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If you want endless skin compliments, try these affordable products from The Ordinary
There’s no loyalty like that of a skin care lover who has finally found their holy grail product. When it comes down to it, skin care enthusiasts are passionate about their beloved go-to products and brands. One brand on many people’s beloved list is The Ordinary, and it’s easy to see why.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + EGCG Depuffing Eye Serum
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Hyperpigmentation Serum
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Those privy to the brand know that The Ordinary is actually pretty extraordinary. The skin and hair care brand focuses on “clinical formulations with integrity.” Basically, the brand delivers potent skin care formulations at an extremely low price — like under $15 per product.
The brand is especially famed for its serums, listing active ingredients in the product names so you know exactly what you are getting. The Ordinary skin care’s potent formulas have a cult following on social media, often highlighted on TikTok as the MVP of skin care. In fact, when you add up the views of all TikToks mentioning the brand, you get more than 1.4 billion views.
The Ordinary’s mega popularity boils down to quality and price. Basically, you won’t get better results even from luxury skin care brands. Plus, picking up a $6 serum is certainly accessible no matter your skin care budget.
The brand’s ethics are also often lauded on social media. The Ordinary’s skin care products are all vegan and cruelty-free, meaning the brand doesn’t test on animals. (The brand, however, is owned by Estee Lauder, a parent company that allows some of its other brands to perform animal testing.) The Ordinary is also often highlighted for its clean ingredients — the brand formulates its products without fragrance, alcohol, silicone, parabens, sulfates, oils and oxybenzone. All products are also gluten and nut free.
If you are in the market for affordable skin care products, nothing beats The Ordinary. It’s that simple. Check out some of The Ordinary’s skin care products below categorized by skin concern for easy shopping.
For oil control: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum, $6
For hydration: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum, $8.90
For purging clogged pores: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution, $9.50
For smoothing textured skin: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution, $13
For brightening: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream, $11.10
For makeup removal: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, $9
For de-puffing: The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + EGCG Depuffing Eye Serum, $8.90
For anti-aging: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, $11.70
For acne control: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, $6.50
For hyperpigmentation: The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Hyperpigmentation Serum, $11.10
For clarifying: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, $13.30
This bestselling water-based formula is vitamin and mineral-infused, containing 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc PCA. Niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3, is a superhero skin care ingredient essential to your skin health. Niacinamide helps to regulate oil, minimize pores, soothe redness, banish blemishes and texture, treat hyperpigmentation and a whole lot more. Zinc PCA, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring compound in the body that combats breakouts and redness. Using these active ingredients, this mega-popular product by The Ordinary decreases shine, minimizes enlarged pores and smoothes skin texture.
If dry skin is your main concern, look no further. Another bestseller by The Ordinary, this hydrating serum is a lightweight water-based formula combining low, medium and high molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with a hyaluronic acid crosspolymer. All those fancy words mean deep hydration for your dry, dull skin. Simply put, hyaluronic acid is a hydrating and skin-healing compound your body naturally produces, making it a must-have skin care ingredient.
Made for weekly use, this peeling solution is a water-based acid exfoliator that helps clear all that gunk out of your skin. Though it may sound scary to the inexperienced, chemical exfoliating is a super-effective way to smooth skin — and sometimes even better for sensitive skin than physical exfoliants. This solution, which contains AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid), addresses “textural irregularities, dullness, and signs of congested pores.” The brand recommends this specific product for experienced users of exfoliating acids.
Maybe you aren’t ready to dive into the pro-level exfoliator above — or maybe you simply have super sensitive skin. Either way, try this mild exfoliant instead. Containing glycolic acid (which is an AHA), this toning solution promises to improve skin radiance and clarity with a careful hand. It also helps smooth skin if used regularly, according to the brand. Along with a mild AHA, the toner contains Tasmanian pepperberry, an ingredient that calms skin irritation associated with acid use. The product recently went viral on TikTok for its ability to treat body odor and dark spots in a user’s underarms. Really.
If you are hoping to combat dull skin, The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream (phew, that’s a mouthful!) is just the ticket. The formula promises to brighten skin while also addressing uneven tone and textural irregularities. You can use azelaic acid to treat acne and rosacea, making this product specially tailored to those experiencing either — or both — skin concerns.
This super-gentle cleanser, which has a balm-to-oil texture, was formulated to melt away makeup while still leaving skin smooth and moisturized. It contains plant-based squalane, an “it” ingredient noted for increasing skin hydration. Squalane mimics squalene (with an “e”), a natural oil in the body that is key to skin health and hydration. Squalane (the skin care ingredient) also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to address acne and eczema.
Reenergize your complexion with The Ordinary’s caffeinated eye serum. That’s right — this skin care must-have contains 5% caffeine and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Both active ingredients work together to minimize puffiness and dark circles, refreshing your eye area.
If you are a skin care enthusiast, you likely know retinol and retinoids. Of course, The Ordinary has its take on the popular skin care must-have. The brand’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is a retinoid serum with a creamy texture made to improve skin texture, elasticity and radiance. Made for daily application at night, the serum is said to be gentler than typical retinol, giving you all the benefits without any harsh skin impacts.
If you are looking for a product formulated to address acne, check out The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. This lightweight serum encourages cell turnover, helping to heal and prevent breakouts. The brand promises clearer, smoother-looking skin, adding that the product is especially great for “teenagers with mild to moderate acne.” And it’s all thanks to that powerhouse salicylic acid.
The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Hyperpigmentation Serum is a lightweight, water-based formula that addresses dark spots, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Though the name doesn’t roll off the tongue, the benefits and ingredients are simple to understand. Alpha arbutin is a plant-based skin care ingredient that brightens skin and HA, or hyaluronic acid. Simple.
For intense cleansing and clarifying, reach for The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque. This clay mask contains 2% salicylic acid and vegetable charcoal which work together to smooth and clear skin. And that’s not even to mention that oh-so-fresh after-mask feeling. This product can be used by those who have dull, blemish-prone skin.
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