The Ordinary Lactic Acid + Azelaic Acid Suspension: Review

The Ordinary has taken the skin care world by storm, with products formulated with high quality ingredients at bargain basement prices.

While I amassed quite a haul from the brand, today’s skin care review focuses on two items – The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid  + HA  2% and The Ordinary 10% Azelaic Acid Suspension, because you can never have too many acids in your skin care arsenal, in my opinion.

*this post contains affiliate links*

 

What’s Not In The Ordinary Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid?

All Deciem products are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury and oxybenzone, and are not tested on animals.

These serums are alcohol-free, silicone-free, nut-free and vegan.

 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%+HA 2% – $6.70CDN

What is Lactic Acid?

Lactic acid is a form of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin for a smoother, brighter appearance. While effective, lactic acid is not as strong as glycolic acid, making it a great starter acid for newbies or people with more sensitive skin.

The Ordinary has lactic acid serums in 5% and 10% strengths. The formulation also includes Tasmanian Pepperberry, which the company claims will reduce the inflammation and sensitivity that some people may experience with chemical exfoliation. 2% hyaluronic acid (HA) is mixed in to boost the skin’s ability to retain moisture and contributes to skin plumpness (yes please!).

What Is Lactic Acid Good For?

Lactic acid is great for exfoliation and reducing hyper-pigmentation, texture, congested skin and fine lines. If you have sensitive skin, the lactic acid will be gentler on your skin than the glycolic acid 7% toning solution from the brand and is a great starting point for inexperienced acid exfoliant users.

If you are new to acids, start with the 5% lactic acid serum and then work up to the 10% formula.

What Products Conflict With Lactic Acid?

• Direct Acids
• Peptides
• EUK 134
• Be cautious in case of irritation using retinol or Pure Vitamin C in the same routine as lactic acid.

Product Texture

This serum has a peach-tint to the serum, which has a consistency slightly thicker than water.

How To Use The Ordinary Lactic Acid In Your Skin Care Routine

Given my long-time history using acids, I went all the way and opted for the 10% strength. The Ordinary lactic acid serum is intended for use in your night time skin care routine before you apply your creams or facial oils and after you cleanse your skin.

The website doesn’t really give you much more direction than that, but I like to apply 2-3 drops to my face after double cleansing at night as my exfoliation step, before my hydrating toner, treatments and face cream.

If you normally use an acid toner in your routine, don’t use it at the same time as you use the lactic acid serum – it will be too much exfoliation and can cause irritation.

 

Vitamin C and retinol can also cause irritation if applied after using the lactic acid serum.

 

A dropper/pipette is provided to dispense the orange-tinted, water-based serum. Once applied to the skin, it absorbs quickly and leaves no residue behind.

In spite of the 10% strength, I didn’t experience any tingling or burning after application and had no irritation either (thank you Tasmanian Pepperberry!).

 

Was it effective?

Yes – my skin did feel softer, looked smoother and more even overall after using this serum regularly. The website claimed that this acid would be fast working, but I didn’t notice any difference over night and found that continued use was more effective, which is the rule with most serums.

Would I repurchase? I don’t think so. Since I’m pretty experienced with acids, I think I’d like to go with a stronger one next time around.

BUY IT: Sephora | Azalea | The Ordinary | Beauty Expert

Source: Instagram @kelizbeauty

Available Dupes For The Ordinary Lactic Acid?

Revolution Beauty has their own 5% Lactic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid serum, which is an obvious copy of TO’s serum.

 

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Review – $7.90CDN

What Is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid is derived from wheat, rye and barley and is naturally produced by the skin’s microbiome. It also acts as an antioxidant to protect skin from damage.

 

What’s Azelaic Acid Good For?

Azelaic acid is also great for unclogging pores, killing bacteria and reducing acne and is safe for use during pregnancy when retinol has to be avoided.

The Ordinary markets this product as a way to brighten skin, reduce blemishes and improve skin texture, but I feel like they really undersold all the benefits of this stuff! It’s also great for skin types suffering from rosacea and redness because it reduces inflammation.

 

How To Use The Ordinary Azelaic Acid In Your Routine

The website directs you to apply this morning or night (with sunscreen if in the morning) before your heavy creams or facial oils. The Ordinary azelaic acid is a white, opaque, odourless cream that absorbs super fast into the skin. I like to apply it after I cleanse, exfoliate, tone and treat.

I find it best to apply a large pea-sized amount in dabs all over my face to make sure I can spread it out before it starts to absorb; it’s that fast. Although it has “acid” in the title, this did not tingle or burn at all; great for people new to acid use. It doesn’t leave any residue on the skin, just a smooth, matte finish that makes it great under makeup as well. Just be careful when using it with retinol or vitamin C, as it could cause irritation when applied in the same sitting.

Was it effective? Hell yes! 

After using this product for the first time, I noticed that my skin did look more even (e.g. less red) and smoother overall by the next morning.

I continued to use this product each night and found it made my skin look healthier and more radiant as I went. The only negatives I have is that it comes in a cream instead of a serum; I have a love affair with serums so I guess this is a small personal bias. The amount you get is also minimal (30mL) so I can see this product reducing at a fast pace (thank God it’s cheap!).

Nonetheless, a great product at an amazing price and probably my favourite item from The Ordinary so far.

Would I repurchase? Oh yeah.

If you have any of the skin issues described above, go to The Ordinary website or Sephora and start ordering (and then come back to Blush & Pearls, ok?). Only issue? The Azelaic Acid is no longer available in Canada, so I’ll need another online supplier for the next batch.

Buy It: Sephora | The Ordinary | Beauty Bay

 

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Interested in more skin care reviews of The Ordinary?

Check out my review of The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% Suspension and my review of The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + Zinc 1%.

You can read about my entire haul from The Ordinary and their latest Squalane Cleanser too!

 

Have you tried The Ordinary Lactic Acid or the Azelaic Acid yet? Would you?