We’ve Found the Best The Ordinary Products to Add to Cart, Based on Your Skin Concerns
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Low on time? Check out our key takeaways below
Key Takeaways
- The Ordinary has become immensely popular due to its affordable, effective single-ingredient serums.
- Identifying your skin type and concerns is crucial in choosing the right The Ordinary products for your skincare routine.
- For beginners, I recommend starting with The Ordinary The Daily Set, which includes a cleanser, hydrating serum, and moisturiser.
- Hydration is key for dry skin; products like The Ordinary Supersize Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 are essential for restoring moisture.
- Gentle cleansers like The Ordinary Supersize Squalane Cleanser are perfect for sensitive skin, ensuring comfort without irritation.
- For acne-prone skin, I suggest using The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for clearer skin.
- Anti-aging products should include The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% and retinol serums for skin health and youthfulness.
- To combat pigmentation, I recommend The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% and Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA for a brighter complexion.
- Oily and combination skin can benefit from The Ordinary The Balance Set, which helps to manage sebum and blemishes.
- Textured skin can improve with chemical exfoliants like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner for a smoother appearance.
- For brightening, I suggest The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% to tackle dullness and uneven skin tone.
- Mixing products from The Ordinary requires caution; avoid combining retinol with vitamin C or exfoliants to prevent irritation.
Hello and welcome to your ultimate The Ordinary guide!
If you've ever found The Ordinary products confusing, allow us to be your The Ordinary skincare guide, holding your hand as we wade through all The Ordinarys serums and skincare ingredients.
Figuring out which are the best The Ordinary products to add to cart might feel overwhelming, but for anyone keen on starting a The Ordinary routine, we've got you covered.
Keep scrolling for your confusion-free guide to The Ordinary skincare, broken down by skin type and concerns.
But first...
The Ordinary Products, Explained.
In news that’s probably a surprise to no one, The Ordinary has become one of the most popular skincare brands out there.
Why?
Because they’ve successfully nailed the brief when it comes to affordable, single- ingredient serums that are no fuss and get the job done.
The Ordinary Australia has a stack of products to suit pretty much every skin type and concern.
From the best The Ordinary products for acne-prone skin to The Ordinary skincare for dry skin, blackheads and sensitised skin, there's something for everyone.
What The Ordinary Products Should I Use?
Alrighty, so what The Ordinary products should I use, you ask?
Excellent question! And the answer is: The best The Ordinary products suited to your skin type and skin concerns.
If you're wondering, which The Ordinary product is best for me and don't know where to start, think of this The Ordinary skincare guide as your user manual.
To get started, you'll need to have an idea of what your skin type and concerns are.
We cover off the four main skin types in this article, otherwise, you might find this YouTube video helpful too...
Another reason it's important to decide which The Ordinary products to use based on your skin is because what works for someone else, might not be right for you.
For example, your main concerns may be redness or dehydration, whereas your friend may have oily skin and need The Ordinary for acne products.
So you’d both likely reach for different The Ordinary products.
Luckily, this The Ordinary products guide will match your skin up with the best The Ordinary products for you.
1. The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Beginners.
What:
The Ordinary The Daily Set is a complete set of skincare basics suited to all skin types.
Why this The Ordinary skincare routine for beginners is so good:
Building a The Ordinary skincare routine can be overwhelming. This The Ordinary product line is a great place to start.
The Ordinary products you'll find in this set include:
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 50ml - A gel-to-oil cleanser suited for everyone.
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 30ml - A hydrating Ordinary serum containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 (panthenol).
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA - 30ml - Delivers instant and long-term hydration and is also non-comedogenic and oil-free.
2. The Ordinary Products for Dry Skin.
What:
- The Ordinary Supersize Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 60ml - A water based serum that’s formulated with three different weights of hyaluronic acid for multi-depth hydration.
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum - 30ml (formerly known as 'Buffet')- A potent peptide serum that’s designed for age management and helps to rehydrate dehydrated skin.
Is The Ordinary good for dry skin?
Yes! The best Ordinary products for dry skin will contain a few hydrating products to help you get back on track.
Hyaluronic acid in your routine to provide extra moisture is crucial. Same goes for vitamin B5.
The Ordinary Supersize Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 60ml is a The Ordinary for dry skin favourite.
With over 1,400 5-star reviews, it's one of the best products The Ordinary has for dry, sensitive skin.
Oh, and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2 + B5 works for oily skin, too.
If your skin is showing early signs of ageing or dryness, adding The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum - 30ml (formerly known as 'Buffet') into your The Ordinary skincare routine will work in your favour.
It contains a powerful cocktail of peptides to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, and amino acids to help stimulate collagen production.
Shop these products here:
3. The Ordinary Products for Sensitive Skin.
What:
- The Ordinary Supersize Squalane Cleanser 150ml - This gentle, alcohol and mineral oil -free hydrating cleanser will leave your skin feeling comfy, not tight.
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100ml - A moisturiser that has more than 900 5-star reviews, and costs less than $20!
Why these The Ordinary products are good for sensitive skin:
If you’re tired of harsh and stripping cleansers, particularly if you have sensitive skin, then The Ordinary Supersize Squalane Cleanser 150ml is just what you need.
It’s made with a blend of squalane and skin-similar esters for a gentle cleanse that also removes makeup, sunscreen and impurities in the skin.
Our resident dermal therapist Yads rates this The Ordinary skincare product too!
And if you’re wondering if The Ordinary cleanser is vegan, we can report it’s both vegan and cruelty-free.
Now, if you want the best The Ordinary moisturiser for sensitive skin, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100ml has you covered.
Containing natural moisturising factors (NMF), it keeps the outer layer of the skin protected and well-hydrated. Using hyaluronic acid and amino acids, it will hydrate your skin both instantly, and over time.
As far as The Ordinary products for redness go, using gentle formulas like these will minimise inflammation and irritation.
We recommend getting the value-sized tubes in both of these The Ordinary sensitive skin products, because we have a feeling you’ll be going through them quickly!
Shop these products here:
4. The Ordinary Products for Acne.
What:
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution - 30ml - This The Ordinary serum for oily, acne- prone skin is targeted for aiding congestion and blemishes.
- The Ordinary Supersize Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 60ml - A best-selling The Ordinary serum created to help clear congested complexions, and minimise the appearance of blemishes.
Is The Ordinary good for acne?
If you have acne or acne-prone skin, your first port of call should always be to seek advice from a dermal therapist or dermatologist.
Those looking to manage pimples, blemishes, blackheads, textured skin and acne scars will want to look for The Ordinary products containing salicylic acid.
A BHA (beta hydroxy acid), salicylic acid is known for exfoliating deep within the pore to clear oily substances that lead to congestion.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution - 30ml is a great product to help you start tackling blemish-prone skin as well as enhancing skin texture.
Normal to combination or oily skin types, this is a great one for you as well.
If you’re apprehensive about applying this all over your face, start with spot treatments before working your way to a full face application.
A niacinamide serum can also help support your skin barrier, and brighten the look of acne scars.
Thanks to the wonderful benefits niacinamide offers, my skin went from dull, rough and bumpy, to visibly more smooth and even.
With both of these in your bathroom cabinet, you're on your way to clearer, smoother skin in no time.
Shop these products here:
5. The Ordinary Anti-Aging Products.
What:
- The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% - An enhanced version of the original Buffet serum formulated with 1% pure copper peptides and designed for age-support and overall skin health.
- The best The Ordinary products for aging skin will include one of the many The Ordinary retinol serums for acne and ageing skin.
What is the difference between The Ordinary retinol products?
Before we get onto our quick The Ordinary guide to retinol, let's take a moment to remember, ageing is a wonderful thing!
Having age management products in your skincare regimen is always great, as they can help slow accelerated signs of ageing.
The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% is a good serum to add to an anti-ageing routine thanks to its peptide and probiotic complexes.
What's more, the multiple forms of hyaluronic acid and its amino acids will also help with treating fine lines, plumping the skin and supporting collagen production.
The real superstar of any anti-ageing skincare routine is vitamin A.
You can learn all about what vitamin A does for skin here, but essentially, retinol is one of the most common vitamin A derivatives you'll find in skincare.
Use this guide for how to choose The Ordinary retinol serum best for you:
Vitamin A beginners? Choose a The Ordinary retinol serum with 'granactive retinoid' in the name as it will be nice and gentle.
Used retinol before? Give one of these The Ordinary retinol serums a go, they're listed here in order of strength (and risk or irritation).
6. The Ordinary Products for Pigmentation.
What:
- The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% - A serum containing two highly-concentrated antioxidant ingredients resveratrol and ferulic acid.
- The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA - 30ml - A potent serum targeted to reducing the appearance of age spots, scars and redness while also delivering a brighter complexion.
The Ordinary for brightening: Why try these The Ordinary products for pigmentation?
We’re not going to sugarcoat it, hyperpigmentation is very difficult to eradicate.
So we always recommend using targeted skincare products along with and to compliment professional skin treatments that work very hard to address pigmentation.
That said, you'll want to look for antioxidant products as they fight free radical damage.
Free radicals can be the culprits of age spots and pigmentation, so it’s definitely wise to have antioxidant-rich ingredients like ferulic acid, resveratrol and alpha arbutin in your corner.
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% is an oil-like serum that offers daily skin protection from the impacts of oxidative stress and environmental aggressors.
It’s also perfect for those who want an affordable serum option for a brighter and smoother complexion.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA - 30ml is also a double-duty pigmentation product, and you can now get it in Australia!
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA aoffers benefits like reducing the look of age spots and uneven skin.
Brb, just going to order this dynamic duo for myself after seeing some dark spots appearing on my nose (thanks a lot sun!).
Shop these products here:
7. The Ordinary for Oily Skin & Combination Skin.
What:
The Ordinary The Balance Set - Banish blemishes, address sebum production and calm problematic skin with this set.
Is The Ordinary good for oily skin and combo skin?
Absolutely!
If your oily and combo skin is feeling out of sorts, The Ordinary skincare has you covered with this set.
The Ordinary products for oily skin within this set work synergistically to give your oily and combo skin a balanced, smooth and de-congested complexion.
Leading the charge is The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 50ml and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA - 30ml - both of which are awesome for all skin types.
Then oily and clogged skin can lean on The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque - 50ml with its high concentration of BHAs for a deep cleanse of the pores.
This mask also contains black charcoal to balance oily and blemish-prone skin.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 30ml in any The Ordinary routine is a no-brainer as it’s compatible with all skin types (except sensitised skins), but it's especially good for balancing oily skin.
8. The Ordinary Products for Textured Skin.
What:
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner - Smooths skin texture and brightens dull, lacklustre skin tone.
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% or The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% - 30ml - Mild exfoliators featuring Tasmanian pepperberry to help smooth and brighten the complexion.
Why they're so good:
Firstly, it’s important to note that textured skin is totally normal!
But we can’t deny that chemical exfoliants are instrumental in buffing and sweeping away dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin.
For those who want to start gentle, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% or The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% - 30ml are calling your name.
Choose your strength for a mild form of exfoliation that will also reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is the next step up, and will give skin a smoother texture, and improve skin radiance and clarity.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is pH optimised and also contains a Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reduce irritation associated with acid use.
Other star ingredients in the solution like ginseng root and aloe vera support the exfoliation process by soothing the skin.
9. The Ordinary for Brightening.
What:
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%- 30ml - A serum that brings together two powerful brightening ingredients to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Why it’s so good:
Want to bid farewell to dull, drab and lacklustre skin?
Then you’ll need to start using a vitamin C product (or two).
Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for restoring luminosity to your complexion.
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%- 30ml includes not just one, but TWO powerful brightening ingredients to get you on your way to clearer and glowier skin.
While the 8% vitamin C helps to brighten the skin tone and defend against free radicals, its 2% alpha arbutin sidekick helps with redness and dark spots.
Best suited for those who are also concerned with uneven skin tone and its water-free formula ensures the integrity and stability of the product.
While vitamin C is usually used in the AM along with SPF for double antioxidant protection (as well as all the proper sun-safety rules of course), this product can also be used in the PM.
Which The Ordinary Product Is Best for Me?
Creating the building blocks for a skincare routine can be tricky.
It’s best to always start with the basics like bookending your routine with a suited moisturiser and cleanser first.
Then from there, depending on your skin needs you can pick the best targeted treatments and serums to match and compliment your specific skin concerns.
There’s no use spending all your dosh on the whole The Ordinary range just for the sake of it!
Check out the top 10 best-selling The Ordinary products in this YouTube video below.
What Ordinary Products Should Not Be Mixed?
Wondering, what combination of The Ordinary products should I use?
While everyone’s skin is different and has different levels of tolerance, there are some general rules when it comes to skin care that will help you achieve the best results.
1. Avoid layering The Ordinary retinol products and The Ordinary vitamin C/antioxidant serums.
Rather, these ingredients are best used separately; retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning, and always follow with sunscreen.
2. Avoid layering The Ordinary retinol products with The Ordinary exfoliants.
Retinol also doesn’t mix well with products containing lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
This is because both encourage cell turnover - too much can impair your skin barrier.
Pick one of the other, or use them on alternating nights.
3. Don't layer The Ordinary niacinamide with The Ordinary vitamin C/antioxidant serums.
Vitamin C (or L-Ascorbic Acid) and niacinamide are both excellent ingredients when it comes to evening out your skin tone and reducing pore size.
However, when mixed together the two, unfortunately cancel each other out, and may promote excessive redness and irritation.
Use your vitamin C in the AM, and niacinamide in the PM.
The Ordinary Skincare Quiz.
Hopefully this breakdown has made it much easier to not only navigate and determine which The Ordinary products are best for you, but also what they do.
Still not sure?
Jump on to the Adore Beauty live chat and ask one of our lovely experts in the customer experience team who are always happy to help!
Or take our What The Ordinary Products Should I Use quiz right here.
Keen to learn more about the The Ordinary and its popular products? Check out one of these articles below:
