The Ordinary, the disruptive and jaw-droppingly affordable skincare brand, is a few years old already. Can you believe it? Industry insiders, skincare obsessives, and dermatologists alike are firm fans of the brand, beloved for simple and straightforward formulations that are filled with some of the most tried-and-true actives out there. “They offer smart products that rely on quality ingredients, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, squalane, peptides, retinol, vitamin C, and more, all at lower prices compared to many other options,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, who also lauds the brand’s transparency about said ingredients.
But if you don’t know your alpha-arbutin acid from your alpha-lipoic acid, it can all seem a bit daunting. The Ordinary was founded to offer results-driven products at an affordable price. The only catch is that you need to know your ingredients since most of the formulations feature just one or two standouts, meant to deliver targeted, specific results.
And that’s where we can help. Ahead, we reveal everything you need to know about each product, from what it does to how to use it, plus some skincare tricks along the way. Worth noting: All the products are free of parabens and mineral oil (along with other nasties), plus the company doesn’t test on animals or pay others to do its dirty work.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Acids are used to slough away dead skin, brighten a dull complexion and improve texture. You’ll either get alpha-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic or lactic acids) or beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid); both types work on the top layer of the skin, but BHAs also work deeper into the pores, making them great for anyone with spot-prone skin.1
Ideal for anyone serious about exfoliation, the red-hued peel is a light liquid solution. There’s a slight tingling sensation, but you’ll be left with seriously bright skin. Use this twice a week for 10 minutes each time after cleansing and toning.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and is essentially your skin’s best friend. It speeds cell turnover, boosts collagen production, tackles pigmentation, reduces fine lines, and unclogs pores.2 The Ordinary offers Retinol in Squalane from 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1%, which is a light serum-like consistency.
Why the different percentages? Retinol can irritate sensitive skin or for first-time users, so you should build up the percentage over time. Use it at night after cleansing and applying water-based serums, but before oils or creams. This formula is the least potent of all the Retinol in Squalane formulas, deeming it a great option for retinol rookies.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
A brightening and smoothing toner, this formula boasts ginseng meant to further brighten and aloe vera meant to soothe. Use it at night (after cleansing and before serum).
THE ORDINARY Lactic Acid 5% + HA
There are two lactic acid products to choose from—a 5% (pictured here) and a 10%, both combined with HA 2%. The water-based serums offer a mild exfoliation while the HA hydrates the skin. Tasmanian pepperberry is included in both to help prevent irritation, according to the brand. Use these at night after cleansing and toning.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
One of King’s favorites from the brand, this is a lightweight serum containing different-sized hyaluronic acid molecules that penetrate to different depths. (As we know, hyaluronic acid attracts 1000 times its weight in water.4
John HE, Price RD. Perspectives in the selection of hyaluronic acid fillers for facial wrinkles and aging skin. Patient Prefer Adherence. Vitamin B5 works on the surface to enhance hydration and soften the appearance of fine lines and leave skin feeling smoother. Use this morning and night before oils and creams; it’s a great way to add extra hydration to the skin, says King.
The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% High Potency, Signs of Aging Serum
With all the benefits of the original Buffet, this has copper peptides 1% as well which helps to boost overall skin health-supporting normal immune function, collagen synthesis, fibroblast production, and anti-inflammatory responses, according to the brand.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The skin needs to acclimate to a powerful ingredient like retinol, so first-timers will go through a process derms like to call “retinization,” where breakouts, dryness, and irritation may occur.5 In other words, your skin may temporarily look worse before it starts to look better after incorporating retinol into your routine, but be patient—the end result is well worth the wait.
This formula is one to reach for once your skin has built up a tolerance to retinol (aka after the retinization process). Once lower concentrations of retinol no longer cause your skin to freak out, it may mean it’s time to graduate to higher potency, such as Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Ideal for dry and dehydrated skin, the HA stands for hyaluronic acid, which is a molecule that attracts 1000 times its weight in water,4 so it’ll help hydrate the skin. This is also a heavy serum; they both take around 10 to 15 seconds to absorb. Use at night after water-based products.
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Antioxidants protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature skin aging (think lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone and texture).6
Addor FAS. Antioxidants in dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(3):356-362. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175697
So what is free radical damage? It’s essentially damage caused by outside aggressors such as pollution and UV rays. They can also help protect from internal aggressors like the stress hormone cortisol.
A serious serum, this contains the two most powerful antioxidants. Wear this daily, especially if you’re a city dweller or sun worshipper, to protect your skin. Use it in the morning and/or at night after water-based serums. You can also cocktail this with a vitamin C serum.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Choose this serum if your concerns are blemishes and skin congestion. The zinc is meant to reduce the skin’s sebum activity so your skin won’t get quite so oily during the day. Niacinamide also tackles fine lines and dullness so expect your skin to generally just look more even and glowing. Use morning and night before heavier oils and creams.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects and brightens the skin.7 The Ordinary currently has eight products to choose from.
This contains L-ascorbic acid, the purest and most potent form of vitamin C. Blended with light silicones, this heavy serum feels seriously silky. For the first couple of weeks, you can expect it to tingle on use. Use at night after water-based products.
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
This combines Vitamin C at a lower concentration (good for sensitive skins) but combines it with alpha arbutin to still enable it to tackle dullness and hyperpigmentation effectively. Apply morning and night.
THE ORDINARY Amino Acids + B5
Choose this lightweight serum for above- and below-surface hydration if you have dehydrated skin. Amino acids are found within the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factors and are known for their ability to boost hydration.9 The addition of the humectant Vitamin B5 further soothes the skin and helps stimulate the healing process, as dehydrated skin can often result in breakouts and inflammation.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Featuring elements found in the outer layer of the skin that create a barrier to protect the deeper layers and to keep skin hydrated. NMFs are made up of multiple amino acids, fatty acids, urea, ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and more. If your skin is dry, rough, or irritated (think eczema or rosacea), apply this daily to try to bolster your skin’s function. Best used morning and night after serums.
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA
Matrixyl is a patented ingredient that has been developed to reduce the look of dynamic wrinkles (the ones that show when you talk or smile) and static wrinkles (that show even when your face is relaxed). Use morning and night before oils and creams.
The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum
“Caffeine is a helpful ingredient for under-eye puffiness because it causes the blood vessels to constrict, leading to a decrease in fluid accumulation. This is an elegant formulation for the eye area that contains enough caffeine to effectively decrease puffiness,” says King of one of her top picks from the line. The addition of epigallocatechin gallate glucoside (from green tea leaves) in this solution further helps tackle dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, according to the brand. Use morning and night before oils and creams.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
The following five products are made from different vitamin C derivatives that are slightly less effective, which means you’ll get the benefits but it will take longer. The benefits are that you won’t get any tingling and you can choose which consistency you prefer: water-based serum, oil or cream. You can also double up and use these in the morning too.
The formula contains a solution of ascorbyl glucoside, which—unlike L-ascorbic acid—stays stable in water. Long story short: This light water-based serum is more pleasant to use and still offers notable brightening results. Use morning and night before oils and creams.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream
Made from an ingredient produced by the yeast that lives on normal skin this brightens skin tone and evens texture, tackling marks left by blemishes too, according to the brand. This lightweight cream-gel suits all skin types. Use it morning and night after water-based serums.
The Ordinary Buffet Anti-Aging Serum
A great all-rounder, this serum contains a ton of peptides that do various things, hence the name. Then there are probiotics meant to help ease skin conditions like acne and rosacea while hyaluronic acid hydrates and amino acids are meant to nourish. If you’re not sure where to start with The Ordinary, this is a good place. Use morning and night after cleansing.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Rich in linoleic acid and provitamin A, this oil promises to nourish the skin and prevent the effects of photoaging (including pigmentation and fine lines). The cold-pressed extraction process doesn’t use heat, which means the oil is more potent, according to the brand. Use this one at night after water-based products.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Offering gentle, superficial peeling, its larger molecular size means it can’t penetrate as quickly, making it more gentle than other acids, according to the brand. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, because it’s kinder to skin you can use this every day in the evening. Seriously sensitive skin? It can be diluted into other products like your night serum or cream to help you build a tolerance, if necessary.
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
If you’re no stranger to pure retinol, or you’ve worked hard for weeks and months to build up your skin’s tolerance levels, introduce this formula into your skincare routine. While the concentration of retinol is higher, you can still expect the same results as the prior two, including refined pores, reduced wrinkles, and improved skin texture.
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
This ingredient should be used on areas where dynamic folds and wrinkles form: around the eyes, the forehand, and around the mouth. Use morning and night before oils and creams.
THE ORDINARY “B Oil”
With a purified form of micro-algae that is blended with squalane and oils of marula, argan, baobab, pataua, brazil nut, inca inchi, rosehip, and borage, this promises to boost skin radiance and fend off skin irritants and free radicals. Be warned though, the micro-algae gives it a very slight fishy aroma; despite that, it has glowing reviews. Use each morning to protect the skin.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
If pigmentation is your concern then this serum is for you. The alpha-arbutin travels down to your melanocytes (the cells responsible for melanin production) and stops them from working, which means pigmentation production will be inhibited.8 Use morning and night before oils and creams. You can also use it as an SPF in the morning after applying your final skincare product.
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
This comes in a higher percentage because it has been blended with vitamin F meant to act as a buffer, meaning you can brighten the skin without the tingling. This oil is light enough to absorb in seconds. Use morning and night before oils and creams.
THE ORDINARY EUK 134.01%
According to the brand, this molecule is a mimetic of superoxide dismutase and catalase. (I know, say what?) It’s a self-regenerating molecule that basically scavenges in the skin to eliminate free radicals by converting them into harmless water and oxygen. It’s essentially a bodyguard for your skin. Use it in the morning and/or at night after water-based serums.
THE ORDINARY 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil
With anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits, this is especially good for dry and irritated skin. Derived from the borage plant, a bright blue “starflower”, it is rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid),10 a type of omega-6 essential fatty acid that the body cannot make on its own. The oil is also rich in other fatty acids including linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acid. Apply a few drops daily.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Squalane is a hydrocarbon that is found naturally in the skin, this is seriously hydrating for complexions that are dehydrated or losing suppleness with age.11 You can also use it as a heat protector for hair. Best used morning and night after water-based products.
THE ORDINARY Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15%
An exceptionally stable and effective form of Vitamin C, this targets uneven and dull skin tones, as well as the signs of aging. Apply a few drops to the face morning and night.
THE ORDINARY 100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
This oil is rich in omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9 and antioxidant Vitamin E which is great for nourishing and protecting the skin.12 A good all-rounder, this oil helps to protect skin from free-radicals and improve its overall barrier function. Mix a few drops with your usual serum or night cream after any water-based treatments at night. This product tends to stain so wash your hands after use and let the product sink right in before resting your head on your pillow.
THE ORDINARY 100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil
Made from 100% pure Chia Seed Oil that is sustainably-sourced, organic, virgin, and cold-pressed. This calming oil contains an exceptionally high concentration of alpha-linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid, and linoleic, oleic, stearic as well as palmitic acids, together with multiple vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Another good all-rounder, you can use it on hair to soften, strengthen and boost shine, too.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
With a host of fatty acids, this oil is particularly good for skin that is suffering in winter (think rough and flaky). It also adds shine when applied to damp or dry hair. Use at night (or as needed) after water-based products.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
Like argan oil, marula oil can be used on the skin and hair. The antioxidant is known to hydrate the skin.13 Use at night (or as needed) after water-based products.
The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics
This contains marine-derived ingredients like Hawaiian red algae, glycoproteins, and blue-green algae. This serum has a texture like water, making it seriously quick and easy to layer. Much like HA, these ingredients are meant to deeply hydrate skin. Use at night (or as needed) after water-based products.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The brand’s first and only cleanser is gentle enough to be the first step for every skincare routine, and is an especially good pick for those with dry or sensitive skin, says King. This balm turns into a clear oil the longer you massage it on your face or hands, which makes it great for dissolving makeup, though it also helps maintain moisture in the skin simultaneously.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
While The Ordinary may be known for their affordable skincare, they’ve recently expanded into haircare with this hair serum. Packed with multiple peptides, natural extracts, and caffeine, this serum is meant to reinvigorate the scalp and make hair look dense and thick. Reviewers noticed that, over time, their thin or thinning hair appeared fuller. Use at night by massaging it into the scalp.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
This lightweight medium-coverage foundation has pigments suspended in The Ordinary’s proprietary spreadability system, which allows them to, you guessed it, easily spread on the skin. The serum texture enables pigments to sit on the skin surface without collecting in fine lines and looking unnatural.
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
Once you’re done applying serums and creams, this primer will mattify and prep your face for makeup. Using adaptive silicones, this primer promises to hydrate and blur to reduce the appearance of pores and make makeup adhere longer.
What to Look For in The Ordinary Products
The Main Ingredient For Your Skin Concern
The majority of The Ordinary’s products feature just one or two hero ingredients (rather than combining a laundry list of active ingredients into one formula). Do your research to figure out which are best for your particular complexion concern, and then assess the options.
The Strength of the Ingredients
Some key ingredients—such as vitamin C and retinol—come in different strengths and in a range of potency options. When in doubt, err on the lower side and gradually work your way up.
FAQ
Which The Ordinary product is best for beginners?
The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% + HA Spheres 2% is an excellent product for beginners because it isn’t too harsh on the skin for those not used to stronger acids or retinoids. Vitamin C is usually suitable for all skin types—though it can cause sensitivity—and hyaluronic acid helps moisturize without clogging pores or feeling too heavy on the skin.
Can I use The Ordinary Products every day?
You can use many The Ordinary products every day, depending on what they are. Some products contain acids and other chemical exfoliators that are best used two to three times per week or less, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Other products like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and other moisturizers can be used daily.
Why is The Ordinary so popular?
The Ordinary is so popular because its products are reasonably priced and effective. The brand uses simple ingredients in effective concentrations and combinations at lower prices compared to similar products.
