Everyone Wants to Know If The Ordinary Is Any Good—These Are the 15 Products I Always Recommend

When it comes to affordable skincare, The Ordinary always delivers, and these are the efficacious formulas I continuously recommend.

the ordinary skincare flat lay, plus Emma Hoareau applying skincare
(Image credit: The Ordinary; @micaricketts; @emmahoareau)

I’ve tested many skincare brands over the years, but few have stuck with me quite like The Ordinary. It was one of the first affordable skincare brands to offer up high-performance formulations with a real focus on ingredients, and nine years after it first launched, it has proved that its cult serums and high-performance solutions can hold their own in a crowded market.

Understandably, though, if you aren’t already clued up about the types of ingredients that suit your skin type, then The Ordinary can feel like a bit of an overwhelming brand to get into. The lineup is vast, with a serum or solution for almost every skin concern imaginable. But the best products from The Ordinary have a few things in common: they’re straight to the point, powered by science-backed ingredients and actually deliver results. No fancy packaging or overblown claims—just effective, clearly-labelled skincare, from cleansers to moisturisers, at price points that still blow my mind.

Selection of The Ordinary skincare

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

And after years of personally testing dozens and dozens of formulas from the brand, I can now confidently deliver my edit of the very best products from The Ordinary. For reference, I’m 36 and my skin is oily and prone to regular hormonal acne, plus I’m starting to see early signs of skin ageing, like some changes in texture and loss of elasticity.

Whether you’re totally new to The Ordinary or just looking for some budget-friendly skincare solutions to add to your skincare routine, these standout products deliver on easy-to-use formulations and visible results.

The Best The Ordinary Products

1. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

2. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

3. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

4. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

5. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

6. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

7. The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm

8. The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner

The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

9. The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane

10. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

11. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution

12. The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum

The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

13. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

14. The Ordinary GF 15% Solution

The Ordinary GF 15% Solution

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

15. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Why Trust Us?

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.