14 Best The Ordinary Products for Budget-Friendly Radiance

Why it's worth it: The fan-favorite Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is no stranger to success, having won Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice awards. But what's behind the little red ribbon? Here, it's hyaluronic acid, which can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water, paired with vitamin B5 and ceramides to soothe skin and boost hydration levels. The combination absorbs quickly to nourish dehydrated skin stat. Just take it from our tester, Leah Prinzivalli, who layers it underneath a lightweight night cream and "wake[s] up with skin that looks like you could bounce a quarter off it."

Why it's worth it: This daily exfoliating toner is brought to you by 7% glycolic acid, which smooths, brightens, and evens tone when you use it regularly. The formula also includes a plant-derived Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative known as polygodial, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. However, remember that this product can be a bit too harsh for some sensitive skin (but not all), so perform a patch test first and steer clear if need be.

Tester feedback: "As a veritable super-sweater, I've tried everything to prevent underarm odor to no avail; essential oil-laden natural deodorants irritate my skin, and I absolutely detest the streaks antiperspirants leave on clothes," says associate director of special projects Hunter Lacey. "Years ago, my dermatologist recommended using a chemical exfoliator to stave off odor-producing bacteria by lowering the skin's pH. I've faithfully used The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. It's strong enough to get the job done but not so strong that it inflames my hyper-sensitive skin. A simple squeeze (you are seen and loved, nozzle tip) onto a cotton pad and a swipe post-shower keeps me smelling totally neutral all day."

Why it’s worth it: Okay, enough skin talk—The Ordinary just brought hair into the conversation. Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density works from the roots up to help hair look and feel fuller and healthier. The hair-growth serum “utilizes peptides, caffeine, and zinc to strengthen hair at the roots, exfoliate the scalp, and improve circulation,” Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in Hackensack, NJ, previously told Allure.” I also love this serum for those with dandruff-prone scalps as it helps reduce buildup and inflammation.”

Why it’s worth it: The Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner is a treat for sensitive skin, smoothing, soothing, and brightening all the while. Yeast ferment is the star of the show, a nutrient-rich ingredient that acts as a natural humectant. The formula begins working in around eight hours to strengthen the skin barrier and boost hydration.

Tester feedback: “I love, love hydrating toners, but when I'm dealing with texture and post-breakout dark spots, I reach for something with a little exfoliating oomph,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “The Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner is so gentle, you'd barely even know it has exfoliating properties. But thanks to fermented yeast, it sweeps away dead skin cells like a dream”.

“Testing for Best of Beauty in the dead of winter can make for dry, sensitive skin," Gutierrez explained. "Thankfully, this hydrating toner made its way to my testing bin, where it was love at first reusable cleansing pad pat. After shaking a generous amount of milky liquid onto the pad, I dabbed the water-like formula all over my cleansed complexion morning and night before following up with the rest of my skin-care routine. I've gone through a few bottles since, and my clear, glowy skin has this toner to thank."

Why it's worth it: This Squalane Cleanser feels super gentle on the skin while dissolving all evidence of makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Thanks to crucial moisturizing ingredients like squalane and glycerin, it also leaves skin feeling soft and never stripped. Features director Dianna Mazzone Singh always seeks out this multitasking makeup remover. "You only need the teensiest bit of this balm to get off every stitch of makeup since it melts into a spreadable cleansing oil," she previously said.

Why it’s worth it: ICYMI, acne doesn’t stop at the bottom of your face—no matter how far away from your teen years you find yourself. But, thanks to the Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum, you can tackle that pesky body acne at a reasonable price. The namesake acid encourages smoother, clearer skin through gentle exfoliation, and its high concentration is well-suited for the skin on the body. Plus, the nozzle applicator helps precisely target breakout areas without wasting product.

Why it’s worth it: Good things come in brown tinctures, like this Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum. By dishing out a hearty dose of collagen-stimulating copper peptides, amino acids, and multiple forms of hyaluronic acids, the peptide serum supports mature skin and boosts elasticity overall. You can also look forward to less noticeable dark spots and more even tone.

Why it's worth it: Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a lightweight serum that employs caffeine to temporarily constrict visible blood vessels and reduce the appearance of undereye puffiness. Although dark circles are oftentimes hereditary and out of your control, EGCG (or epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, in full) derived from green tea leaves can help reduce pigmentation commonly found in the eye contour region. Either way, it's worth paying extra attention to your thin and delicate undereye areas—and spending less cash to do so.

Why it's worth it: David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shared that Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is one of his top picks for treating hyperpigmentation at home. Dr. Kim vouches for mandelic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid or AHA) because, due to its large molecule size, it's gentle enough for most patients to tolerate, especially when compared to acids like salicylic or lactic acid. To further calm skin, this affordable serum contains hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft and plump.

Why it's worth it: The Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin because its main ingredient, salicylic acid—along with kaolin and charcoal—sloughs off dead, pore-clogging skin cells and speeds up the healing process of inflamed pimples. "It's my saving grace when fighting a breakout," says Gutierrez. "I have sensitive skin that's easily irritated with treatments, so I rely on this gentle mask to reduce swelling and redness while visibly improving my skin's texture."

Why it's worth it: To put it as gently as possible: add Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% to your acne-fighting regime right this second. Naturally derived from barley, rye grains, and wheat, "azelaic acid has been shown to be bactericidal against p. Acnes, the bacteria on the skin that is one of the causes of acne," Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. While that's impressive on its own, Shamban also noted that the acid is also effective at loosening dead skin cells, preventing pore clogging and acne-induced inflammation, and evening out dark spots. Best of all, it's safe for pregnant or nursing people to use.

Why it's worth it: Natural Moisturizing Factors (or NMF) help penetrate and hydrate the outer layer of skin thanks to its long list of ingredients, including amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, glycerine, sodium PCA, and hyaluronic acid. Did we mention it's also lightweight and leaves no greasy or heavy residue? The more you know.