The Ordinary Cheat Sheet: What to Actually Buy

Walk into a Sephora, look at The Ordinary's wall, and try not to feel like you're taking a chemistry quiz. "Mandelic Acid 10% + HA." "Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA." "Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion." What does any of that do?

This is The Ordinary's whole shtick: name products by the active and its concentration. For chemists, genius. For normal humans, intimidating. This guide demystifies it.

Why The Ordinary exists

Founded 2016, Toronto, by Brandon Truaxe (who later passed away). Owned by Estée Lauder via DECIEM. The whole thesis was: skincare actives cost pennies; brands mark them up 20x with fancy packaging. The Ordinary ships in brown-glass chemistry-lab bottles with minimal branding. Result: $7 niacinamide, $8 hyaluronic acid, $10 retinol. Full stop.

They work. The formulas aren't the best on earth, but at 10% of the price of premium brands, they're an excellent value.

The 6-product hero routine

These are the six you need. Cover 90% of general skincare needs. Total: ~$45.

1. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — $7

The most-purchased skincare product in the world, reportedly. Does: sebum regulation, pore minimising, brightening. For: oily-to-combination skin, visible pores, dullness. Use AM or PM after cleansing.

Caveat: people with very reactive skin sometimes react to 10% niacinamide. If you flush, try 5%.

2. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 — $9

Plumping, hydrating, panthenol-enhanced. Use on damp skin AM + PM before moisturiser.

Pro tip: most people use this dry. Don't. Spray face first with toner/water, then apply. HA needs water to hydrate with.

3. Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution — $11

The cult chemical exfoliant. Use 2-3 nights a week. Wipes off dull dead skin.

Caveat: NOT for sensitive skin. If you're reactive, skip this and use Mandelic Acid 10% instead.

4. Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — $7

BHA. Goes into pores, exfoliates, fights blackheads. Spot-treat nightly or full-face 2-3 nights a week.

Caveat: Pregnant? Skip BHA.

5. Retinol 0.5% in Squalane — $8

Entry-tier retinol. Start here. Use 2-3 nights a week, build to nightly.

Caveat: always use SPF during the day when on retinol. Skin is sun-sensitive.

6. Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA — $8

Simple, effective moisturiser. Non-greasy. Works as AM or PM seal-step.

What to skip (for most people)

There are some Ordinary products that either don't deliver or have better alternatives elsewhere:

• Buffet: peptide cocktail, meh. For the price, COSRX's peptide ampoule does more.
• "Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG": eye cream, gritty texture. The Ordinary's own serum formulation is better applied as general serum.
• "Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%": gritty, unstable. For vitamin C, The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F is better (though it's not on our catalog — buy from The Ordinary directly).
• "Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion" or "5% in Squalane": too strong for beginners. Start with 0.5%.
• "Argireline Solution 10%": "needle-free Botox" is a marketing scam. Ignore.

The schedule

A sample week on The Ordinary routine:

AM

• Cleanser (any)
• HA 2% + B5 (on damp skin)
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc
• Moisturiser (NMF)
• SPF (not from The Ordinary — buy elsewhere)

PM (exfoliate): Monday, Wednesday

• Cleanser
• Glycolic Acid 7% OR Salicylic Acid 2%
• Wait 10 mins
• Moisturiser

PM (retinol): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

• Cleanser
• Wait 20 mins (skin dry)
• Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
• Moisturiser

PM (rest): Sunday + Friday

• Cleanser
• HA + B5
• Niacinamide
• Moisturiser

Who The Ordinary is NOT for

• Very sensitive / rosacea-prone. The 7% glycolic and 10% niacinamide are too strong. Use gentler alternatives (La Roche-Posay, Avène).
• People expecting instant results. The Ordinary works. Slowly. 8 weeks minimum for retinol.
• People who want fragrance / luxury experience. The Ordinary is clinical, no frills. If the experience matters, spend elsewhere.

The final verdict

The Ordinary is the best active-skincare value on earth for 2026. Not the fanciest, not the strongest, not the prettiest. Just: efficacy-per-dollar unmatched.

If you're a beginner, start with: Niacinamide + HA + Retinol 0.5% + NMF. $32 total. Give it 8 weeks. Then layer in glycolic or salicylic as needed.

Ignore 85% of their catalog. The six above are the whole story.