The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 & Retinol Serum 0.2% review | Acne Prone Skin

I have suffered with acne for 10 years now and feel like I have tried every product the skincare industry has to offer.  There has been times when I have thought I have found the right products to eventually have them just stop working (what is that all about?!) After extensive research into The Ordinary brand, I decided to try a few of their products. I used to have very oily skin (it now sits more on the combination side), so I always thought my skin didn't really need the moisture (I was VERY wrong with this), so skipped a lot of essential moisturising. I started using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydration Support Formula* in 2018, and I have not gone a day without this ever since. 

My face does have the occasional break-out, however, they are nowhere near as regular as they used to be before I started using this product. I use this every morning and evening after washing my face with the Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser* which is also a godsend in itself. In order to reap the full benefits, it's best to apply this to damp skin, as applying it directly to dry skin can actually cause more dehydration.  It feels so refreshing on the skin and absorbs so quickly, leaving no pesky residue. It is an absolute dream under make up and would recommend it to all skin types as it has massively improved my overall complexion. Not only is this product absolute gold, it is also a massive bargain at £5.90! You can even grab an extra 15% off on ASOS if you have a student discount code. 

The Ordinary has many incredible products for all skin types, and the Deciem website has a personal service where experts will tell you the best products for your skin after you send them a photo of your bare face. You can access this here. This service was actually where I discovered The Ordinary Retinol Serum 0.2%*. I opted for the lowest percentage as your skin needs time to adapt to it. The downside is this can actually take a few months, so perseverance is key. As you probably know, clear skin doesn't happen overnight, but the results given from using this product over time has definitely made the wait worth it. I have read some reviews where people have experienced purging after this product, to be honest I didn't really have this which was actually quite unusual for me, but it did take a few months to see my acne clear up. My pores are notably smaller when I wake up the next day, giving me a healthy glow that I have not seen for years. Another positive is my acne scars have also started to fade, which is absolutely down to this product. After using The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% serum for 6 months, I'm considering upping my percentage to see how my skin reacts, as I am so happy I purchased it.  You can also get this on ASOS for £4.90 using your discount codes to get money off!

You can grab The Ordinary products directly off the Deciem website, Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay and ASOS.

Have you tried any of The Ordinary products? Which one is your favourite? 

Why not check out some of my other blog posts -

WHAT TO BUY FROM SUPERDRUG IN 2021 | A LITTLE HAUL IN LOCKDOWN NO.3

GARNIER ULTIMATE BLENDS HAIR FOOD PAPAYA & BANANA MASK | FOR DRY AND DAMAGED HAIR

All products mentioned in this post have been purchased by myself, with my own money. Any affiliate links will be annotated with an * at the end.