Nearly a decade ago, when my skin care obsession began, one brand was all the rage for its no-fuss single-ingredient preparations, science-backed performance and sensible prices — all major pluses for a beauty lover on a budget like myself. Fast forward to 2025 and The Ordinary is still a revered name in the business and a brand that I still use religiously to this day, even though I’m fortunately to be in a position to splurge on beauty products once in a while.
Part of the brand’s appeal is that it’s very transparent about the ingredient percentages in each product. Also, rather than packing each formulation with every active ingredient under the sun, The Ordinary keeps things pretty simple with just one or two ingredients, keeping costs low and making it easier to customize a routine that’s ideal for you. I also found that this forced me to become more educated about skin care ingredients and how they interact with other products and ingredients.
Since the brand was launched in 2016 by parent company Deciem (both now owned by legacy brand Estee Lauder), the brand has developed even more innovative products and continues to be a popular source for effective skin care. The Ordinary even launched an official Amazon storefront in January, making its offerings even more accessible. You can see below for yourself some of The Ordinary’s best-selling products, some of my personal favorites and other exciting additions.
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I use The Ordinary’s multi-peptide copper serum at least four or five times a week in my nightly skin care routine for its ability to keep my skin feeling plump and hydrated. Dermatologists previously told HuffPost that copper peptides in particular “boost collagen production and elastin, which in turn can improve skin texture, firmness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” They can even provide antioxidant protection and support the structure of the skin as it ages. The Ordinary’s serum is a glycerin-based formula featuring hyaluronic acid so it’s very hydrating and features five different peptides.
This basic moisturizer was one of the products that first sold me on the brand. I love the way it soaks deeply into my parched skin and contains a total of 11 tried-and-true hydrating ingredients like lipid-loving fatty acids, glycerin, barrier-restoring ceramides and hyaluronic acid. If you want a facial cream that’s not too light, not too rich and will play nice with all of your active ingredients, look no further than this classic and well-loved formula.
A few weeks ago The Ordinary’s 10% argireline solution came across my TikTok feed with reviewers claiming that it’s “Botox in a bottle.” After speaking with a board-certified dermatologist, I learned that this lightweight and water-based solution features a 10% concentration of Argireline, otherwise known as acetyl hexapeptide-8. It’s a fancy name for a skincare ingredient that may reduce the appearance of expression lines by working as a neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptide similar to how the neurotoxins in Botox work. This could help soften dynamic expression lines and deep-set wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming.
Promising Sephora review: “MIRACLE product is not an understatement! I cannot believe EVERYONE is not raving about this product. I’ve been on a (seemingly futile) journey trying every serum under the sun in a desperate attempt to delay Botox. After just two weeks of usage, my forehead lines have faded SIGNIFICANTLY. An effective topical product for people with overactive forehead muscles? At this price point?? Life-changing.” — Noctiflorous
The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum is one of the internet’s most well-known formulations and a product that I have used and loved for several years. A primer on niacinamide: It’s a ubiquitous, do-it-all ingredient that can accomplish everything from managing redness to improving irregular skin texture. This formula is affordable and utilizes a high-strength niacinamide concentration to effectively brighten a dull skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Plus, 1% zinc helps to support a balanced complexion by regulating excess sebum activity.
I absolutely adore this organic cold-pressed rosehip oil, which I use nightly by adding a few drops into my moisturizer or as a layer of lubrication whenever I dermaplane my face. It soaks deep into the skin, feels incredibly nourishing and I wake up with skin that looks and feels glowing and hydrated. According to the brand, rosehip oil can help address signs of skin aging and promote a brighter and more supple complexion.
For many, retinoids are an essential skin care ingredient for promoting the skin’s cellular turnover rate, a process that’s important for collagen production and declines as we age. It’s also pretty notorious for causing skin sensitivity and dryness. This exclusive formula from The Ordinary uses granactive retinoid, a newer retinol that’s formulated to be less irritating than prescription formulas, but still comes with the promise of reducing fine lines, boosting elasticity and improving skin tone. It’s balanced with glycerin for added hydration, has a creamy serum-like texture and comes in a higher 5% concentration for experienced retinol users.
When used properly, this potent exfoliation treatment is kind of like an at-home chemical peel that uses a blend of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to clear pores and remove the outer layer of skin in just 10 minutes. The result is a smoother and more radiant complexion with less visible acne scars and blemishes. Never use more than twice a week and apply only to clean, dry skin.
Promising Amazon review: “I have been using this product for 5 years now and it has been a game changer when I use it consistently. I get very OCD about how my skin feels and sleeping in makeup or sweating a lot makes me want to scrub my face until it’s raw. I’ve found that washing my face and using this has helped my skin recover from issues like this and has dramatically improved my dullness. I use it about once a week, sometimes twice, and leave it on for about 10 minutes. You can notice the difference immediately. Throw away your scrub face washes and opt for this.” — Ciara
This age-support serum uses a solution of growth factors and plumping peptides to help support the skin’s natural elasticity and “signal its natural repair mechanisms,” according to the brand. By promoting this process, this daily serum may help regenerate the look of dull, thin and crepey skin.
Promising Sephora review: “I don’t normally write reviews on skincare products until I’ve used them for at least 30-45 days, but this serum has produced phenomenal results in just 2 weeks!! If you want firmer, tighter and smoother skin you need to buy this!! I am genuinely blown away by this serum! This is best serum The Ordinary has produced yet!” — caringaboutme
I use this 10% lactic acid serum once a week to help manage my keratosis pilaris along my cheeks and the congestion in my T-zone. I opted for this type of acid over other options because it’s gentler on my sensitive skin compared to other acids I’ve tried and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry or tight. This thin fast-absorbing formula also contains Tasmanian pepperberry, which may help reduce sensitivity associated with exfoliation.
I definitely had to build up to this concentration, so if you’re new to acids or have sensitive skin, The Ordinary also has a 5% formula that’s a little gentler.
This crowd-favorite toner by The Ordinary contains 7% glycolic acid to even irregular skin texture, brighten tone and gently exfoliate. I’m a seasoned fan of this product and can attest to how much smoother and less decongested my skin feels after using this. Also, pro-tip: I sometimes swipe this on my underarms to brighten any dark spots or even on my arms to help manage my keratosis pilaris.
In my opinion, milky toners are the most comforting way to prep the skin post-cleansing so it can soak up all your skin care products and make skin its juiciest best. This milky toner is a newer product from The Ordinary, so I’ve yet to try it out for myself, but it features a 30% concentration of saccharomyces ferment, which is a non-acidic ingredient that can gently exfoliate and reduce the appearance of pores. This daily solution also includes squalane, a nourishing hydrator.
Promising Sephora review: “I’m absolutely obsessed with The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner! From the first use, I noticed how incredibly soothing and hydrating it is. The milky texture feels so luxurious, instantly calming my skin while giving it a healthy, plump glow. Packed with fermented ingredients, it strengthens my skin barrier and leaves my complexion feeling soft, smooth, and radiant. It absorbs beautifully without any stickiness, making it the perfect first step in my routine. This toner is a game-changer, and I can’t imagine my skincare without it!” — shayoooomh
A classic staple in The Ordinary lineup, this hydrating serum features a 2% concentration of five different hyaluronic acids to draw in moisture to multiple layers of the skin, so it feels plump and hydrated. It also contains B5, another humectant, and ceramides, which are essential for a healthy skin barrier. In my experience, it absorbs and performs best when applied to damp skin.
We previously learned from dermatologists that topically applied caffeine is potent in antioxidants and can reduce puffiness and boost microcirculation by restricting blood vessels. This targeted solution for the undereyes contains a 5% concentration of caffeine and EGCG, which stands for epigallocatechin gallate, a polyphenol found in green tea that may help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Promising Amazon review: “I’m really blown away with the results. I have dark purple under eye circles, and this made a noticeable improvement upon first use. I feel like I’m noticing greater improvement with each application, as well. I’ve tried countless expensive products, and I will continue to use others that target signs of aging, but for dark circles, this is the best I’ve found. Can’t beat the price, either!” — B. Grover
This bubblegum pink serum is next on my list of products to try, especially to help relieve my parched winter skin. It’s specially formulated to restore compromised, dry and irritated skin, reduce redness and soothe any discomfort. The formula features classic ingredients that can restore a weak skin barrier like ceramides and niacinamide, and comforting ingredients like vitamin B12 and bisabolol, an anti-inflammatory plant extract.
Promising Amazon review: “The first night I used this, my skin felt instantly hydrated, by morning, a stubborn blemish had already started to heal. The lightweight texture absorbs beautifully without sticking, leaving my skin soft and balanced. This is going to be a lifesaver for hydration and healing. Highly recommend!” — Jacqueline
If your current cleanser leaves your skin uncomfortably tight and squeaky after washing, then this facial wash could be a much more hydrating alternative. It’s a non-foaming and squalane-based formula that starts off as a balm and emulsifiers into an oil to melt away dirt, debris and makeup from the skin without any harsh rubbing.
If this doesn’t sound like your cleanser of choice, The Ordinary also has a foaming gel-like wash suitable for oily skin types and a cream cleanser perfect for all skin types.
Promising Amazon review: “I had been looking to get off Proactiv for a while and my good friend who is a make up artist recommended The Ordinary products. This product (and every product of theirs I’ve tried, really) has been AMAZING. I have not had ONE breakout since using this and my skin looks incredible. I have tried getting off Proactiv before using other products and ended up having to go back because nothing worked. But this actually does. I will never use another cleanser! Also, the instructions say to rub product in hands and apply to dry face-I thought this sounded strange but it really is the best way to use this product! LOVE The Ordinary and how affordable all of their high quality products are.” — Allison Cloud