In a market where eye-catching, trendy beauty products reign supreme, one skincare brand ran the other direction and carved a place for itself.
Today, The Ordinary has garnered a loyal following of skincare enthusiasts—even Kim Kardashian‘s a fan. The brand pushes for transparency when it comes to ingredients, an ethos that made it trustworthy and timeless.
The Ordinary may not have a physical retail store in Singapore but they can be purchased easily online if you know which sites ship here.
Read on for our recommendations of the best The Ordinary products (yes, including whether The Ordinary Niacinamide is worth purchasing) and where to buy The Ordinary products in Singapore.
Why The Ordinary is anything but ordinary
The skincare line, which sits under parent company Deciem, was founded by the late Brandon Truaxe. Instead of using vague, quirky names to get the attention of customers, he wanted to present The Ordinary’s products with no frills attached. Every product is housed in an apothecary-style bottle and identified by its active ingredients. It’s as simple as that.
When you click on a product on The Ordinary’s website, you’ll see a detailed but digestible description of what the ingredients do. The brand also tells you when and how to use the products in your routine, so it’s a godsend for skincare novices.
Why The Ordinary’s products are priced so affordably
Effective serums and oils are usually quite pricey, so you may be confused about the affordable prices tagged on The Ordinary’s products. There are a few reasons behind it. Firstly, they’re packaged minimally and each product has a short ingredients list. This helps to cut down on prices.
Secondly, the ingredients the brand uses are proven to be effective. In fact, they’ve been subjected to rigorous internal testing over the years, so The Ordinary doesn’t have to engage external researchers to run tests again. Finally, the brand keeps its marketing costs down and let the products speak for themselves.
If you’re looking to purchase The Ordinary’s products, you can get them from the main website. However, shipping costs a whopping US$38 (that’s about S$53), and it’s only free if you spend a minimum of US$250 (~S$352). Fortunately, there are six online retailers to help us get The Ordinary in Singapore at a much lower shipping fee. Some are even free!
Where to buy The Ordinary in Singapore
1. Beautylish
Founded a decade ago, Beautylish created a community for skincare and makeup junkies to share their beauty wisdom. Today, the US-based company has more than 100 brands on their site, including The Ordinary. Beautylish currently has 43 skincare products from The Ordinary, so you’re likely to find the one you’re looking for.
While you’re there, you can find popular makeup brands like Jeffree Star Cosmetics and Kevyn Aucoin on Beautylish. There are also other up-and-coming skincare brands to check out, such as Good Molecules, Versed, and Holifrog.
See Beautylish’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
2. LookFantastic
LookFantastic, Europe’s number one beauty reseller, expanded to Singapore to bring us the best beauty products. Here’s the best part: delivery is free for all orders in Singapore, so there’s no minimum spend. You can expect your order to arrive within five to ten working days too, but there may be a slight delay now because of the pandemic.
At the moment, LookFantastic has 27 products from The Ordinary, including the lightweight Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation. It has bestsellers like the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and “Buffet” Supersized Serum. They’ve recently created a list of #stayhome beauty essentials too, which you can check out here.
See LookFantastic’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
3. Beauty Bay
Based in the UK, Beauty Bay is known to bring hard-to-find brands to the masses. With over 7,000 products on its site and new launches every week, the company is truly the “ultimate destination for all things beauty”. Beauty Bay currently has 102 products from The Ordinary, including skincare and makeup. We can hear fans of the brand rejoicing right about now.
You can also pick up products from new beauty brands like Millie Bobby Brown’s Florence by Mills while you’re shopping. Shipping for orders without tracking is free, while tracked shipping comes at S$9. When your order total is more than S$70, you’re also entitled to free shipping.
See Beauty Bay’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
4. Cult Beauty
When two skincare-obsessed individuals grew frustrated with underwhelming beauty offerings, they decided to create Cult Beauty. The beauty devotees behind Cult Beauty are always on the hunt for the coolest, most talked-about beauty brands and products. The company prides itself on transparency, something that aligns with The Ordinary’s mission.
Right now, Cult Beauty has 48 items from The Ordinary, including its popular AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. Orders over £40 (S$69.68) are entitled to free standard delivery, while orders above £150 (S$261) can enjoy free priority delivery.
See Cult Beauty’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
5. Skinx
Skinx is a local online beauty retailer that also has a storefront along Amoy Street. With a curated selection of 18 brands, the company aims to bring the best skincare and makeup products to customers. At the moment, Skinx has 38 products from The Ordinary. If you’re a fan of Korean skincare, you’ll be pleased to know that Skinx stocks up on CosRx, Pyunkang Yul, and Son & Park too.
You can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend—music to our ears. If you’re placing a hefty order and you’re strapped for cash, Skinx lets you pay in monthly instalments with no interest or additional fees, so you can breathe easy.
See Skinx’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
6. Hush.sg
Local beauty retailer Hush.sg makes sure its skincare and makeup offerings are available at affordable prices. Members can earn rebate points from selected items, some of which are from The Ordinary. These points can be used to offset future purchases. Hush.sg has also taken to Instagram recently (above) to verify the authenticity of their products.
The site is also home to a variety of K-beauty brands such as Benton, IOPE, and Banila Co. For orders below S$60, there’ll be a shipping fee of S$3.50, while orders above S$60 ship for free.
See Hush.sg’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
7. Shopee
If you’re a regular on Shopee, we’ve got great news. Shopee has teamed up with Hush.sg and Sasa to bring you authentic skincare products from The Ordinary. All the items featured on Shopee are certified and imported from authorised retailers in Canada, the US, and Europe. You can also pick up exclusive vouchers and bundle deals while you’re at it.
See Shopee’s selection of The Ordinary products here.
8. Escentials
With two physical stores at ION Orchard and Paragon as well as an online store, multi-label beauty retailer Escentials is perhaps best known for its suite of luxury fragrances. Apart from indulgent scents, Escentials also carries notable skincare and makeup brands, such as Eve Lom and Lipstick Queen. And now, it has brought The Ordinary on board too.
The retailer has 18 products from the brand at the moment, featuring bestsellers like the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and “Buffet” Peptide Serum. For those who wish there was an introductory kit to The Ordinary, Escentials has The Daily Set (above), which comes with the Squalane Cleanser, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
See Escentials’ selection of The Ordinary products here.
Bestsellers from The Ordinary you have to try
1. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Just like how a shot of espresso jolts you awake in the morning, topical caffeine can also wake tired skin. The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a serum that’s packed with caffeine to reduce puffy undereyes and dark circles.
The serum contains EGCG from green tea leaves too, which works quickly to soothe the skin and reduce visible signs of stress. It’s lightweight and absorbs fast into the skin, so it won’t irritate your delicate eye area or muck up your concealer. You can use this twice a day, in the morning and at night, for fresher, more radiant skin.
Of the recommended stores, Beauty Bay offers the best price at S$9.25 and with free shipping. This is accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, Escentials, and Beautylish.
2. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
It may look like blood in a glass dropper bottle, but the magic of The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is in its acids. The formula contains glycolic and lactic acids that work to exfoliate the top layers of the skin. This helps to unclog pores, fade acne scars, and brighten dark spots for an even complexion.
When combined with salicylic acid, the solution targets acne and exfoliates your pores to control sebum production and prevent breakouts. If that sounds a little much, the serum also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to hydrate and soothe your skin. That being said, we don’t recommend this product to those with sensitive skin as it can be a tad too harsh.
To use the serum, apply it evenly on dry skin and avoid the eye area. Leave it on for no longer than ten minutes, then wash it off. Due to the high concentration of acids that can leave your skin sensitive to the sun, we suggest using this only at night.
Of the recommended stores, Beauty Bay offers the best price at S$10 and with free shipping. This is accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, and Beautylish.
3. The Ordinary “Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum
With a ton of actives listed in the ingredients list, it’s no wonder this serum is called the “Buffet”. The concentrated serum boasts multiple peptide complexes that work with 11 different skin-friendly amino acids to address multiple signs of ageing. When use regularly, the serum helps to smooth out your complexion and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Apart from collagen-boosting actives, the serum also contains hyaluronic acid, which replenishes hydration levels for soft, plump skin. Yup, it’s the Fountain of Youth in a bottle. You can use this twice a day, in the morning and at night.
Of the recommended stores, Beauty Bay offers the best price at S$20.50 for 30ml and with free shipping. But Lookfantastic has the best price at S$43 for the 60ml bottle and with free shipping. These are accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Beautylish, Escentials, and Cult Beauty.
4. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
As many skincare enthusiasts know, hyaluronic acid is the key to healing dry skin. This ingredient is known for its ability to retain over 1,000 times its weight in water within skin cells, which is impressive. The Ordinary’s serum has added vitamin B5 to the mix, which also helps to draw moisture to the skin. Its oil-free formula is light enough for those with oily skin, and it also works for those with drier skin.
You can layer this serum on twice a day after your toner and before your moisturiser. If your skin’s feeling especially parched, you can also mix a couple drops of oil into it to lock in the hydration.
Of the recommended stores, Beauty Bay offers the best price at S$9.50 for 30ml and with free shipping. But Lookfantastic is the only platform that has the 60ml bottle, which retails for S$19.50 and with free shipping. These are accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Cult Beauty, Escentials, and Beautylish.
5. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that visibly minimises the appearance of pores, reduces skin congestion, and calms active breakouts. The ingredient does all of this while it softens fine lines, evens out your skin tone, and fades dark spots. A true powerhouse ingredient in this serum from The Ordinary.
Particularly good for those with oily, blemish-prone skin, the serum also contains zinc PCA, an anti-inflammatory mineral. It is commonly used to treat burns and scars while it fends off free radicals. On top of that, it also speeds up collagen production to help you achieve that youthful glow. You can use this twice a day, day and night.
Of the recommended stores, Lookfantastic offers the best price at S$10. It also sells a bundle of two 30ml bottles for S$18.50 if you’re hoping to snag more savings. These come with free shipping. Note that this product is out of stock at most other stores. All information is accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Sasa, Escentials, and Beautylish.
6. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
An active form of vitamin A, retinol addresses signs of ageing, such as fine lines and sun damage. It can even help reduce acne too. The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has two forms of retinol in the formula, but it’s gentler than most retinol serums.
This lightweight, milky serum works hard to smooth out fine lines, firm up the skin, and lighten stubborn pigmentation. It also targets textural irregularities, so you’ll notice softer, smoother skin with continued use. Apply a small amount on your face at night, and use it after your water-based serums and before heavier moisturisers.
This product appears to be out of stock everywhere at the time of writing, although Beauty Bay would usually offer the best price at S$15.25. You can submit your email address to have them notify you when it’s back in stock.
This product is also available at Cult Beauty, Lookfantastic (as part of a skincare set), and Beautylish.
7. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Best suited for those with normal to dry skin, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin. This 7% solution sloughs off dead skin cells gently for a clearer, more radiant complexion. With continued use, the formula also helps to improve the appearance of your skin texture.
The solution also contains Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce skin irritation—an effect that glycolic acid can sometimes have on the skin. There’s also ginseng root and aloe vera in the formula to soothe the skin and boost radiance. If you have sensitive, peeling, or damaged skin, the formulators at The Ordinary advises against using this product. Otherwise, you can use this at night, no more than once a day.
This product appears to be out of stock everywhere at the time of writing, except at Hush.sg at S$16.26. You can submit your email address to have them notify you when it’s back in stock.
If you’re still hoping to get it at a cheaper price, consider submitting your email address to Lookfantastic (S$12.50, free shipping), Beauty Bay (S$12, free shipping), Cult Beauty (£6.80 or ~S$12.05), or Beautylish (US$8.70, ~S$12.15). All information is accurate at the time of writing.
8. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
The human body naturally produces squalane to keep our skin firm and hydrated. As we age, however, the amount we make decreases. Luckily for us, there are skincare products that contain squalane, like this one from The Ordinary. This 100% plant-derived squalane has an oil-like, spreadable texture that smooths onto the skin easily.
Since it mimics the skin’s natural squalane, it helps to restore moisture without clogging your pores. You can also use it on your hair to tame frizzies. Apply a few drops on your face after your moisturiser twice a day to seal in the hydration.
Of the recommended stores, Beauty Bay offers the best price at S$9.70 and with free shipping. Cult Beauty matches the price closely at £5.50 (~S$9.75). These are accurate at the time of writing.
This product is also available at Lookfantastic, Escentials, and Beautylish.
