Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Paola Castillo

The Ordinary is a beauty brand whose skincare routine has recently skyrocketed in popularity in both the cosmetics and skincare industries. It’s fascinating to see a new skincare brand that doesn’t have a high price tag make waves in stores like Ulta or Sephora.

The majority of the products by the Ordinary are about $5-10. In comparison to most high-end brands that have products ranging from $40-100, this is pretty impressive. It’s pretty well-known now that the cosmetics and skincare industry has a very high profit margin. However, for The Ordinary to be able to create great products with great ingredients at such a low price point makes them such a unique competitor in the industry.

Put simply, this is a brand that’s very conscious of its ingredients. Most of their products don’t contain fragrances or essential oils, which is great. There are not a lot of skincare benefits from either of those ingredients. The Ordinary is very transparent about what is in its products. Each ingredient and percentage is displayed right on the front so that you can see exactly what you’re putting on your skin.

Another great quality about this brand is that all of its products are in glass packaging. Not only is it rare to see such a low price point product have a glass bottle, but it is so much better for the environment to have a glass bottle. These bottles can be recycled more times and way more easily than plastic bottles. Also, it’s worth noting that most products at the same price point as The Ordinary do not come in glass packaging. All in all, you are getting a higher-end experience for a much lower price point. 

Let’s get into some of The Ordinary skincare routine products:

The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

We can see right away from the first product’s name that The Ordinary is not playing around. They want to tell you exactly in the product’s name which ingredient you are primarily going to be getting.

This product is perfect for all of the dry skin beauties out there. Hyaluronic acid is great for helping the skin retain moisture throughout the day. The Ordinary claims that hyaluronic acid can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of the hyaluronic acid ultimately determines the depth of penetration to the skin. This product allegedly combines low, medium, and high-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for some serious hydration. The vitamin B5 in this product is especially great for enhancing the surface hydration of the skin.

Finally, this product is also cruelty-free, vegan, and does not contain any alcohol, gluten, nuts, oil, silicone, parabens, or sulfates.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine: AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

This is a great 10-minute exfoliating facial. This is going to be the perfect product for anyone who wants to combat dullness and texture on the skin. This product will deeply exfoliate while improving radiance and the look of fine lines.

If you do decide to use a chemical exfoliant that is a little stronger than others, be sure to proceed with caution. You may feel a slight burning sensation but probably nothing too crazy. It’s best to test these types of products on a small patch of skin before adding them to the whole face, as all of us have different sensitivities to different products. It is also important to remember to moisturize deeply after you exfoliate, as it can leave the skin a little dryer than usual.

Chemical exfoliants are much better than harsher scrubs with granules in them. Harsh scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin, which can in turn harbor bacteria and other things that are not good for the skin. That’s why products like this one are worth checking out if you are looking for a new exfoliant.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This product’s name can be a head-scratcher. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is said to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. The zinc in this product is great at balancing aspects of sebum activity.

This product is going to be great for anyone who is struggling with the appearance of large or clogged pores. It is recommended for people with normal-to-oily skin types. Unclogging your pores and reducing the appearance of sebum can also be great for the way your makeup lies on your skin. If you have a smoother canvas to work with, your complexion products are more likely to appear airbrushed onto the skin.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Retinol is a great ingredient for anyone who is looking into anti-aging. This can help refine skin texture, provide anti-aging benefits, exfoliate and smooth the skin, reduce the appearance of pigmentation, improve skin hydration, and treat acne. Retinol is a powerful ingredient that can help out with so many different skincare issues with continued use.

Since retinol is an ingredient that is a little more potent, The Ordinary recommends the use of sun protection when using this product. It’s important to introduce this type of product slowly to see how your skin reacts to it, but it can nevertheless have fantastic anti-aging benefits when you find the routine that works best for you.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

This toning solution exfoliates and tones the skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid that exfoliates the skin, while Tasmanian Pepperberry helps reduce irritation associated with acid use. The product’s Ginseng Root and Aloe Vera help promote radiance and soothing benefits to the skin as well.

This product is going to be great for anyone looking to exfoliate yet soothe the skin at the same time. Having a toner in your skincare routine can be very beneficial. It helps renew the pH balance in your skin after all of the environmental and physical interferences you encounter every day. A toner is also great at sweeping away all of the dirt and unwanted substances left on the skin after your daily cleansing. This particular toner is especially great at gradually improving the texture of the skin. Using this product daily is perfect for brightening your overall complexion.

Our Opinion of The Ordinary’s Skincare Routine

The Ordinary skincare routine

It’s important to remember that skincare is unique for every user. What may work for your favorite beauty influencer may not be something that works out for you. Luckily, The Ordinary has products at such a low price point that it won’t break the bank to try one or two of them out. For the price point, the performance of these products is incredible.

The best way to look at The Ordinary’s lineup might be to see them as companion products. Adding a few extra steps besides just using your average cleanser and moisturizer can help target those specific minor issues you are facing. If you feel a little dry, pick up the Hyaluronic Acid. If you feel that your skin has too much texture, then maybe the Exfoliating Mask is for you. Either way, these products have amazing ingredients for their value and are too good to resist.

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Meet Kourtney, a writer specializing in sex and relationships. Known for her honest and insightful approach, she explores themes of intimacy and personal growth. Her work combines personal anecdotes, expert opinions, and practical advice, helping readers navigate the complexities of modern relationships and embrace their desires. Kourtney's writing serves as a guide for those seeking authentic and fulfilling connections.