The Ordinary’s £6 serum foundation is finally back – here’s why I love it

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cast your mind back to 2017, when The Ordinary launched its serum foundation. Costing less than £6 (at the time) and with added skincare benefits, it soon amassed a waiting list of more than 25,000. Despite its huge fan base, it was mysteriously discontinued just a couple of years later. But, now it’s back.

Back in the day, nearly every single one of my friends and I had The Ordinary’s formula. Providing lightweight coverage and a natural finish, without drying out the skin, it was the perfect foundation for our university years.

But it wasn’t just the younger, more frugal generation who loved it. Beauty editors raved about the efficacious formula, comparing it to luxury foundations that were more than quadruple the price.

In IndyBest’s review from 2021, our beauty expert said: “If you want a lightweight, sheer coverage, natural finish foundation that lets your skin’s natural light and texture shine through without exacerbating the appearance of lines and pores, we highly recommend the serum foundation.”

So, why was it suddenly shelved? In an Instagram post from 2022, The Ordinary explained that despite the formula’s popularity, the accessible price point meant they weren’t making enough money to continue producing it.

But I’m ready to forgive and forget, as the beauty bemouth has officially re-launched the cult serum foundation. At £6.40, it’s ever so slightly higher priced than its predecessor, though we can only hope this means it will stick around for good this time.

The updated formula promises to offer the same lightweight and buildable coverage as the OG, available in 36 shades for a natural finish. It’s designed to blend seamlessly, resist settling into fine lines and leave a radiant glow, it’s also suitable for all skin types. If, like me, you mourned the loss of The Ordinary serum foundation, here’s how to stock up on the re-introduced formula.

(The Ordinary)

The Ordinary serum foundation has returned in the same recognisable packaging. The compact, 30ml bottle with a pump applicator is perfect for throwing in your bag for topping up on the go or travelling. And at £6.40, it’s a fraction of the cost of other 30ml foundations.

The 36 shades have been categorised in fair, medium and dark skin tones, the lightweight formula boasts a serum consistency that can be seamlessly blended or built up. If it’s anything like the OG formula, the foundation gives that your skin-but-better look, adding radiance and smoothness while masking blemishes and redness.

The formula doesn’t go on cakey, nor does it crack after a few hours of wear (trust me, I wore it on many student nights out). Plus, it’s lightweight enough to be applied with your fingers – though I’d recommend using a beauty blender to get fuller coverage.

The skin-loving formula benefits from glycerin and hyaluronic acid to provide you with that much-needed hydration boost, while the star ingredients of mica and dimethicone help achieve a radiant finish.

The Ordinary says that the serum foundation is only back for a limited time only – so, I’ll be stockpiling for the foreseeable – and I suggest you do the same.

The Ordinary’s anti-ageing serum delivered ‘impressive results in very little time’, our beauty expert testified


评论

发表回复

您的邮箱地址不会被公开。 必填项已用 * 标注