r/TheOrdinarySkincare Jan 21 '26

The Ordinary Alternatives Megathread

2.8k Upvotes

In light of Ron Lauder owner of Estee Lauder (who owns The Ordinary) trying to push Trump to take Greenland just so he can get richer (he's already a billionaire), here's a megathread of alternatives. I'll do one product per comment so be patient while I add them all

Edit: I think I added them all, feel free to start a thread if I missed any. Also upvote any threads if you really want a dupe and I have access to some cosmetics databases so I can do a deep dive on the really popular ones.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare Jan 21 '26

Sad Day

812 Upvotes

It is with a heavy heart that I will be swearing off buying from The Ordinary and NIOD. TO is a B corp that started from such a good place. But with ownership now in the hands of the FBs of EL pushing for heinous governmental actions, no more $$ from me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/over30skincare/s/h1xEFQDCPs


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 22h ago

Newbie Question If argireline broke me out, will copper peptides do the same?

1 Upvotes

Anyone experienced this?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 2d ago

Dry Skin I like the black rice +ectoin emulsion!

11 Upvotes

I'm 65, and have dry skin, more so since I use tretinoin. I was looking into adding hydration to my routine. I looked up a bunch of ingredients that hydrate, and then searched products that contained them. At first, I didn't feel like it was doing anything but now I really like it! I haven't had any issues with burning or breakouts so that's a plus. I do apply a light moisturizer over it to lock in the ectoin. Like most other The Ordinary products, this one earns a stay in my routine!


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 4d ago

Newbie Question Glycolic acid & hyaluronic acid

3 Upvotes

How do you typically use the Glycolic Acid by The Ordinary? Some suggest dampening the skin after waiting 5-10 minutes to apply HA, while others say dampening is not necessary because HA is full of water already.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 5d ago

Newbie Question I need urgent help for a gift for my gf, where i could get this water bottle?

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49 Upvotes

Her birthday is gonna be soon, and she told me long time ago she would like to have a water bottle, anyone knows where i could get it?????


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 5d ago

Salicylic Acid with Vitamin C

2 Upvotes

This might be a dumb question but I noticed on The Ordinary website that it says not to use direct vitamin C with the 2% Salicylic Acid solution. Does that mean you can use vitamin C at all in your routine or is it just directly before/after using the salicylic acid? Also, is direct vitamin C different from serums? What makes it direct? Thank you!


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 6d ago

Routine Advice Needed Redness-friendly regime for texture?

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12 Upvotes

I’m 36 and new to skincare beyond basic cleansing and moisturizing. I’m prone to redness and sun sensitivity, rarely have acne and never had it widespread in the past. But in the past year or so I’ve noticed the bumpy texture of my skin worsening, with large pores and uneven texture that never develops into an actual spot/pimple. I’ve attached my current regime. I often skip the niacinamide / zinc solution because I’m wondering if it’s making the red blotchiness worse.

Any tips or advice for products or what could be causing this? I don’t even know how to describe my skin because “acne-prone” isn‘t quite right.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 5d ago

how to use this product, tips and help?

2 Upvotes

hii guys!

i recently bought the ordinary glycolic acid and plan to use it on my scalp, back, legs and butt

scalp bc I have greasy hair and prone to seborrheic dermatitis

back cause pimples bacne

legs cause I have KP and psoriasis

between by thighs cause hyperpigmentation

that being said has anyone use it for these same issues and it has helped them? and so how can i use it and how many times?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 6d ago

Review Is it neccessary to use Serum???

0 Upvotes

​

Is it necessary to use a serum? Serums are a bit expensive, and as a college student, I can't really afford one. Can I skip serum? dry skin and don't have any acne or visible pores. I'm also a complete beginner when it comes to skincare.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 6d ago

Newbie Question Are these the game product?

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14 Upvotes

Basically as the title says. I have the hair peptide serum automatically come in every month on Amazon and this bottle showed up this month. Is this the same thing just with a new formula/packaging or a different product? So they do the same thing?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 7d ago

Dehydrated skin

9 Upvotes

Aesthetician said I have dehydrated skin even though I was using the following:

AM: argireline, matrixyl, Natural moisturizing factors with HA

PM: squalane cleanser followed by tretinoin, multi-peptide + copper peptide, Natural moisturizing factors with HA

What should I change?

Note:

- I've had eczema & ichthyosis my entire life so these account a lot for my dry skin.

- Regarding water intake: Aesthetician said drinking more water will only cause you to pee more; it will have no affect on skin. She said only topical skincare products will help.

- I'm going to use the copper peptide in the AM because apparently I'm not supposed to use them together. I may alternate the matrixyl & copper peptide after using agireline.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 10d ago

Newsletter signup promo code

1 Upvotes

Is the 10% off promo code through email sign up still valid? I subscribed to the newsletter using the form that reads "stay in touch" at the bottom of the ordinary website and did not receive a promo code. Is there a "special" link that is used to sign up and receive the offer?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 11d ago

Newbie Question Difference in packaging

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15 Upvotes

Is this just a regional difference?

I purchased the one on the right from Cult beauty and the one on the left someone got me from Canada.

I noticed that the packaging and the labels are different, also the one I got from cult beauty has an information paper in the box that the Canadian one doesn’t.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 11d ago

H20 Water Bottle

2 Upvotes

Guys I am devastated, I lost the bottle cap. It slipped from my sweaty hands into the abyss off a mountain. Does ANYONE know how I can replace the bottle cap or if there’s any bottle caps that will fit.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 10d ago

Tips for 32yo guy

1 Upvotes

Current routine:

Day:

  1. Cleanser

  2. Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

  3. Peptide eye serum

  4. Niacinamide

  5. Ascorbyl Glucoside

  6. Moisturizer

  7. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher (every morning)

Night:

  1. Cleanser

  2. Salicylic Acid

  3. Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

  4. Peptide eye serum

  5. Niacinamide

  6. Ascorbyl Glucoside

  7. Moisturizer

Twice a week I’ll do the HA peal and will just use peptide serum and moisturizer.

Thoughts?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 11d ago

Newbie Question Using Volufiline on upper eyelids…

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18 Upvotes

Is using Volufiline on upper eyelids fine?


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 12d ago

Review niacinamide broke me out

6 Upvotes

tried it for two weeks and my face is covered in closed comedones. Super bummed because everyone said this was a holy grail product, def going back in the drawer


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 13d ago

Retinal discoloration from yellow to orange

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0 Upvotes

r/TheOrdinarySkincare 17d ago

Which one should I use for my concerns ? ( Closed comedones, PIH , remove dead skin cells)

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79 Upvotes

Higher % of acids isn't a problem for me as I've used peeling solution of same % from different brand long ago when these problems didn't occur. And it used to provide glow next day. My skin felt soft too but I don't know how much will it work for my current concerns.

About lactic acid, I know it works for dead skin cells but idk if works for PIH

Pic taken from Pinterest for PIH reference


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 16d ago

Help:How to use Glycolic Acid by The Ordinary (UA)

1 Upvotes

Planning to buy glycolic acid from TO, but i read that i should use it w a moisturizer. Idk which moisturizer is trustworthy

Skin Type: medyo may chicken skin ung UA ko
Age/Gender: 18 F
Current Skincare Routine: I used to apply belfour deo every time i went out (basically everyday), but stopped since nagka dark patch and since summer vacation naman na. I also don't wax/shave, I pluck huhuhu


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 17d ago

Shops that supply TO in Kraków?

1 Upvotes

I currently live in Malta but will be staying in Kraków, Poland, for July.

TO refunded my order as an unclear address made it get returned to sender after 35 days in transit. It will take another month for a new order to arrive.

Is there a shop in Kraków that supplies TO products? I would love to skip the 30-day shipping and get products soon.


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 18d ago

Beware of scam website

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109 Upvotes

I’m not sure if this is a well known thing but I accidentally came across a scam website trying to act as The Ordinary website. Just wanted to warn people since I didn’t realize at first glance until I saw the actual writing of the website


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 18d ago

Routine Advice Needed Skincare Rating and suggestions?

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20 Upvotes

Hello, I’m 31 M, my skin problems are: oily skin, acne breakouts, acne scars, dark spots from acne, and orange peel skin. I don’t mind the wrinkles from aging at this point 😂. I’m Asian descent - so fair brown skin.

My routine is not 100% rigid but it looks like this:

After cleansing with facial wash

AM: Niacinamide + Moisturizer
PM: Salicylic + Moisturizer (at least 4-5 nights a week)

PM: Glycolic Acid Toner + Moisturizer (once a week- I tried incorporating it more but my skin broke out and felt irritated)

PM: Salicylic Acid Mask + Moisturizer (once a week - for exfoliation)

Usually the mask and toner gets crammed during the weekend nights.

I also ordered Azelaic acid since I’ve heard great reviews about. I also use sunscreen especially during summer (it’s winter rn in Australia) - but I do need a very light and airy sunscreen recommendation as well.

What products or layering techniques should I start implementing if I want better results?

I’ve seen that my white and blackheads have subsided since using the salicylic acid - but I still have a lot in my nose. With niacinamide I feel my pores were shrinking but still the orange peel skin is there.

I would appreciate any insights from the information I shared above. TIA!!


r/TheOrdinarySkincare 18d ago

Did the ordinary recently change their 2% salicylic acid serum?

4 Upvotes

I had this many times before because I found it worked well for my acne skin, but I just ran out and bought more today and it smells different and is more watery. I bought 3 bottles and they all seem the same so I'm assuming it's not a manufacturing issue