Beauty review : The Ordinary PHA 5% Lip Exfoliating Serum

If you check in regularly you’ll know that I’m a big fan of a boldly pigmented lip – especially with a semi-matte or satin finish that really amps up the colour. Key to ensuring that kind of lip really pops and stays looking fresh however is a decent amount of prep, to ensure that everything that follows glides on like a charm.
This is where The Ordinary’s PHA 5% Lip Exfoliating Serum comes in handy – new to the industry-disrupting brand and already one of my hard and fast beauty essentials.

The details
A gentle chemical-based lip exfoliator with 5% Polyhydroxy Acid (Gluconolactone) to smooth and hydrate lips, The Ordinary’s new PHA 5% Lip Exfoliating Serum is the dream if you’re looking to prep and hydrate in one fell swoop.
WSGN research by The Ordinary found that while interest in lip care as an extension of facial care had increased, just like we’ve seen with hard and fast face scrubs as a method of exfoliation, social media mentions of “lip scrubs” had declined by a whopping 82 percent. Apparently I’m not alone when it comes to wanting to avoid removing several layers of the skin on my lips, especially when it’s accompanied by a feeling of being sandblasted and grains of sugar all over my face.
The pitch for this beauty is that its formula, which includes low molecular-weight polyhydroxy acids - the gentlest of exfoliating acids – works softly and effectively over time to buff away dead skin cells, smooth lips, and increase hydration.

The science
The Ordinary is a brand that leans heavily into all of the scientific details, and I’m here for it – even if the names of their products don’t always roll elegantly off the tongue!
The Gluconolactone that is key to this formula’s effectiveness is a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that works to dissolve the structures that hold dead skin cells together. Due to their larger molecular weight, PHAs work on the surface of the skin to offer mild exfoliation, making them suitable for sensitive skin – and especially the lips.
This beauty also includes a high concentration of glycerine to improve hydration and retain moisture, as well as ectoin to support the skin barrier and offer long-term hydration. There is also a black carrot extract in the mix that is known for its antioxidant properties, and this is also what gives the formulation its cute pinkish hue. The plant-derived ingredient can contribute to colour variations in the product ranging from vivid pink to pale peach, but fear not – this doesn’t impact its efficacy, which I’ve found to be consistently top notch.

How to use it
You might notice a slightly tangy taste and a mild tingle when using this product, so start by applying a thin layer onto clean, dry lips on alternate evenings as needed. Allow it to fully dry, then layer on your lip balm or mask of choice and let them go to work gently removing dry, dead skin and hydrating lips overnight. It’s of course the dream when used in concert with the brand’s Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm applied as needed throughout the day, and I highly recommend that prior to exposure to the sun, you apply sunscreen or lip product with added SPF for maximum protection.

So, there you have it! A perfectly primed pout can be yours - The Ordinary PHA 5% Lip Exfoliating Serum is available now (just $17!!) and comes highly recommended.

Main image: Vogue