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The Ordinary Shampoo and Conditioner Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

This is a first impression rather than a full review of The Ordinary shampoo and conditioner, as I have only used once thus far, and I will update below in a couple months (update now available; see end of post).

The Ordinary has very recently released a new hair care line with a 4% sulphate cleanser for hair and body, a 2% behentrimonium chloride conditioner, and a hydrating serum for the scalp (they also have the previously released Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density). As with other products from The Ordinary, these new products are formulated with minimal ingredients and no added fragrance.

Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Hair and Body:

Deciem created this product with a scientific approach rather than following “clean beauty” trends that label sulphates as harsh for hair and skin, these harsh sulphates being sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, that can irritate the scalp and and strip the hair and scalp of moisture. I had not really linked sulphates to clean beauty, rather started using sulphate-free shampoo when I started getting my hair colored again a few years ago as sulphates can fade hair color faster. Before using sulphate-free shampoos, I just used drug store brand shampoo and conditioner like Revlon and Tresemme; I do not recall my hair or scalp being worse for it.

Interestingly, two shampoos I was browsing that include SLS is the blond shampoo from Kerastase and the shampoo for damaged hair from Shu Uemura.

Deciem says that their shampoo is strong enough to remove buildup, oils and dirt, and soft enough to be gentle on the skin and scalp. This can be used as a body wash and a shampoo.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

The sodium laureth sulfate here is SLES-2 at 4% (where other sulphate shampoos typically contain around 10-20%), which Deciem says is a milder sulphate that cleanses the hair well, is non-drying, gentle on the skin, does not fade color, and is for use on all hair types and textures.

Directions: This is a “daily use” cleanser. For hair, work into a lather and rinse thoroughly. For body, apply generously and lather.

I have an oily scalp and fine, dry hair that is not colored or otherwise treated.

The shampoo has no scent. This cleanser is clear and very thin, which was unexpected, and has very minimal lather (pictured in the hair photo above). This was a day 2 wash for me, so my hair was not overly oily, and when working it into my hair, I thought I maybe had some buildup or oil (though I had clarified four days prior) because there was not much lather, so shampooed my hair three times (I always shampoo twice); turns out it is not supposed to lather much (I expected lather because of the sulphate). On rinsing my hair, this cleansed the hair okay. By the end of the day (10 hours after washing), my roots and bangs were a little more soft and limp than with other shampoos, indicating some oils already (this does not usually happen until the middle or end of the second-day hair. The shampoo is very gentle. Before using this shampoo, I would have been reluctant to use on colored hair, however, I think it might be gentle enough for colored hair. I wonder if it would cleanse really thick or coiled hair well because the formula is gentle and the texture is so thin, and I imagine if the hair has a lot of product or oil buildup, a clarifying shampoo would have to be used the wash prior.

My scalp is always itchy. The itchiness comes and goes no matter what shampoo or product I use or how much or how little I wash my hair. I do not know why; I do not see any scalp issues, dryness or flakes. I was hoping this sulphate shampoo might help and thus far it has not, but perhaps with further use.

Not really an equal comparison I suppose, but I much prefer the Snobgirls shampoo I have been using lately, though The Ordinary shampoo is not too bad. That being said, I am not sure I would repurchase; maybe if I had a drier scalp, this would be more suitable for me.

I have not tried the cleanser as a body wash yet, but will update here soon.

Update (March 27, 2022): I have been using the sulphate cleanser as a body wash for a few weeks now. It feels nice while massaging on to the skin, like a soft gel cleanser, however, on rinsing, the skin is very squeaky and after a few uses feels a bit dry overall (though I follow with a body cream; a new favorite is this one by BIA Skin). The sulphate cleanser cleanses and rinses well and while it is okay as a body wash, I do not prefer it.

Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner:

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Again, this conditioner has minimal ingredients, using behentrimonium chloride as the conditioning agent for softer, smoother hair. Unlike most other conditioners, there are no butters or oils that may weigh the hair down. This is lightweight and suitable for all hair types and textures.

Directions: Work conditioner into wet hair. Rinse.

This is a thick, almost semi-translucent conditioner, like a thick lotion. My hair has dry mid-lengths and ends. Using this in the shower, detangling was good. My hair did feel not very silky while rinsing. I dried my hair in the LUS Brands hair towel for about 15 minutes. When I shook my hair out of the hair towel, it was a bit tangled in the back and looked a little drier than with other conditioners. After blow drying my hair, the bottom 3 or so inches looked a bit dry; there was not really a smooth feeling. The hair was not weighed down, however, did not seem to have as much movement, perhaps because it was a little dehydrated. I would for sure follow with a leave-in conditioner (and generally do anyway). I am not sure I would repurchase the conditioner.

I also bought the Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Scalp Serum formulated to support scalp hydration that I have not used yet.

As far as first impressions, the shampoo cleanses relatively well and I do not find the conditioner very hydrating or smoothing. As of now, I do not think I would repurchase either product, but will update here in a couple months.

Update (May 1, 2022) – I have now used the shampoo and conditioner for 6 weeks two to three times a week. The first 3 weeks I just used the shampoo and conditioner, followed by a leave-in conditioner and a blow dry. The next 3 weeks I used the shampoo and conditioner followed by my regular routine of leave-in conditioner and a hair oil, either Olaplex No. 7 or a hair oil capsule from Snobgirls, followed by a blow dry and an overnight serum, either from Kerastase or Shu Uemera. The last 2 weeks, I used my regular Snobgirls shampoo and conditioner, the K18 hair mask a few times, and followed the routine above.

By the end of the first 3 weeks (and even after the first use), my hair was quite dry and frizzy and lacked movement. With the shampoo being so thin, spreading it throughout the hair for a wash was a bit difficult, so I sectioned my hair into four and applied that way. It cleanses okay, but my hair was quite flat and lacked volume. I do not think the cleanse was quite enough for my oily hair and the shampoo was quite drying. For the conditioner, my hair did not have that silky, detangled feeling, I think because the shampoo was drying and the conditioner not moisturizing enough. My hair started breaking at the back underside of the hair (I am not sure the shampoo/conditioner would cause this, perhaps because my hair was very dry; I have had this issue previously when coloring my hair blonde and when I did not get it cut for 2 years). Adding the oils and hair serum for the second 3 weeks helped a bit with softness and movement of the hair, but not quite where it was previous. I added in 2 or 3 uses of the K18 hair mask, which helped a lot with the softness, dryness, frizz and hair movement, and with using my regular shampoo and conditioner, my hair is nearly back to normal.

I have also continued using the shampoo as a body wash and it is also drying to the skin.

I would not have thought a shampoo and conditioner could make such a noticeable difference to the hair. I would not repurchase either of The Ordinary’s shampoo or conditioner.

Thanks for visiting.

The Chemistry Brand Hand Chemistry Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

Hand Chemistry is a hand lotion from Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand that claims to target 8 signs of hand aging (brightness, elasticity, firmness, smoothness, density, evenness, hydration and texture), with noticeable results in 11 days.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Betaine, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool

Some unfamiliar ingredients – Plukenetia Volubilis seed oil, also known as sacha inchi oil, is from the Amazon rainforest rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Copper lysinate/prolinate is an amino acid/mineral complex that has the potential to target signs of aging. Plantago Lanceolata (also known as plantain) leaf extract has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Hand Chemistry contains fragrance and limonene and linalool are used as fragrance as well.

Directions: Apply to clean hands morning and evening.

I am 39 years old and have noticed fine lines and dull, thin and dry skin on my hands over the last couple years. I’ve used Hand Chemistry for 2 months so far, morning and evening, a bit less than one pump.

This is quite a thick cream. The fragrance itself is not bad or particularly overpowering and fades after a bit, but there is something about it that really bothered me for the first few uses, so much so that I got headaches (which is unusual; I am not generally sensitive to smells). After a few uses I guess I got used to it and no longer get headaches. The scent is an odd, sweet, cherry, bubble gum smell.

The lotion absorbs quite quickly with no greasy or heavy residue that leaves a protective moisture barrier after massaging into the hands. If I use too much product, or continue to massage in after the lotion is mostly absorbed, the product pills on the skin. The hands feel immediately hydrated, smooth and soft, however, this feeling does not too long, nor lasts past a hand wash (or even just a rinse with water) as with some other hand lotions I’ve tried.

Hand Chemistry provided some surface hydration; I expected a better level of moisture after 2 months of twice-a-day use. My hands still feel dry.

I didn’t feel or notice any improvement in brightness or smoothing of fine lines just looking at my hands, but in the photos above, there is noticeable improvement in these areas, particularly with brightness around the knuckles and an overall smoothed appearance of fine lines on the hands. My skin does not feel like it has improved density.

I am undecided about this product; I had hoped hydration and moisture to be better, but there is improved brightness and smoothing of fine lines. I recently got a hand/body lotion with 10% glycolic acid, so maybe using this or another more hydrating lotion (my favorite is from Akita Rosewater) under the Hand Chemistry would show more improvement. I also wonder if I can get similar benefit with using a routine similar to facial skin care with hyaluronic acid, a toner, niacinamide and a hydrating lotion perhaps; so a few things to try in the coming months.

Thank you for reading.

The Chemistry Brand Heel Chemistry Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 3 Comments

Heel Chemistry is a lotion by Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand that can be used on the heels and other areas that are very dry. This formula claims to hydrate cracked skin and provide hydration below the surface to improve hard skin, while providing a cooling effect, with results within 2 weeks.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Betaine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool.

Heel Chemistry contains a marine complex proven to improve skin texture and hydration and counteracting extreme dryness. Calendula provides healing and regeneration for short term and long term results. This does not contain urea or acids.

Directions: Apply to dry areas twice a day for 14 days and then as-needed thereafter. This can be used on heels, hands, elbows, knees and other very dry areas.

This is a thicker cream that has a minty scent. It is not oily or greasy. It absorbs after a couple seconds and has a cooling effect from the menthol and menthyl lactate.

I have very dry feet and heels with layers of hard skin on my heel and a callous on my big toe. I used Heel Chemistry twice a day all over the feet for about 17 days and once a day for the remainder of the month.

I didn’t take a photo at 14 days, but there was improvement in hydration and the rough feeling of the skin.

At one month, my skin felt softer, more hydrated and the roughness was gone. The callous on my big toe was more hydrated and softer, but still felt thick.

Heel Chemistry comes in a 100 mL tube and lasted me one month, using as above. I hope Deciem makes a larger size at some point. Once I ran out, after a couple days, my heels started getting a bit drier and a bit rougher. Overall, the results are pretty great and I will repurchase.

Thank you for reading.

NIOD Sanskrit Saponins Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 4 Comments

Sanskrit Saponins (SS) from Deciem’s NIOD is a pH-balanced, concentrated cleansing balm formulated with arginine and Ayurvedic plant surfactants. By deep-cleansing, SS claims to clean pores, clean dead skin cells without peeling and gently remove the skin’s own oils encouraging “natural recycling” of the oils. With continued use, SS is said to target build-up, congestion and blemishes. Claims are made that from the first use, SS leaves skin looking “pore-free,” clean and radiant.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Stearic Acid, Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arginine, Polysorbate 60, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Balanites Aegyptiaca (Desert Date) Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Melanin, Sorbic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Directions: This is to be used once every other day in the morning or evening, but can be used more often if desired. SS is not intended to remove makeup or sunscreen, so cleanse the skin using another cleanser as a first step. Wet face and lather SS into a paste in the hands for a few seconds. Apply and massage gently, avoiding the eyes, then rinse.

I have oily skin prone to breakouts and blemishes and often get build-up and congestion, especially in the T-zone. I’ve been using this on and off for a long while, and have purchased three tubes thus far.

SS is a light tan/beige color with a thin, cream-like consistency. It smells rather yeasty, which I don’t mind. It doesn’t lather or foam on massaging into the skin.

This is a product that I didn’t realize was doing much of anything other than a nice cleanse until I stopped using it after a few weeks. I then started using again and realized it had helped with clearing dead skin, making the skin smoother, and skin appeared clearer and less congested around my nose and forehead. I have since been using this as a morning mask and cleanse (with much better results than using as just a cleanser), putting a rather generous amount on dry skin, letting it sit while brushing my teeth or showering, then massaging with a bit of water and rinsing. Using it like this, my skin is immediately smoother and more radiant-looking from the first use. With continued use, I don’t feel like my pores look smaller, but my skin is generally clearer, cleaner, less oily and feels less bumpy. SS helps small breakouts along the jawline and whiteheads on the forehead. For bigger pimples, I’m not sure they are cleared up any sooner than the usual healing time, but seems to help with redness and irritation of these larger pimples and helps prevent these breakouts. This has no effect on the blackheads around my nose. SS is also nice to use with the Foreo Luna. SS rinses well and is not drying.

SS comes in a metal tube and once punctured, product runs out on opening the lid for the first few uses. I then have to try and close the lid really fast while product continues to leak out around the lid. There have also been some inconsistencies in the formula between the three tubes I have bought. In one, the SS was thicker, one was thinner and the last tube I bought had some small, hard particles in it; these were not uniform like in a scrub and were rather sharp on the face, but seemed to dissolve slightly in water while massaging the cleanser on the face.

Sanskrit Saponins has become one of my favorite morning masks/cleansers. It provides the results claimed (except for the skin appearing pore-free) and I will continue to purchase.

Thank you for reading.

The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 5 Comments

Marine Hyaluronics from The Ordinary uses marine-derived water reservoirs that act as hyaluronic acid in that it performs as a humectant. This product claims to attract and hold water to the skin, providing hydration.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Algae Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

This product contains skin-friendly bacteria, red algae, blue-green algae, glycoprotein (works with ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, ceramides for healthy-looking skin) and amino acids. Sodium lactate can be used as a humectant.

Contrary to the name of this product, it does not contain hyaluronic acid. Some find hyaluronic acid products to be sticky or tacky and to pill under other products, such as with The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, that some reviewers have mentioned. I have not tried this one yet (I’m not sure I will) so can’t compare the two.

Directions state to apply a few drops to clean skin, morning and night, before creams.

For reference, my skin is oily in summer and combination in winter and prone to breakouts. I live in an area that is dry in both winter and summer. I’ve been using the Marine Hyaluronics for about 9 months, morning and evening.

The product comes in a dropper bottle. It is a light-weight, clear product with a very thin, water-like consistency. Because it so thin, I put the drops directly on my skin from the dropper; otherwise it runs through my fingers if applied that way. This might be better in a spray bottle. This can be mixed with The Ordinary’s 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder.

Some reviewers have mentioned that it smells bad; like fish or seaweed. I’ve purchased three bottles thus far and if anything, I thought it had maybe a plastic-like scent in the bottle; definitely not fish or seaweed, and I don’t smell anything when it is on my skin.

I apply this after cleansing and toning. The Marine Hyaluronics soaks right into the skin with no residue and no pilling with other products. When I used this for the first few weeks, my skin felt a bit more hydrated and not as tight, but I thought it should perhaps be doing more. I got no unusual breakouts with use.

I caught a YouTube video on hyaluronic acid and how these serums really only work when it’s raining and there’s a lot of moisture in the air. I figured the same must be true of the Marine Hyaluronics (being a humectant), so I then started misting my face with water; something like Caudalie Grape Water, Evian Mineral Water Spray or tap water in a spray bottle, then applying the Marine Hyaluronics. Neither water nor hyaluronic acid are hydrating on their own, but together they made quite a difference to my skin. This is how I found out I have dehydrated skin even though it is oily.

Since using a water mist, then applying the Marine Hyaluronics, my skin has been hydrated, less tight and more plump-looking with an overall nicer complexion. I use this on my hands and lips as well which are frequently dry. I also use this under my eyes. This product, along with NIOD’s SDSM, seemed to provide enough hydration for me in the summer, and now that it is getting colder, I’ve just started using the Cosrx Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream.

To note, for skin to be fully moisturized while preventing water loss, it needs an emollient, a humectant and an occlusive, so water and the Marine Hyaluronics alone do not provide all three.

I quite like The Ordinary’s Marine Hyaluronics and have repurchased a few times now. I notice that my skin has a dry, slightly tight feeling when I do not use this product.

Thank you for reading.