Squalane Cleanser | Mandelic Acid 10% | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Skin Type : Oily-combination, very sensitive

Climate : Hot and humid

Duration of Use : Around 6 months

Squalane Cleanser - Great for everyday sunscreen removal or light makeup. Won’t cut it for full glam, but feels lovely on the skin.

This is my go-to daily cleanser. It looks like your average moisturizer but warms up into a soft balm once you rub it between your fingers. Not oily, not greasy, just nice. I use it as the first step in double cleansing, and it handles sunscreen, liquid lipsticks, and mild eye makeup like a champ.

That said, it taps out when faced with actual makeup (foundation, blush, even powder). So if I’ve got a full face on, I bring out the oil cleanser instead. Still, this one's my everyday MVP as it leaves my skin soft, calm, and not stripped.

Pros :

Gentle but effective (on lighter stuff)

Nourishing without being oily

Soothing, perfect for sensitive skin

Can double as a standalone cleanser for dry skin types

Cons :

Can’t remove heavy makeup

Needs warming up in your hands before applying (tiny inconvenience)

A fave. Will repurchase.

Mandelic Acid 10% - Gentle glow-giver. Perfect for sensitive skin, but not a miracle worker.

I use this twice a week at night, and I’ve been building up very slowly. It’s incredibly mild and doesn’t irritate me at all which is a big deal because my skin throws tantrums at the slightest provocation. I usually pair it with the Salicylic Acid mask once a week, so I don’t want to overdo the actives.

Even with that low frequency, I do notice a subtle glow the next day. It’s not going to fade your scars overnight or nuke hyperpigmentation, but it's solid for general upkeep. If I were to use an exfoliating serum daily (unlikely, but hey), it’d be this one.

Pro or Con (depending on your needs) :

Very mild exfoliation. Great for sensitive skin. Not great for fast results.

Gentle, non-irritating, works fine. Will repurchase unless I stumble on a better gentle exfoliant.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - Not for my face but surprisingly great for body pigmentation.

Backstory : My skin hates most actives. Vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, Niacinamide as you name it, it’s broken me out. I’ve tried different strengths, brands, and textures. Same reaction every time.

So yeah, this one broke me out too. I gave up on using it on my face. BUT I handed it off to my sister, and she had a rough, pigmented patch on her ankle. This stuff cleared it up. Major improvement. So yes, it works but not for me.

Pros :

Hydrating formula

Helps with pigmentation (on areas that tolerate it)

Cons :

Not any more impressive than other niacinamide serums out there

Broke me out (as expected, tbh)

Not for my face. Will not repurchase.

👉 Part 1 of my The Ordinary review is here.

https://olive-talk.com/talk/r/1zJ3Wmq/the-ordinary-diaries-hits-misses-holy-grails-part-1