So, you’ve heard the buzz around The Ordinary and you’re intrigued to know more? Or, you want to try their products but haven’t got a clue where to start? Their extensive range of oils, acids and formulas can be daunting, especially if you aren’t sure what everything means. Well, you’ve come to the right place as this edit explores their hero products – and what makes them unique.
The Ordinary is changing up the skincare market with their innovative (and inexpensive!) creations. Their ambition is to create clinical formulations with integrity, which epitomises their brand: original products and honest prices. They blend together unique and sought-after natural and synthetic ingredients to formulate products that have a vast array of skin-loving benefits to treat your complexion.
From blemishes to ageing, dullness to dehydration, The Ordinary has a product that will combat your skin issues. Their original formulations are all vegan and cruelty-free, as well as being super-affordable, which means you can enjoy them without feeling guilty. It’s no wonder that they’re taking the industry by storm, and why so many people love them.
We’ve compiled a list of their 6 bestsellers that you need to try, that are all super-effective and won’t break the bank. Whatever your skin type, be prepared to meet your new beauty best friend.
1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml
If you struggle with an oily complexion, you probably already know how difficult it is to walk the fine line between reducing oiliness without stripping away the skin’s natural oils altogether. This can lead to your skin producing even more sebum, which is the culprit for your oily skin, giving you the opposite effect you were looking for. Confusing, and often a vicious loop. Well, you no longer have to worry anymore about that balance – The Ordinary has you covered.
There’s no wonder so many people love The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – this oil-free serum is perfect for those with oily and congested skin. Its high-strength vitamin formula minimises enlarged pores and the appearance of blemishes through the regulation of sebum, without drying out the skin or stripping anything away.
By managing the production of sebum, while still being intensely nourishing and conditioning, this serum hydrates the skin and controls oil production – finding the perfect balance. Dullness is diminished and skin is visibly brighter, as blackheads dissolve away to leave you with beautifully bright and radiant skin. Oil and congestion be gone!
2. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
When I’ve had a late-night, there’s no hiding it – my puffy eyes and dark circles immediately give me away. Well, not anymore.
One of my favourites of The Ordinary’s collection – it’s like a good night’s sleep in a bottle and keeps sleep-deprived eyes from telling tales. Just like how your morning coffee gives you a burst of energy, the high concentration of caffeine in this serum does the same thing to tired eyes. This ultra-lightweight oil contains 5% caffeine, which constricts blood vessels and helps to reduce puffiness around the eye contour. It also brightens skin, giving the appearance of well-rested and radiant eyes so that those dark circles are a thing of the past.
And also, you’ll be grateful to your younger-self for using EGCG around the eye area as you start to get older, as EGCG is a natural plant compound often found in green tea that helps to slow the signs of ageing. Not only will your eyes look brighter and less puffy, but you’re also protecting them from fine lines and wrinkles (such as crow’s feet) later down the road. No matter your age, it’s never too early to start protecting your skin from ageing, and it’s never been easier with this little wonder product that’s super affordable at £5.80.
It’s the perfect pick-me-up for tired eyes that need a bit of a wake-up call. The rest of the world need never know how late you stayed out last night!
Top Tip: Not only does this eye-opening product work wonders for your eye area, but the caffeine content also helps stimulate hair follicles, which is perfect if you have sparse brows and would love to thicken them up. Apply a few drops to the roots of your eyebrow hairs for bushier brows in no time.
Read more:
3. The Ordinary “Buffet”
This serum is what The Ordinary does best. It’s loved by so many, and it’s really no wonder why. Not only does it target multiple signs of ageing at once – using a comprehensive array of studied technologies – it also gives an intense surge of hydration. It doesn’t weigh down the skin and absorbs instantly, giving you a refreshed and revitalised complexion. It truly is a wonder serum!
The formula includes Matrixyl 3000, an anti-ageing peptide that targets collagen production to give you firmer and plumper skin. In addition, hyaluronic acid reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst keeping your complexion fully hydrated. The Ordinary has also enriched “Buffet” with 11 amino acids that work together to maintain healthy skin, and keep it looking youthful and radiant. The inclusion of Argireline and Syn-Ake (two active synthetic peptides) in this formulation both target dynamic lines, which are wrinkles caused by facial movements. So don’t worry about those laughter lines, just use “Buffet” serum and keep on smiling!
Whether you’re taking a preventative measure for the future, or perhaps your skin’s more mature and you’re looking to undo the effects of mother nature, make sure you add a few drops of The Ordinary “Buffet” serum to your daily morning and evening skincare regimes for continuous nourishment and more youthful and plump skin.
4. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Your one-stop-shop for ultra-hydration. This lightweight serum keeps skin refreshed and revitalised, and adds an instant boost of moisture. Once again, The Ordinary combines scientific research with technological advances to create a skin-loving serum that has a whole host of benefits.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an iconic skincare ingredient renowned for its moisturising capabilities It might sound a bit scary at first, but this hydrator is nothing to shy away from. HA is found naturally in the skin, meaning your skin readily accepts it, and this ultra-pure, vegan formulation will give all skin types a radiant moisture surge.
The molecular size of HA determines its efficacy, and the 2% concentration combines three varying molecular weights to ensure the best delivery into the skin. In addition, The Ordinary also use an advanced new HA cross-polymer, which offers multi-depth hydration and penetrates deeper to moisturise underneath the skin’s barrier, without drawing water out of the skin.
As well as hydrating benefits of HA, this serum is enriched with Vitamin B5, which protects the skin from damaging free radicals, such as UV rays and pollution. These can be incredibly harmful to your skin and are known for causing premature ageing. As well as shielding your skin, vitamin B5 also offers soothing benefits that help to reduce itching and inflammation.
Basically, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 quenches and nourishes the skin, keeping it glowing without drying it out. And at just £5.90 you can say goodbye to dull, dehydrated skin forever.
5. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Perhaps one of The Ordinary’s most renowned beauty products – and for good reason. This crimson-hued exfoliating peel will transform your skin, targeting dead skin cells and blocked pores to give you a clearer and brighter complexion in just 10 minutes.
Just as with the hyaluronic acid, if you’ve never heard of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA), they can sound a bit scary. The scarlet fluid even looks scary too! But don’t be afraid of this wonder peel. AHAs are water-soluble acids, and BHAs are oil-soluble. They are incredibly effective exfoliators that help to peel away dead skin so that new skin cells can regenerate.
The Ordinary has blended 30% AHAs with 2% BHA, making this an extremely potent peel. The 10-minute skin transformer intensely exfoliates the skin, working the skin’s topmost surface as well as going deeper to offer an extended exfoliation to help clear pore congestion. Skin is cleaner and regenerated and is visibly brightened with a radiant complexion, with skin-appearance looking more even and smooth.
This acid peel is enriched with Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative, which helps to reduce irritation that can sometimes be associated with acid use, making this direct acid conditioning as well as hardworking.
Once you incorporate this exfoliator into your skincare regime, you won’t be able to go without it.
Note: This AHA/BHA peel contains a very high concentration of free acids, so make sure you only try this one if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and you don’t have sensitive skin. Use no more than twice a week. Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
Contraindications: This formula should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin.
6. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
This onyx-black facial mask is perhaps one of The Ordinary’s underdogs – it’s an absolute must for anyone with oily or congested skin. If you loved The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml, then your skin will love this just as much.
Sebum is the body’s naturally-produced oil, and it helps to protect and moisturise the skin. However, when pores are clogged or if your complexion over-produces it, sebum can’t escape and builds up. This leads to blemishes, blackheads and oily skin. The Salicylic Mask loosens the top layer of dead or hardened skin and unblocks clogged pores, exfoliating the skin whilst deeply cleansing it. The complexion is visibly more even and feels softened from the first use; oiliness, blemishes and blackheads are a thing of the past.
Clay and charcoal are both renowned for their effective cleansing and purifying abilities. They contain negatively-charged particles which, when applied on the skin, act like magnets to draw out positively-charged facial impurities, such as sebum and dead skin cells. This rids skin of dirt, debris and impurities that can clog your pores, keeping your complexion clear and free from irritants.
By purging your skin of dead cells, dirt and bacteria, the 2% concentration of salicylic acid – a BHA – helps to purify and exfoliate, enhancing the appearance of skin’s smoothness and clarity.
Lacklustre tone and textural irregularities will be long-forgotten once the mask has been rinsed off, as your face feels incredibly softer and looks truly glowing. Skin is intensely exfoliated and cleansed, and it’s evidenced in your new radiant complexion.
Note: This product contains a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use as a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
Contraindications: This formula should not be used on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin.
