The team at The Ordinary has been busy this year. The O. Lab, described by the brand as “a space for what’s next”, has created six new formulations to complement your regimen.
Four of the products are already available: the Multi-Peptide Eye Serum launched in January, followed by the Natural Moisturizing Factors & Phytoceramides, the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, and most recently the Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution.
Next up, the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, is set to launch on April 26. It’s a gentle, creamy formulation that helps to remove makeup and clean the skin while maintaining hydration. While it’s suitable for all skin types, people with dry skin or a compromised skin barrier will find it particularly favourable. You can get early access to the product from next week by signing up here.
Liam Hislop, education associate manager at The Ordinary’s parent company Deciem, says The O. Lab’s products are “designed to be incorporated into existing regimens … using key ingredients that target specific skin concerns”.
Deciem’s chief scientific officer Prudvi Mohan Kaka adds that, while the cleansers are suitable for all skin types, those with dry skin may prefer to try the Squalane Cleanser or Glycolipid Cream Cleanser. For people with combination or oily skin, he suggests the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser. All three products can also be used in combination for double cleansing routines.
“The Glycolipid Cream Cleanser can be used either as the first step or the second,” Mohan Kaka says. “If you would like to combine the Glycolipid Cleanser with the Squalane Cleanser, then it is ideal to be used as the second part of the double cleanse routine. However, if you prefer to pair it with the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, we recommend using it as the first step”.
Heading into the cooler months, it’s more important than ever to restore and protect your skin barrier. Dry environments (such as heated homes and offices), sun exposure, over-exfoliation and even stress can disrupt its function and lead to concerns like itchiness, dehydration, infections or delayed wound healing. “A disrupted skin barrier ultimately can have an impact on altering the skin’s pH. The Glycolipid Cream Cleanser was formulated to be non-drying and non-stripping to help preserve the skin’s natural pH,” Mohan Kaka says.
While it can be confusing to identify and choose the right products, The Ordinary’s team is happy to help break down the science – either at its first physical Australian store, which opened on Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street late last year (Deciem previously had spaces in Sydney and Melbourne), or with virtual consultations.
“Some of the ingredients launched in this new range of products may be less familiar to our audience,”Mohan Kaka says. “The Phytoceramides within our formulations are a mixture of plant-derived molecules that help to improve the look of skin quality, for a fresher, more plumped appearance. NAG (N-acetyl glucosamine) is a biotechnology-derived ingredient with moisturising properties that also target the look of uneven skin texture and tone, a common concern associated with post-acne marks.”
The sixth and final (for now) product is available in May and will offer a lightweight alternative to the brand’s moisturising range. If you haven’t already, sign up to The O. Lab for sneak peaks and first access.
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