This post is all about The Ordinary must-haves under $15.

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If you have been following the blog for a while, you might know how obsessed I am with skincare. I have tried many products throughout the years and I’ve been telling you my experiences with them. When I first heard about The Ordinary, I didn’t really trust it. Too many good ingredients for such low prices. After talking to my mum – a Beauty Specialist and Esthetician with more than 25 years of experience – she told me it was possible, and I decided to give it a try.
I introduced a couple of products into my already really good skincare routine, and after a couple of weeks, I fell deeply in love with their products. I have been trying new products and transforming my routine into an integral The Ordinary Skincare routine, and my skin feels better than ever.
With skincare, there is a lot of trial and error, but I finally discovered my favourite The Ordinary must-haves, 9 products that I need to have with me at all times. These The Ordinary must-haves will give you flawless and healthy skin in a matter of weeks. I know how you guys love knowing about our favourite products and beauty preferences and Camila Vila‘s ones are amazing. You must check out her blog post “12 Favorite Beauty Products Of 2020”
My The Ordinary Must-Haves:
1. Squalane Cleanser ($7.90)
Double-cleansing is one of the most important things to do before applying the rest of The Ordinary must-haves. Typically, you would use an oily cleanser first to get rid of your makeup, if you are wearing any, and then you would use a creamy cleanser like this insanely good Squalane Cleanser.
The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser is a gentle cleansing product formulated to target makeup removal whilst leaving the skin feeling smooth and moisturized. The formula incorporates Squalane, alongside other lipophilic esters that are highly efficient in dissolving makeup and facial impurities. Definitely one of the best The Ordinary must-have products.
2. Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution ($8.70)
After properly cleansing your skin, a good Toner is the next step. The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution exfoliates and tones with 7% glycolic acid, amino acids, aloe vera, ginseng, and Tasmanian pepper berry.
This amazing toner exfoliates the skin and improves the appearance of skin texture. It is recommended for oily, combination and normal skin types, but I have combination to dry skin and works miracles for me. One of my favourite The Ordinary must-haves.
3. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80)
This is THE product that EVERYONE should use. This product is suitable for all skin types and works wonders for all of them. It is a hydrating formula with ultra-pure vegan hyaluronic acid. This formulation combines low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of B5 for enhanced hydration.
This is genuinely one of the best The Ordinary Must-Haves I have ever tried. From day 1 I felt my skin healthier, glowier and super hydrated – I have combination to dry skin.
“Hyaluronic Acid helps reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles retaining moisture to the skin, creating a plumping effect. When the skin is protected and hydrated, increased skin cell production can take place, as the skin isn’t busy fighting for hydration. This leads to smoother, plumper skin cells”. – Cosmedica Skincare
{Related Post: 12 Favorite Beauty Products Of 2020 by Camila Vilas)
4. 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil ($7)
Argan oil is not one of those The Ordinary Must-Haves that you need to use every day or use it at all if you don’t have dry or flaky skin. Argan oil contains a large number of healing properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce symptoms for a number of different inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea.
It works wonders on scars or marks, and it is also really good for your hair. The omega fatty acids in argan oil help to strengthen tissues in the skin and therefore can aid in wrinkle prevention. To up the anti-ageing powers, look for products that combine argan oil with ceramides.
5. Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG ($6.70)
This is another of my favourite The Ordinary must-haves. Caffeine Solution is a concentrated serum with high-solubility caffeine and green tea to visibly reduce eye contour pigmentation and puffiness and it is suitable for all skin types.
I have always had really dark circles under the eyes, no matter how much I sleep or how much water I drink. I am not kidding when I say that after 1 week and a half of using this I have seen a huge improvement. One of my goals for this year is going completely foundation-free and to do so I want to get rid of those dark circles, which I am sure I will do following this The ordinary skincare routine.
6. Retinol 0.5% in Squalane ($5.80)
Retinol is not part of my The Ordinary skincare routine right now, but I use it every now and then and I still love it. Retinol is an ingredient that can reduce the appearances of fine lines, photodamage and general skin ageing. While Retinol has been studied extensively, it is irritating to the skin and newer technologies exist that mimic the visible effects of Retinol without causing skin irritation.
I recommend Retinol if you have previous experience with water-free and highly concentrated acids and you don’t have highly sensitive skin or other skin conditions. If you are new to this and want to try it – because it is really good – I recommend you to start with the .2% option and always after patch testing.
7. “Buffet” ($14.80)
Another of my favourite The Ordinary must-haves: “Buffet”. Also suitable for all skin types, this multi-peptide serum has plenty of ingredients that target multiple signs of ageing. It is perfect for dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and uneven texture.
This combines most of The Ordinary must-haves, perfect for those who don’t have the time to commit to a long skincare routine with lots of steps.
8. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution ($7.20)
I am sure that you’ve seen plenty of this on every single The Ordinary must-haves TikTok out there, and I can see why. This exfoliating solution helps fight visible blemishes and improve the look of skin texture and radiance. Suitable for Normal, Combination, and Oily skin complexions. Works great if you are targeting ageing signs such as blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness and uneven texture.
It is not one of my current The Ordinary must-haves because of my skin situation right now, but it has been in the past and I a 100% recommend it!
9. Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($7.70)
This wouldn’t be a perfect The Ordinary skincare routine guide with the most important step – a part of your sunscreen. A good moisturiser is what will protect your skin throughout the day and seal the rest of the products in your skin. This has become one of David and I’s most favourite The Ordinary must-haves, and we literally don’t leave the house without it.
This formulation has plenty of active ingredients that your skin will love – including Hyaluronic acid and 11 others – and will provide it with perfect non-greasy, immediate topical hydration.
I hope you loved my The Ordinary Must-haves and let me know your opinions if you’ve tried any of them!!
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Great post! Most of these products I don’t know and will have to try out . My personal favorite is rosehip oil!
So helpful! Also, I love how affordable all these products are. I’m definitely saving this post for later! 🙌😊
I have to check if and where they sell this brand in the UK, but it surely must be available. Hyaluronic acid caught my attention. I’m using a brand that is a bit pricy; maybe it’s time I looked for something else. Thanks for reviewing this line, I will have a look!
These are great!!!! Thanks for sharing!