The Ordinary: Straightforward Skincare that Bares It All
While it’s easy to get sucked into gorgeous packaging and big promises, The Ordinary cuts off all the fat to create skincare and makeup products that present their ingredients and effects straight on. No frills; no lies. With their ever-evolving collection of skincare treatments for dry, acne-prone, or oily skin using clinical technologies that show the credibility of each product, this brand has innovated skincare by providing honest, straight-to-the-point products at affordable prices.
About The Ordinary
The Ordinary is the beauty brand that made skincare stop speaking in perfume-counter poetry and start talking like a lab report. Launched in 2016 under DECIEM, the Toronto-based company founded by Brandon Truaxe in 2013, it arrived with a radically simple proposition: tell people exactly what is in the bottle, price it fairly, and let the ingredients do the seducing. Instead of vague promises about youth, glow, and miracle complexes, The Ordinary gave shoppers names like Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. It was clinical, minimalist, almost aggressively plain — and that was precisely the point.
What made The Ordinary disruptive was not just the formulas, but the honesty of the whole operation. By stripping away ornate packaging, fragrance, celebrity campaigns, and the usual luxury markup, the brand made high-performance skincare feel suddenly democratic. A serum that might once have been locked behind a department-store price tag could now be bought for around the cost of lunch. In doing so, The Ordinary helped create the age of the “skintellectual”: the consumer who reads ingredient lists, compares percentages, and knows that hyaluronic acid, retinol, and niacinamide are not exotic secrets but functional tools.
The brand’s rise was not without turbulence. In 2018, at the height of its cult status, Truaxe’s erratic public behavior and the attempted shutdown of DECIEM led to intervention from Estée Lauder, which was then a minority investor. Nicola Kilner, a co-founder of DECIEM, returned to steady the company, and Truaxe’s death in 2019 added a tragic note to one of beauty’s most extraordinary modern stories. Yet The Ordinary endured because its central idea was stronger than the chaos around it: effective skincare did not need to be mysterious, inflated, or dressed up in fantasy.
By the 2020s, The Ordinary had moved from internet obsession to global beauty institution, expanding through retailers such as Sephora and Ulta before Estée Lauder completed its full acquisition of DECIEM in 2024. Today, the brand has grown beyond facial serums into body care, hair care, and color cosmetics, but its power still lies in the same austere confidence that made it famous. The Ordinary changed beauty by making clarity desirable. It turned the ingredient list into the headline, the bathroom shelf into a small laboratory, and the modern skincare customer into someone far harder to fool.
The Ordinary By Category
| Section | Product | Skin Concern | Primary Benefit | Key Features | Price | Details / Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Blemishes & Congestion Hero | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Oily skin, combination skin, large pores, and congestion | Regulates oil and helps calm the skin | High-strength niacinamide formula, zinc support, sebum-control benefits, and lightweight texture | ₱450 – ₱650 | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is The Ordinary’s all-time bestseller in the Philippines. It is especially popular among shoppers with oily or combination skin because it helps balance sebum production and minimizes the appearance of pores. |
| The Exfoliation Gold Standard | Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | Dullness, uneven texture, rough skin, and lack of radiance | Smooths and brightens the skin | 7% glycolic acid, exfoliating toner format, radiance-boosting benefits, and texture-smoothing effect | ₱850 – ₱1,100 | Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is highly popular because of its versatility. While it is designed for facial exfoliation, it has also gone viral locally for off-label uses such as smoothing rough skin on elbows and knees, as well as being used as a natural deodorant alternative. |
| The Hydration Essential | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | Dehydration, tightness, and skin exposed to air-conditioned environments | Plumps and hydrates the skin | 2% hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, lightweight hydration, and non-greasy finish | ₱550 – ₱750 | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a staple for all skin types, especially for people who work in air-conditioned offices. It helps draw moisture into the skin without feeling too heavy or greasy in the Philippine humidity. |
| The Scar & Texture Specialist | AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | Texture, clogged pores, acne marks, and post-breakout discoloration | Provides deep weekly resurfacing | AHA and BHA exfoliating acids, deep red formula, weekly treatment format, and pore-clearing benefits | ₱650 – ₱850 | AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is often called the blood mask because of its deep red color. It is a potent weekly treatment that helps exfoliate the skin, clear pores, and fade the look of marks left behind by past breakouts. |
| The Lash & Brow Enhancer | Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum | Thin-looking lashes, sparse brows, and lash or brow care | Nourishes lashes and brows | Multi-peptide serum, lash and brow applicator, lightweight formula, and strengthening-focused care | ₱950 – ₱1,200 | Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum is a more recent favorite for shoppers who want to nourish and improve the look of lashes and brows without paying the higher price of traditional growth serums. |
| Additional Popular Product | Natural Moisturizing Factors | Dryness, barrier weakness, and lightweight daily moisturization | Supports lightweight barrier repair | Moisturizing formula, skin barrier support, lightweight texture, and daily-use suitability | — | Natural Moisturizing Factors is included in the popular products summary as a go-to option for dryness and barrier support. It is best for shoppers who want a simple, lightweight moisturizer that works well with active ingredients. |
What’s Popular At The Ordinary?
| Section | Product | Primary Use | Texture | Best Time to Apply | Best For | Why It’s Popular | Details / Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top-Selling The Ordinary Staples | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Oil control | Watery serum | Morning & night | Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin | It helps regulate sebum production, balance oiliness, and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. | This is one of The Ordinary’s most famous products in the Philippines and is especially useful for managing T-zone oiliness in a tropical climate. |
| The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | Brightening and exfoliation | Liquid toner | Night, 2–3 times weekly | Dullness, uneven skin tone, and rough texture | It uses Alpha Hydroxy Acid to dissolve dead skin cells, helping skin look smoother and brighter. | This cult favorite is popular for skin cycling and is also widely used locally for concerns such as dark underarms and rough body texture. | |
| The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | Clear pores and target breakouts | Watery serum | Night, targeted use | Clogged pores, blackheads, and active blemishes | It is oil-soluble, allowing it to go deeper into pores to help clear debris, sweat buildup, and congestion. | Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a go-to option for spot-treating active breakouts and blackheads, especially for skin exposed to humidity, sweat, and pollution. | |
| The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | Fading marks and calming redness | Lightweight cream | Morning or night | Redness, rosacea-prone skin, and post-acne marks | It targets redness and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while being suitable for many sensitive skin types. | Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is often considered a brightening sleeper hit because it helps fade stubborn dark spots left after breakouts. | |
| The Ordinary Retinol in Squalane | Well-aging and texture support | Thin oil | Night only | Fine lines, anti-aging, and long-term skin health | It supports cell turnover, helps improve texture, and comes in different strengths such as 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1%. | The Squalane base helps buffer the formula with hydration, making it a more comfortable option for users building tolerance to retinol. | |
| Layering Tip | Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic Acid | Routine safety | Varies by product | Alternate nights | Users combining multiple active ingredients | Using too many strong actives in the same routine can increase the risk of irritation or over-exfoliation. | Retinol and direct acids such as Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid should generally not be used in the same nighttime routine. For example, use Salicylic Acid as a spot treatment on one night and Retinol on another night. |
Tell me about The Ordinary skincare routine for beginners.
A basic skincare routine with The Ordinary for beginners may include a gentle cleanser, followed by products like "Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5" for hydration, "Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%" for blemish control, and a moisturizer. It's recommended to introduce products gradually and patch-test before regular use.
How to choose the right products from The Ordinary for my skin type?
The Ordinary provides a regimen guide on their official website to help users choose products based on their specific skin concerns and goals. Factors like skin type, concerns (e.g., acne, aging), and desired results should be considered when selecting products.
Can I layer multiple products from The Ordinary in my skincare routine?
Yes, many products from The Ordinary are designed to be layered. The brand provides guidance on the order of application for optimal results. Generally, it's recommended to apply products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency.
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ARE ITEMS SOLD ON ZALORA ORIGINAL?
Yes, items sold on ZALORA are 100% authentic and original products from brands. ZALORA is an authorized retailer for all the brands available on their platform. They work directly with both luxury designer labels and popular high-street brands to bring genuine products to consumers in the Philippines. They follow stringent procurement processes directly from brand suppliers and vendors to verify the authenticity of items they list for sale on their e-commerce site. Buyers can shop with full confidence knowing the sneakers, clothes, bags, and accessories displayed on ZALORA abide by respective brands' quality standards and are covered by manufacturing defect warranties. Shopping policies also guarantee buyers can return items suspected to be inauthentic for a full refund. Ultimately, ZALORA strives to provide a trusted, transparent online shopping experience where customers access true original products from fashion’s biggest names.
The Ordinary at ZALORA Philippines - FAQs
- Is The Ordinary a Korean brand?
- No, The Ordinary is not a Korean brand. It is a Canadian skincare brand under DECIEM, which is now owned by Estée Lauder Companies.
- What is The Ordinary good for?
- The Ordinary is good for affordable, ingredient-focused skincare, especially for concerns like acne, uneven texture, dullness, dehydration, pigmentation, and early signs of aging.
- Is The Ordinary good for rosacea?
- Some The Ordinary products may help calm redness, but rosacea-prone skin should be careful with strong acids and retinoids. Products like Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% may be useful, but it is best to patch test and consult a dermatologist if your rosacea is active or severe.
- How to use glycolic acid The Ordinary for underarms?
- Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution on clean, dry underarms at night, starting only two to three times a week. Do not apply it after shaving, waxing, or if the skin feels irritated, and stop using it if you notice burning, peeling, or darkening.
- Can I use The Ordinary daily?
- Yes, some The Ordinary products can be used daily, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and many moisturizers. Strong products like glycolic acid, peeling solutions, retinoids, and exfoliating acids should not be used every day unless your skin can tolerate them.
- Why is The Ordinary so popular?
- The Ordinary is popular because it made clinical skincare ingredients affordable, transparent, and easy to understand. Instead of vague luxury claims, the brand focuses on clear ingredient names, visible percentages, and simple packaging.
The Hottest Picks Now On The Ordinary
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Discover : The Ordinary Serums | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid | The Ordinary Serum |