How to create a complexion ✨brightening routine (feat.The Ordinary)
The Ordinary skin care products have taken the beauty industry by storm with its ingredient and science focused twist on skin care. The brand pretty much revolutionized the skin care industry and changed the way we purchased products, the way we looked at ingredients within products, and the way we educate ourselves about what we need from a product. With its high quality and high-performance skin care line, its affordable and accessible price point has made it a staple brand in many skin care routines.

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Running with the latest skin care and beauty trend of glowing skin, less is more, breathable skin and no makeup make up routines, achieving a healthy and happy skin base is what beauties are craving. You know what that means. Goodbye hyperpigmentation and hello brighter and smoother skin. The Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% from The Ordinary skin care line are here to target those unwanted dark spots and reveal glowing glass skin for the summer.

Azelaic acid is a type of dicarboxylic acid that is a natural substance commonly found in grains such as rye and barley. Unlike its cousins alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it is more gentle and safe to use on even the most sensitive skin types. It is mainly used as an ingredient to help hyperpigmentation and skin texture. This “unsung hero” also contains anti-inflammatory properties to block keratin production, which can clog up pores and eventually lead to acne.

The Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a lightweight cream texture meant to brighten the skin's overall appearance by improving tone and texture. It's great for reducing the appearance of stubborn acne scars and minimizing the appearance of pores. The product retail ranges from $10 to $25 depending on size and many users believe it is well worth the coin for a brighter complexion.

Another known brightening ingredient in any form or derivative of vitamin C, is ascorbic acid. We all know vitamin C is the reigning queen of skin brightening. What about alpha arbutin? Alpha arbutin is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in the bearberry plant that prevents the production of melanin.With the combination of a low concentration of a vitamin C and the antioxidant melanin inhibitor, you have yourself an effective skin brightener.

The Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% comes in a serum-like form packaged in an aesthetically pleasing amber bottle with a dropper. The water free stable solution retails for $11 and can be used both AM and PM to tackle dullness and hyperpigmentation. Because of the low dosage of ascorbic acid, it is also gentle enough for the sensitive skin beauties.

Glowish influencer Lipi has dull, dry and sensitive skin and is eager to test out these two Ordinary products to see if they will help with her post hormonal acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Upon initial application of both products, she notices a slight tingle on her face but attributes it to the skin care doing its job. After the first week of use, she notices her skin feeling a little extra dry than normal and wishes the products offered a bit more moisturization or hydration. Feeling a bit disappointed, she does not begin to see any major changes until the tail end of her two-week trial period of testing.

“I kind of expected a lot and I was really excited to hear positive reviews. But I don’t think it did as much as I wanted it to. I don’t think there has been a drastic change where I feel like I need to keep these in my routine.

- Lipi

Although the influencer did see some results, it wasn’t a great enough change in which she would continue to use the products. Despite it not working for her, she still feels the products performed up to its claims and with an affordable price point, would recommend it to others.

It's time to tackle those dark spots, sun spots and hyperpigmentation and reveal your skin's hidden beauty! Oh, because these products are working overtime on your skin, give it some extra love by remembering to apply your SPF!

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