Review: The Ordinary’s NEW Soothing & Barrier Support Serum – Is it soothing?

Where to purchase: The Ordinary: LINK / Beauty Bay: LINK / Sephora: LINK

Price: £17.30

Volume: 30ml

Made in: Canada

What is it + What does it do?: A Soothing Serum meant to provide relief to irritated skin and reduce redness while reinforcing the skin’s barrier. It is also meant to improve the skin’s texture, increase hydration and appearance.

Aims to: Repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier / increase skin’s hydration levels / reduce the look of redness / improve the skin’s texture and improve an uneven skin tone.

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types (Including Sensitive Skin)

What I think: I would agree; this is particularly useful for Sensitive and Sensitised Skins. My Oily-Combination Skin can tolerate this serum without finding it too heavy or oily. (However those in hot and humid weather with Oily and Very Oily Skins may not find this as comfortable SO, I would recommend The Ordinary’s Aloe + NAG Serum instead – Swatches + Review).

Vegan?: Yes.

Cruelty Free?: Yes.

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.

pH: 5.0-6.5

Packaging: Glass bottle with a dropper.

Why Pink?: This is due to the inclusion of Cyanocobalamin (B12) which is great when taken orally however there is little research showing the benefits of B12 when applied on top of the skin. Therefore the other Soothing and Anti-inflammatory ingredients included in this product (in my opinion) do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to reducing skin irritation and redness (I don’t think the pink colour was necessary).

Directions: ”Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening. Use after cleansing.” (From the Website).

How I use it: Due to the texture and scent of this product, I apply this in the PM > the AM. I end up using slightly more product as this absorbs/dries down quite quickly.

Key Ingredients: 2% Niacinamide (Brightening + Antioxidant + Helps reduce the look of pores and reduces excess sebum production + Also helps hydrate) / Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol (These are sugars that are hydrating humectants) / Sphingolipids and Phospholipids (Emollients i.e. they are moisturising and help with skin-barrier reinforcement).

The Soothing + Barrier-Supportive Ingredients in here: 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol (SymSitive – Reduces Stinging and burning sensations on the skin after 3 minutes) / Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid (SymCalmin – Anti-irritant and Anti-itch) / Bisabolol (Alpha-Bisabolol – the active part of Chamomile which is both anti-inflammatory and soothing) / Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside + Gallyl Glucoside (Antioxidant and soothing) / Zingiber Officinale Root Extract (Ginger Root Extract -Antioixdant and anti-inflammatory) / Madecassic Acid + Asiatic Acid + Asiaticoside (Derived from Centella Asiatica – Soothing + Anti-inflammatory).

Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Anhydroxylitol, Ethyl Linoleate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Naringenin, Cyanocobalamin, Panthenyl Triacetate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Bisabolol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Xylitol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Dicetyl Phosphate, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This is an emulsion so it is moisturising when applying onto the skin. I don’t get an immediate soothing or cooling feeling (like when you apply Aloe Vera for instance). This is slightly thick and gloopy (leaves a trail, as you can see in the picture swatches below) however it thins out once rubbed in and absorbs pretty fast! This doesn’t feel very sensorially fun or nice to apply (to me, it reminds me of a very thinned out mixture of water and powder applied onto the skin), however it’s not uncomfortable to wear once this has dried down/absorbed on my Oily-Combo Skin.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: No.

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see this is a pink, emollient serum. It contains fatty ingredients so it’s slightly milky. It’s also slightly viscous but nonetheless, is easy to spread along the skin.

Does the pink colour disappear?: To be honest, it’s difficult to be 100% sure due to my Warm Golden Skin tone if the product fully disappears once rubbed in; however it doesn’t seem or look noticeable on my skin.

• I assumed that this would have a similar texture to Revolution Skin’s Lipid Barrier Serum (Swatches + Review HERE), but this is slightly more powdery and less watery in texture and finish.

Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)

This does eventually dry down (doesn’t look this shiny, please see the video swatch below). But it doesn’t feel intensely hydrating (but more moisturising) even though this dries down quite quickly. It initially has a gloopy texture that thins out and very quickly dries down.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No and it is recommended to apply a product like this if and when the skin is irritated.

Summer or Winter?: This is fine for both seasons.

Layerable?: Yes (Doesn’t ball up).

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is a pink, and initially; gloopy serum that takes a while to run down the hand. However the more you spread this along the skin, it thins out and absorbs quite quickly. The pink hue dos eventually disappear the more you rub this in.

Fragrance?: This is Fragrance + EO Free, HOWEVER this has a potent smell to it as you rub in. It almost smells like chalk to me (so not very pleasant) but the scent does disappear eventually.

Good Under Makeup?: This is fine under makeup (doesn’t ball up or become too oily).

How long have I been using this?: ~2 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 2-3 Months (I only use this if/when the skin is irritated).

The Effect?: The brand states that this feels immediately hydrating, reduces the look f redness and in the long-term; improves the skin’s texture and appearance. I agree that this definitely helps reduce redness, irritation and sensitivity (not as intensely hydrating as they stat, but this is definitely moisturising). In the long-term, due to the inclusion of all the skin-beneficial ingredients and 2% Niacinamide; this has helped improve my skin’s condition, I feel like my skin doesn’t get as irritated easily or quickly, so it is helping build skin resilience.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Lightweght
• Not Greasy
• Not Sticky
• Fast-absorbing
• Soothing (actually alleviates irritation)
• Didn’t irritate my skin
• Moisturising

What I don’t like:

• The smell isn’t the best (reminds me of a chalk or paste)
• Not the most pleasant texture especially when spreading (it’s almost like I mixed powder and water together and applied it onto the skin by how it dries relatively quickly). However this is NOT drying.
• Not intensely hydrating

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (nearly 3.9)/5 – The sensory feeling of this product isn’t the best i.e. the pink-ish tint means I wouldn’t wear this in the daytime and also the smell of chalk (or paste) of this product isn’t the most sensorially elegant experience (this isn’t watery or very hydrating and gel-like in its finish) HOWEVER, this definitely does its job i.e. This does not sting, it does help alleviate symptoms of irritation and redness on the skin (however this doesn’t have a nice cooling sensation on the skin when applying like an aloe or gel product would, for instance).

I would recommend this to those with sensitive, sensitised skins and those with a weakened skin barrier who wants to build skin resilience and/or has reactive skin and has irritated/skin and wants to quickly soothe and repair the skin and alleviate redness.

Would I repurchase?: Yes (To only use if and when the skin is sensitive).

Dupe?: The La Roche Posay – Dermallergo Serum (Swatches + Review HERE) – This contains a specific ingredient that actively targets and alleviates the symptoms of skin irritation. This is a gel/watery serum texture so it’s more hydrating and less moisturising.

Available at: La Roche Posay: LINK / Cult beauty LINK / Look Fantastic LINK

• The Round Lab Pine Serum (Swatches + Review HERE) is a watery serum that is instantly soothing when applied onto the skin and like the Dermallergo, is Hydrating > Moisturising.

Available at: Yesstyle LINK / Stylevana LINK

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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