Nourishing Winter Skin: The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum
Last Updated on October 18, 2024 by Amy
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Barrier Blues: When Winter Strikes
Hi all, I’m typing this from the frozen depths of January, and my poor skin is taking a beating from this wild winter weather. Snow, rain, and the worst storm in my 34 years on this planet – yup, it’s been a rollercoaster. Add in a 4-year-old night visitor and some Retinol-induced skin rebellion, and needless to say, I’m not exactly glowing. My skin barrier has definitely not been my friend lately. I have seen The Ordinary’s Soothing and Barrier Support Serum all over social media and it felt like a good time to try it out!
If you have ever experienced red, irritated, sensitive, dry or dehydrated skin, you may have a damaged skin barrier. This can happen due to a multitude of factors such as air pollution, exposure to sun or cold weather, central heating and over-exfoliation of skin. I’m no dermatologist but my basic understanding is that your skin has an outer layer that helps to keep everything working in harmony. Your skin loses water more easily and becomes vulnerable when this layer is damaged. My tell-tale signs are a rough, almost gritty texture, a stinging sensation when applying skincare/makeup products, flakiness and redness. Yea not ideal… Thankfully, The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum has come to my rescue!
What is The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum?
My saviour from all of the above-mentioned nastiness has been this product- The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum. With its distinctive Pepto Bismol hue, this product claims to recover the skin barrier in just 2 hours. Bold claims!
It costs £17.30 for 30mls and you can buy it here at Space NK.
What’s in the magic potion, you ask? Well, it’s got Vitamin B12 for dryness and redness (also responsible for that pretty pink colour), Gallic Acid Derivatives for soothing, Bisabolol to reduce redness, a Soothing Complex to ease discomfort, Ceramide Complex, 2% Niacinamide to amp up hydration, and Sugar-based hydrators to boost moisture and support the skin barrier.
Plus, it’s alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. The Ordinary even boasts an “immediate 86% boost in skin hydration, soothing discomfort, and reducing signs of redness.”
Where does The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum belong in your routine?
The Ordinary recommend that you use it as a ‘treat’ step in your routine. This means that you should use it after cleanser and before oils or moisturiser, morning and night.
Pro tip: it pairs great with retinol to minimise irritation. I have been using it before my Skin + Me Daily Doser or straight after cleansing and before moisturiser on nights when my skin feels a little more irritated.
In my daily routine, it hangs out after the Beauty Pie Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser, and gets sealed with The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA moisturiser.
Just apply a few drops, smooth it in – it goes on clear, absorbs quick, no stickiness. If you are a Mum (or anyone who is short on time!) we all know how important it is that a product is quick and easy to use. You could easily apply this product without a mirror and be done in about 10 seconds.
Does it work?
So, the burning question – has The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum worked its magic on my tired, central heating-ravaged face? Well, I can’t vouch for the two-hour barrier repair promise, because, let’s be honest, I’m not sure any product is an instant superhero. However, after a solid month of use, my skin has seriously calmed despite the chilly weather and less-than-ideal sleep situations.
I started noticing a difference right after the first application. My skin went from a state of discomfort to feeling like it just slipped into a cosy sweater. The next morning, applying makeup was a breeze, and that annoying flakiness around my nose? Gone.
I’ve continued reaping the benefits – no more retinol-induced irritation, improved texture, plump and hydrated skin, and a blissful absence of breakouts. The serum has become my go-to solution for sensitised skin. For a powerhouse serum packed with impressive ingredients, all for just over £17, it’s definitely worth a shot.
Have you tried this serum? Let me know in the comments if it worked for you!
