Product's Overview:
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| Product Description in Korean |
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| Product description in English |
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| Light-sealed glass bottle |
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| Batch code |
Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin
*(from The Ordinary website)
⭐Star Ingredients:
Propanediol - Humectant (draws water), Solvent (dissolves the cream into skin) & Emollient (locks in moisture)
L-Ascorbic Acid 8% - Antioxidant that brightens the skin tone & fight the free radicals damages
Purified Alpha Arbutin 2% - Reduce dark spots/hyperpigmentation & improve uneven skin tone
First Impression & Experience: ★★☆☆☆
The glass packaging is light-sealed to prevent the product from exposing to the light/sunlight & cause oxidisation. Like all of The Ordinary's products, it came with a pipette dipped into the serum & I have to squeeze the top of the pump to dispense 2 drops of the product on my palms (amount enough for my face & neck). I use only in the AM routine for the 1st month, then twice a day after 2nd month onwards.
The serum is transparent, has a weird smell that's not heavy. Once rubbed between both palms & apply on face, I can feel the oil texture in the product. The face feels a little warm sensation at first when applied, then slowly it absorbs. However, it doesn't feel lightweight at all even though I have dry skin & my palms are quite oily afterwards.
Pros:
- Lightens dark spot
- Claimed by The Ordinary (written on packaging): Improve hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven skin tone & signs of aging
Cons:
- Irritates my skin
- Excessive break out every time after using
- T-zone feels greasy after half day without any excessive activity
- Too short PAO (Period-After-Opening) - Only 6 months
Final Thoughts & Conclusion:
It's my second The Ordinary product (check out The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2% here), my second Ascorbic Acid serum, 3% higher than my first one I've used - Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop (check out the blog post here), with an extra brightening ingredient - Alpha Arbutin.
On first month, I use as 1st step of my skincare routine on my dry face after cleansing & also normal serum step before moisturiser from 2nd month onwards. However, rather than seeing reduction of hyperpigmentation, the spots on my face that should be lightened by it, started to break out & it grows bigger over time. As claimed by The Ordinary website, the serum is an anhydrous serum, so the skin may feel oily afterwards, which may be the reason why I feel like my moisturiser isn't absorbing well into my skin & products don't go well after the serum is applied.
On the 4th month of using this serum, because of the side effect I see in my skin, I only use it in the AM routine; While in my PM routine, I started to use Cosrx Dual Radiance Snail Essence as it has Niacinamide + Snail Mucin, hoping that my break out will be lessen & the spots will be lightened.
On my 6th month onwards, I tried applying after moisturiser, before sunscreen, the break outs starts to decrease, I can see some spots being lightened slightly, but it still doesn't stop the break out completely.
I'm pretty sure it's not purging as it's not an exfoliant/retinol, also it has been breaking out for more than 3 months since I used the serum. The thing that changed about this method is that it doesn't affect my skincare product afterwards from sliding & not absorbing into the skin. Sunscreen is still the last step of my routine.
**There's a few methods you can apply this serum:
1. Your first step of skincare routine after cleansing: Before toner & moisturiser. Ensure that your face's completely dry to prevent the product from penetrating deeper into my skin & caused higher risk of irritation. Then, continue with a toner, moisturiser & sunscreen (AM routine).
2. Serum step: After toner, before moisturiser & sunscreen (AM routine), make sure that your face's not overly wet, only slightly damp when applying the serum (As mentioned previously, this caused my moisturiser not absorbing into my skin well, so I tried method 3👇🏼)
3. After moisturiser, before sunscreen (My skin suits this method better & it caused lesser irritation and less break out)
4. Buffering: Mix it into your creams (recommended for sensitive skin).
**Remember don't touch the dropper on your face as it may contaminate the serum when it's dipped back into it. Sunscreen is compulsory after applying any Ascorbic Acid product as your skin will be very sensitive to the sunlight.
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| The dropper cap head has the oxidised product because every time after I apply on face then close the cap, so it's better to drop the amount you want on your palms, then close the cap before applying onto your face |
The Period-After-Opening (PAO) on the packaging is stated 6 months. However, after 6 months, I still have 1/4 of the product left, but the solution's still in good condition like I first opened it & no oxidisation occurs. On my 8th month, I only realised I've opened the product for more than the PAO & stopped using it immediately, because I don't see any good result with it, but only constant breaking out, so there's no reason to continue using it & risk the further irritation it may cause to my skin after the PAO.
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I tried this serum because I used to thought that the higher the percentage, the better & faster the result is. Also I thought that I can tolerate 3% higher of concentration than my previous Ascorbic Acid serum, as long as it's not over 20%, but it turns out very irritated to my face & it broke me out badly ever since (I never broke out so much in my life, even pre-menstrual cycle). Most probably it's because this serum doesn't have any skin soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica, like the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop (check out the blog post here).
Lesson learnt, I shall just stop at 5% (or the same product), or use Vitamin C derivatives serums/creams that can also do the job, has slower result, less irritation & inflammation, also can be worry-free about the product being oxidised & not having to finish it up quickly. Always try every active ingredients at your own risk & understand your skin first before switching it to a higher concentration!!
Otherwise, try retinol, which can also do the job, with a few more extra benefits & recommended more by dermatologists than Ascorbic Acid. It may take more time to see the results (4 weeks onwards), but after that when your skin's used to it & it doesn't have any irritation since then, you'll thank yourself for being patient when you see the results on your face. Retinol (as well as Retinoid & Retinoic Acid) requires more patience than any other active ingredients, as you have to use only once a week & slowly work up the game. I'm currently trying CeraVe's Skin Resurfacing Retinol Serum, will blog about it once I've emptied it & link it here.
❗ NOTE: Any percentage of Ascorbic Acid from 1% to 20% is considered effective. However, this doesn't mean that the higher the concentration, the better or faster you'll see the result. This rule applies on all active ingredients. A higher percentage can also mean higher risk of irritation. Remember to put on sunscreen after using any Ascorbic Acid/Vitamin C/anti-oxidant actives as it'll make your skin more sensitive to the sun even though it acts as a very effective anti-oxidant during the day (although it's advised that you should wear sunscreen daily no matter what skincare routine you have). Also, avoid using any Ascorbic Acid products with your retinols, after any AHA/BHA or any forms of chemical exfoliation in the same routine as your skin's still sensitive after the period ❗
Price vs. Value: ★★☆☆☆
30ml RM60 bought on June 2020,
8 months usage,
PAO only 6 months, so I stopped using even though it still has 1/4 left
Repurchase? ☆☆☆☆☆
No, considering the break outs it has caused to my skin. It has never been breaking out so much before in my whole skincare journey. It might either be the higher percentage of Ascorbic Acid, the Alpha Arbutin or both combined that irritates my skin. Either way, I wouldn't repurchase this product anymore.
Where to Get
It On Your Hands:
Shopee K-beauty Products Shop Directly Shipped From Korea RM63
The Ordinary Official Website US$12 = RM49.88
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^affiliated Amazon store link, which I will earn a little
commission if you use the link I provided to purchase the product
Disclaimer: All the products are purchased with my own hard-earned
money and every photos are strictly owned by me. The opinions are on my own,
unbiasedly & truthfully, but it could vary depending on individual. I'm not
an expert in any field nor a licensed individual. Every review is based on my
personal preference & for entertainment purpose only. What works for me may
not work for you because skincare is personal. I have dry-combination skin
(oily T-zone, dry U-zone) but it doesn't mean that you'll have the same
experience as me if you have the same skin type as we have different lifestyle
and living environment. Try everything at your own risk.
*Kindly refer to the packaging for the latest & most accurate ingredient list when you purchase the product.
