Boots Ingredients is the new skincare range ready to challenge The Ordinary who arguably has the market share of this corner of the market. I’ve always been a big fan of The Ordinary products and I’ve written about them twice (you can read my round one review here and my round two review here).
How does Boots Ingredients stack up against The Ordinary?
Boots are following the principles that worked so well for The Ordinary; great skincare with no fuss branding at value prices. The product sizes are small with simple packaging, keeping costs down making it an affordable range. Unlike The Ordinary, Boots Ingredients doesn’t clarify the exact amounts of ingredients in the range so it’s tricky to do a comparison but I’ve been using the products for the last few weeks and I’m ready to share my thoughts.
Vitamin C Serum
I’m starting with my favourite product of the range. I’m a big fan of Vitamin C products in general; I love how they make my skin look brighter and more refreshed. There isn’t really an equivalent by The Ordinary; I’ve tried the Vitamin C suspension but I did’t really get on with it. I usually use the Vitamin C Serum as part of my morning routine after toning, before apply my moisturiser. It absorbs into my skin quickly without feeling sticky.
The Boots Ingredients Vitamin C Serum costs £6 for 30ml.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
It was The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid that first got me obsessed with this type of product in the first place. Hyaluronic acid makes skin feel plumper, more hydrated and glowy. I really like the formula of the Boots Ingredients product, it’s a slightly more viscous and thicker than The Ordinary version which I find easier to apply. There’s nothing worse than a runny serum that runs all over your hands and drips everywhere before you can get it onto your face. The packaging is simple; a plastic container with a pump so not quite as luxurious as The Ordinary equivalent which comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. I apply the Hyaluronic Acid serum after cleansing and toning with a single pump and apply across my face before moisturising.
The Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Serum costs £5 for 30ml.
Salicylic Acid Serum
I like to use Salicylic acid in my skincare routine when I’m suffering from breakouts because it goes deep into the skin. Again, it’s difficult to understand how effective this product is as the quantity of Salicylic acid is not known. The Ordinary isn’t currently selling their version of Salicylic acid at the moment so this version will do for now. I tend to reach for the Salicylic Acid serum a couple times a month and apply it as part of my evening routine after cleansing and toning with a single pump and apply across my face before moisturising.
The Boots Ingredients Salicylic Acid Serum costs £7 for 30ml.
Glycolic Acid Toner
I’ve tried and tested a lot of different acid based toners and the Boots Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner is average at best. Glycolic acid helps to lift dead skin cells revealing brighter skin underneath but the Boots version doesn’t feel like it’s doing anything at all to my skin. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution works out at much better value for money at £6.80 for 240ml and it’s a better product (much more exfoliating). I apply the Glycolic Acid Toner with a cotton pad and sweep it across my face after cleansing.
The Boots Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner costs £5 for 100ml.
Caffeine Eye Cream
Caffeine is great for reducing dark circles under eyes
The Ordinary doesn’t do a caffeine eye cream – instead their caffeine product is more of a serum with a dropper and I’ve never quite got on board with it. I prefer the Boots Ingredients Caffeine Eye Cream which is easier to apply although it’s not clear how much caffeine is actually in the Boots Ingredients product (caffeine is listed quite far down the ingredients list which isn’t a good sign).
The Boots Ingredients Caffeine Eye Cream costs £6 for 15ml.
The range itself is small, with only eight products so I hope to see it expand to include a retinol product and some face masks. It’s a great entry level range for beginners if you’re trying out different products for the first time and don’t want to spend a fortune.
Have you tried any Boots Ingredients products before?
