When it comes to skincare, we are used to shelling out a large amount of money to see results. Thus, when people started talking about The Ordinary – the affordable, fuss-free skincare brand by Deciem, we were intrigued. Since we love exfoliation nearly as much as our family (sorry, guys!), we decided to test out the Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%.

The product comes in a frosted glass bottle with a dropper. This type of packaging goes well with the minimalistic vibe of the brand. We quite like the dropper as it dispenses just the right amount of product and keeps things hygienic – unlike the jars that most brands prefer. However, the dropper is not long enough to touch the bottom of the bottle, so you may need to tilt it in several directions as the product level dips. The directions for use are printed on the back of the bottle, whilst the list of ingredients can be found on the accompanying box. The brand also gives a sunburn warning and asks users to apply sunscreen as the formula can increase your skin’s sensitivity.

Since The Ordinary is all about the ingredients, it’s only fair to highlight them. Lactic acid is a type of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that exfoliates and brightens skin. It is less irritating than glycolic acid. Since we have used chemical exfoliants before, we opted for the 10% version. However, the brand also offers a 5% variant for those new to the process. In addition, this formula also contains hyaluronic acid (HA), which works to moisturise skin, and a Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative, which is known to decrease inflammation. The product is also cruelty-free and void of silicones, alcohol and nuts. The overall pH is approximately 3.6-3.8, which is low enough to be effective.

The formula was surprising, to say the least. Although the colour looks amber in the bottle, it comes out clear when dispensed. The runny consistency lets the product spread easily, but dries down to a slightly tacky finish. It’s easy to overuse the product due to its thin texture, but honestly, you only need about 2-3 drops to cover your entire face. The most shocking thing however, was the lack of tingle. All the acids we’ve used till date have caused a fair amount of stinging and redness. This one caused zero irritation and gave off no sensation – a fact that weirdly disappointed the skincare masochists on our team. The formula also has a fennel-like fragrance to it, which could bother some people.

We’ve been using this product for over a month now and are pretty pleased with the results. Not only does this formula brighten up dark spots, but also helps our moisturiser sink in better. It even buffs off dry spots and creates a smooth base for makeup. However, it does not manage to decrease zits or cystic acne. Whilst the brand recommends applying this daily, we’ve found our sweet spot by using it on alternate nights.

Radiance-boosting, smoothing and non-irritating, this exfoliator is definitely one to purchase. Although it doesn’t give instantaneous results like Sunday Riley’s Good Genes, there’s no denying that it’s an incredible buy for the price point it comes at!

Price: USD 6.79

Ingredients: Water, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Citrate, Arginine, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

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