Skincare brands: The Ordinary vs. Glow Recipe
Quick Verdict
The Ordinary is a budget-friendly option with high ingredient transparency, while Glow Recipe offers a more luxurious experience with a focus on sustainability and cruelty-free practices.
- The Ordinary is significantly more affordable, while Glow Recipe is mid-range to high-end.
- Both brands provide ingredient transparency, but The Ordinary specifies percentages of active ingredients.
- Glow Recipe is fully cruelty-free, whereas The Ordinary is owned by a non-cruelty-free parent company.
- Glow Recipe focuses more on sustainable packaging than The Ordinary.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | The Ordinary | Glow Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Price point | Affordable, many products under $10 | Mid-range to high-end |
| Ingredient transparency | Detailed ingredient lists, including percentages of active ingredients | Full ingredient lists provided, purpose of active ingredients shared |
| Cruelty-free status | Certified cruelty-free, but owned by a non-cruelty-free parent company | Certified cruelty-free |
| Targeted skin concerns | Acne, aging, hydration, dryness, hyperpigmentation, redness, dullness, and uneven skin tone | Acne, aging, dryness, hyperpigmentation, dullness, pores, redness, and irritation |
| Packaging sustainability | Making efforts to use more responsible packaging, still relies heavily on virgin plastic | Eco-friendly materials, recyclable packaging, PCR plastic and glass used, refillable options available |
Overall Comparison
Price: The Ordinary wins; Cruelty-free: Glow Recipe wins; Sustainability: Glow Recipe wins; Transparency: Tie
Pros and Cons
The Ordinary
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- High ingredient transparency
- Cruelty-free certification
- Targets a wide range of skin concerns
- Wide product range and variety
- Fragrance-free options
- Effective skincare
- Accessibility and availability
Cons:
- Owned by a non-cruelty-free parent company
- Packaging relies heavily on virgin plastic
- Some users report issues with layering products
- Some users report irritation, redness, or dryness
- Some users find the texture of certain products unpleasant
- Customer service issues reported
Glow Recipe
Pros:
- Effective in addressing skin concerns like acne, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and redness for some users
- Lightweight textures and pleasant scents
- Noticeable improvements in skin's texture and tone within a few days for some users
- Packaging is visually appealing
- Layers well with other skincare products
- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops can be used as a primer
- Full ingredient lists and transparency about sourcing practices
Cons:
- Fragrances can be strong and may not suit all skin types
- Some users have reported breakouts or allergic reactions
- Some users have found similar products via Korean skincare brands that are more effective and cost less
- Varying effectiveness depending on the user
User Experiences and Feedback
The Ordinary
What Users Love
- Effective for acne-prone skin (Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution)
- Effective for hydration (Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, 100% Plant-Derived Squalane)
- Effective for hyperpigmentation (Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, Lactic Acid 10%, Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA)
- Effective as higher-priced brands
- Allows users to experiment with different ingredients without spending a fortune
- The Ordinary is known for its transparency regarding ingredients
- The Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and the Multi-Peptide Eye Serum are reported to perform well under makeup
Common Complaints
- Some users have reported irritation, redness, or dryness
- Some users find the texture of certain products, like the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, to be unpleasant or chalky
- The Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum can be a little tacky
- Some users have reported difficulty layering certain The Ordinary products with other skincare
- For hyperpigmentation, it can take months to see significant fading of dark spots
Value Perception
- Affordable
- Effective as higher-priced brands
- Allows users to experiment with different ingredients without spending a fortune
User Recommendations
- Many reviewers find The Ordinary products to be as effective as higher-priced brands.
- The affordability of the brand allows users to experiment with different ingredients without spending a fortune.
- The Ordinary is known for its transparency regarding ingredients, listing active ingredients and their concentrations on their packaging and website.
- Many reviewers recommend The Ordinary products to others with similar skin types and concerns, citing their effectiveness and affordability.
Glow Recipe
What Users Love
- Effective in addressing skin concerns
- Lightweight textures
- Pleasant scents
- Noticeable improvements in skin texture and tone
- Layers well with other skincare products
Common Complaints
- Strong fragrances
- Breakouts or allergic reactions
- Less effective compared to similar products
- Varying effectiveness
Value Perception
- Some users feel products are effective and worth the price
- Some users found similar products via Korean skincare brands that are more effective and cost less
User Recommendations
- Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is designed to be a lightweight and powerful clarifying serum that soothes, helps with breakouts, keeps skin hydrated, and helps even skin tone.
- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops are reported to brighten skin and minimize pores.
- Some users with sensitive skin have reported that certain Glow Recipe products did not cause irritation or redness and even helped to calm their rosacea.