given it a good two months and I have not seen any real results. So I switched back to using it every second night, or sometimes twice a week only, and my skin is back to normal.

Overall, The Ordinary’s Retinoid 2% is not my go to product for a drug store retinol/retinoid treatment. For a drug store alternative, I much prefer the Avene Ysthéal Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion or Cream which was gentle and very effective (but slightly more expensive).

Repurchase? No. I will finish my current bottle but will not buy again. (But if you fancy trying this one out, Priceline is having a skincare sale 40% off this Wednesday to Friday 2^nd Aug to 4^th Aug!)