Are you a fan of The Ordinary but curious if it’s as “clean” as it seems? With its minimalist style and wallet-friendly formulas, The Ordinary has become a skincare staple for many—but not all of the ingredients align with green beauty standards. In this post, we’ll dive into what makes some of the formulas a bit more controversial and share some affordable, cleaner alternatives that offer similar benefits (without the compromise)!
This post contains affiliate links.
Is The Ordinary a Clean Brand? Let’s Break It Down!
Many users of The Ordinary praise it for its minimalist packaging, “clinical” formulas, and budget-friendly options, but is it actually a low tox brand? While the ingredients aren’t necessarily terrible, The Ordinary may not be as non-toxic as some assume. Here’s why!
What’s in The Ordinary?
The Ordinary is known for its straightforward, ingredient-focused formulas. They boast about “honesty and integrity” in their company. However, several of their products contain ingredients that don’t meet my low tox standards. Typical greenwashing 🙄
- Chlorphenesin: Allowed in limited quantities in the EU (below 0.3%), this preservative can also be an irritant and endocrine disruptor.
- Ethoxylated Ingredients: These ingredients ending in “-eth” (such as ceteth-20 or isoceteth-20) undergo an ethoxylation process, which can introduce harmful contaminants like 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen.
- Phenoxyethanol: A common preservative that prevents bacterial growth, but it can cause skin irritation and contain carcinogenic by-products like ethylene oxide and benzene.
- Polysorbates: Can be contaminated with carcinogens and are potential irritants, especially for sensitive skin.
- Triethanolamine (TEA): Compound with ammonia-like odor which can increase asthma risk. When broken down, it forms nitrosamines which are linked to cancer.
The combination of these ingredients might not work for those aiming to avoid hormone disruptors, irritants, and other synthetic ingredients in their skincare routines!
Wanna learn more about harmful ingredients in your personal care products and the WHY behind it all? Download the Ingredients to Avoid Index! It has over 55+ common ingredients to watch out for and a printable pocket guide.
But What About Their “One Ingredient” Oils?
Not all The Ordinary products are off the table. Their single-ingredient oils, such as Chia Seed Oil or Rosehip Oil, are decent options. With only one ingredient, you’re avoiding the preservatives, fillers, and additives found in other formulas.
Related post: “Swap It Out: Natural Alternatives to Cetaphil & CeraVe Skincare Products”
Value vs. Results: The Hidden Cost of Budget Skincare
While The Ordinary is known for its affordability, many of their products are single-focus treatments. In my opinion, you might need to buy multiple products to see a complete effect—meaning the total cost may not be as low as it first seems. In some cases, you may be better off investing in a more comprehensive serum from a clean beauty brand, instead of 3-4 Ordinary products. Even my holistic esthetician agrees!
Related post: “23+ Affordable Clean Beauty & Organic Skincare Brands to Start Your Low Tox Journey”
Low Tox Dupes for The Ordinary
Now, here are some better alternatives to use instead!
Note: I tried to find swaps that are as budget-friendly and comparable in price as possible. Keep in mind, though, that pure, safer ingredients do tend to cost a bit more.
Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser ➡️ Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin
If you have dry skin, using a creamy cleanser can be extremely beneficial because they cleanse without drying or stripping skin of too much moisture. Mad Hippie’s cream cleanser is non-GMO, cruelty-free, and vegan. The pH level is ideal for keeping skin’s protective oils intact. Bonus: it comes in a glass bottle instead of plastic!
Also available here at Ulta.
Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum ➡️ Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, polysorbate 20
Hyaluronic acid is extremely hydrating and plumping. It attracts up to 1,000x its weight in water! Good Molecules’ serum is only $6, unscented, has two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, and layers nicely underneath the rest of your skincare routine. The ultimate hydration boost!
Also available here at Target and Ulta.
Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% ➡️ Peach Slices Redness Rescue Azelaic Acid Serum
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, polysorbate 20, isoceteth-20, silicones, TEA
Azelaic acid is a gentle exfoliator that can be super beneficial for acne or rosacea! It can control bacteria and prevent blackheads too. I love this Peach Slices serum! It’s mostly unscented and has really helped with texture and bumps on my cheeks.
Also available here at Ulta.
Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner ➡️ Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: TEA, polysorbate 20, aminomethyl propanol
Glycolic acid whisks away dead skin cells and reveals brighter, smoother skin. Good Molecules’ toner has 3.5% glycolic acid in addition to hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe. It’s ideal for texture, dullness, uneven skin tone, and dehydration.
Also available here at Ulta.
Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash & Brow Serum ➡️ Sky Organics Lash & Brow Oil
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, polysorbate 20
Sky Organics’ oil has amazing ingredients, including organic castor seed oil (naturally supports thicker, fuller lashes and brows), amla seed oil, moringa, and Vitamin E. Just apply it nightly and watch ‘em grow!
Ordinary Natural Moisturizing HA Factors ➡️ Honest Hydrogel Cream
❌ What’s in The Ordinary: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, polysorbate 60, carbomer, isoceteth-20, TEA
One of my favorite moisturizers ever! Honest’s cream is a glass of water packed into a cream 💦 It has a lightweight, bouncy gel texture with a dewy finish, and no fragrances or essential oils. Bonus: it’s refillable! The first time I applied this, I was truly shocked at how well it sinks in and keeps my skin feeling supple, despite it being light and mostly water! Honest uses a unique moisture-release formula. It also feels cool on skin.
Buy Honest Hydrogel Cream Here
Also available here on Amazon, Target, and Ulta.
More From the Swap It Out Series:
I hope this post gives you a little nudge if you currently use The Ordinary products because there are plenty of options to use instead that are better and safer. As always, the information is meant to inform and educate you, not to shame you or make you feel bad about your choices. Let me know if you have any questions or comments, and thanks for reading 💚
Studies & Resources:
- Risk assessment of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) in cosmetics
- Ethylene oxide study
- Polysorbate 80: A pharmacological study
- Cosmetic preservatives of concern
