The Ordinary has surprised us with an impromptu birthday sale, and the offers are some of the strongest we’ve seen from the skincare brand in 2026 so far.
For a limited time, everything on the site is reduced by 23 per cent, with one select bundle slashed by a huge 50 per cent. That means now’s your chance to stock up on everyday skincare staples for less or, for beauty beginners among us, finally try the formulas that have been sitting on your wishlist.
Given The Ordinary’s reputation for effective, no-frills skincare at accessible prices, these discounts effectively make what’s already an affordable range feel even more tempting. Whether you’re shopping for anti-ageing heroes, hydrating serums or exfoliating treatments, most of the brand’s products sit below £20 to begin with, so this sale boasts some serious bargains.
I test beauty products every day and have tried plenty of the brand’s best-selling formulas first hand, from its hyaluronic acid serum to its glycolic acid toner. To help sort the hero products from the impulse basket adds, I’ve rounded up the surprise birthday sale picks I think you should snap up – before everyone beats you to it.
Read more: The Ordinary’s serum foundation is perfect ‘for a natural finish’ – and it’s just £5
The Ordinary’s best birthday sale picks
- The Ordinary the age support set: Was £29.50, now £22.71, Theordinary.com
- The Ordinary the bright set: Was £21.50, now £16.55, Theordinary.com
- The Ordinary glucoside foaming cleanser: Was £11.10, now £8.55, Theordinary.com
- The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA for hair: Was £14, now £10.78, Theordinary.com
- The Ordinary multi-active delivery essence: Was £10.60, now £8.16, Theordinary.com
What to buy in The Ordinary’s birthday sale
The Ordinary the age support set
If you’re looking to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, this trio should be your first point of call. Reduced by 23 per cent, the set combines peptides to plump; hyaluronic acid to boost fullness; and phytoceramides to minimise dryness. Buying the three items individually would set you back almost £41, so this bundle actually saves you more than £15, in comparison. Beauty expert Helen Wilson-Beevers loved the phytoceramides moisturiser when she tested it. “I saw a fresh-skin finish and was suitably impressed by the moisturising results,” she reported.
The Ordinary volufiline 92% + pal-isoleucine 1%
The Ordinary’s volufiline serum is the latest formula to join the brand’s extensive product roster. It’s proved hugely popular since its launch and, in skincare expert Sabine Wiesel’s review of the targeted solution, she deduced after a month that her “under-eyes started to look plumper, with shadows less noticeable”. One month to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Sign me up – especially now that it comes with a discount.
The Ordinary GF 15% solution
The Ordinary’s GF solution aims to target rough skin and minimise the appearance of testing. When mature skin expert Sabine Wiesel put the serum through its paces for a dedicated review, she praised how “after just three weeks of use, [her] dull dry skin did look more radiant and already felt much smoother.” And now you can give it a whirl for just £10.
The Ordinary glucoside foaming cleanser
If you’ve previously been cautious around foaming cleansers, The Ordinary’s glucoside formula is evidence that you needn’t be. When beauty expert Louise Whitbread reviewed the cleanser, she was wowed at how it left her with a “refreshed, clean complexion ready for the next steps in your skincare routine, and [her] skin was left feeling soft and smooth.”
The Ordinary serum foundation
The Ordinary’s serum foundation was discontinued between 2021 and the start of 2025. Since its return, the formula has quickly returned to its former cult status and, when senior writer Daisy Lester tested the formula, her review found that “it delivers a ‘your skin but better’ look excellently.” And now you can save even more on the affordable face base.
The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + phytoceramides
Finding a good moisturiser can be tough, but skincare expert Helen Wilson-Beevers was seriously impressed with The Ordinary’s revised natural moisturising factors formula. In her review, she noted how the addition of phytoceramides afforded her “a dewy glow immediately.” After use, she enjoyed how her skin felt comforted for an extended period and commended the value for money on offer. Now with 23 per cent extra value.
The Ordinary glycolic acid 7% exfoliating toner
The Ordinary’s glycolic acid is the perfect solution for exfoliation. When I reviewed it, I was impressed by how quickly the formula works on dry areas. “I expected minimal results and a need to repeat the process several nights in a row, but I saw instant and dramatic results,” I wrote. A worthy addition to your skincare routine, especially now it’s just £6.
The Ordinary hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with ceramides)
Hyaluronic acid is an instant antidote to dehydrated skin. When I reviewed The Ordinary’s formula in my guide to the best hyaluronic acid serums, I found it to be “a solid hydrator come morning or night”. Now, thanks to this deal, the budget-friendly skin saviour is even more affordable.
The Ordinary the bright set
This quad of products comprises a squalane oil cleanser, a vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), a caffeine serum and a glycolic exfoliator. When IndyBest reviewer Ella Duggan tested the squalane face wash for her guide to the best cleansers, she found it was “thick and moisturising on the skin, giving a nice creamy feeling”, making it perfect for easy make-up removal.
The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA
Compared to the natural moisturising factors + phytoceramides moisturiser, this hyaluronic acid formula is better suited to oily skin types that lack dehydration but don’t typically suffer flaking or extreme dryness. Lightweight, yet adequately quenching – and now reduced in the birthday sale.
The Ordinary multi-active delivery essence
Reduced in The Ordinary’s birthday sale, this formula promises to prep your skin to help boost the performance of your usual skincare favourites. In my review of The Ordinary’s multi-active delivery essence, I noted that my skin barrier felt healthier after using the formula in lieu of my usual toners. Sensitive-skin-sufferers, this one’s for you.
The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA for hair
You might not be aware of The Ordinary’s haircare range, but this discount is sure to put it on your radar. When editor Samuel Mathewson put the natural moisturising factors + HA scalp serum to the test, he described how his “scalp felt soothed, cooled and moisturised straight away” after using. If you suffer from dandruff or irritation, this is definitely one to add to your wishlist.
The Ordinary retinal 0.2 per cent emulsion
The Ordinary’s budget retinol products are widely considered to be among the best affordable retinols in the beauty industry. Beauty editor Lucy Partington reviewed the best retinol serums and dubbed The Ordinary’s retinal 0.2 per cent emulsion the “best budget retinol cream”, rating it five stars (out of five). Now, thanks to the birthday sale, you can save a further 23 per cent off and get this hero retinol for only £11.70.
Do dermatologists recommend The Ordinary?
Yes, The Ordinary is often recommended by dermatologists. In fact, in our guide to a dermatologist’s routine for acne sufferers, Dr Anjali Mahto suggested that beauty expert Louise Whitbread use The Ordinary’s retinol 1% (was £8.50, now £6.54, Theordinary.com) specifically. She advised: “When you first use these treatments, it is very common for skin irritation and redness to occur, so, I usually recommend that treatment needs to be built up gradually.”
Read more: I tried The Ordinary’s viral ‘filler in a bottle’ serum – and it made me look ‘more youthful’ in my 40s
