The Ordinary’s New Haircare Is Here And The ELLE Review Is In

You heard it here first: the world’s most sought-after skincare brand is set to shake up the haircare space with three brand-new products. That’s right, The Ordinary has just launched its first ever shampoo and conditioner as well as a scalp serum to join the brand’s current haircare category.

By no means an industry first, several skincare-centred brands have also made the move into haircare. Take Augustinus Bader, Dr Barbara Sturm, The Inkey List, Aesop and Drunk Elephant, for instance. These industry leaders have bridged the gap between skin health and scalp health – a trend that’s been dubbed the ‘skinification of hair.’

‘We’re encouraging consumers to place an emphasis on scalp care through the same lens that’s applied to skincare,’ says Prudvi Kaka, chief scientific officer at DECIEM (The Ordinary’s parent company). A smart move when you consider that the haircare market is projected to grow annually by 3.1% which, according to analysts, is majorly driven by increased consumer concerns around scalp health.

The question is this: what sets The Ordinary haircare range apart from others? For everything you need to know – including our honest review – keep scrolling.

The Ordinary Haircare: About The Products

‘Amidst all the haircare dos and don’ts, we felt we had an opportunity and responsibility to educate consumers from a scientific view – helping to demystify controversial ingredients, bringing to light the real formulation heroes,’ says Kaka. The range offers science- backed, affordable products that focus on a minimal, yet effective, approach to hair and scalp care.

The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair

Starting with shampoo, The Ordinary’s offering champions one of the industries ‘most misconceived’ ingredients: Sulphates. ‘Sulphates belong to a group known as surfactants that can bind to both water and oil, allowing for these “unmixable” liquids to mix and wash away excess oil, dirt and debris,’ explains Kaka. Why the controversy? ‘One of the main concerns around sulphates is that they have the potential to irritate eyes and skin,’ says Kaka, ‘but this can be easily addressed by correct formula development and appropriate testing, as we have done.’

Why not go for a sulphate-free formula instead? ‘Sulphates offer superior cleansing ability, greater sensorial profiles and are readily biodegradable,’ says the DECIEM lab team. The Ordinary’s Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair contains a low concentration of its namesake ingredient (SLES-2) that effectively yet gently cleanses hair and skin without causing irritation or sensitivity. ‘It’s suitable for all skin and hair types, too’ adds Kaka.

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The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner

After shampoo comes conditioner and The Ordinary’s formula contains something called behentrimonium chloride. ‘This is the real hero in most conditioners,’ says Kaka. Why? ‘Because of its positively charged molecules.’ To break this down, Kaka explains that hair fibres have a natural negative charge and, as opposite charges attract, by coating hair fibres with a positively charged molecule, the charges are neutralised. The results? ‘Hair fibres will lay flat against each other, appearing smoother.’

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic

The latest addition to the brand’s scalp care category, this leave-in treatment focuses on hydration. ‘It contains a combination of ingredients that mimic the function of our skin’s own natural moisturising factors (NMF) alongside hyaluronic acid (HA) and squalene,’ says Kaka. ‘NMF and HA can bind and retain water, allowing for long-lasting hydration of the scalp. Additionally, squalene supplements and maintains hydration.’ Kaka recommends applying this product before you hit the hay, massaging it into a clean, dry scalp.

The Ordinary Haircare: The ELLE Review

As with all The Ordinary products, the packaging is minimalist with a clean aesthetic that outlines the hero ingredients for full transparency. The serum comes with a pipette to dispense just the right amount of product, while the shampoo and conditioner are housed in sturdy bottles that are (importantly) easy to empty.

In terms of formula, what struck us first about the shampoo is the fact that it’s low lathering. Unlike most sulphate shampoos on the market, this one only lightly foams – which feels pleasant, like you’re cleaning hair without stripping strands of moisture. It’s also gentle enough for anyone who likes to double cleanse.

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As for the conditioner, the texture is different to most that we’ve tried. It’s akin to a gel face moisturiser and feels luxurious, melting into hair as your massage it in. We were really impressed by the formula and noticed strands felt softer and smoother straight away.

The final product, the scalp serum, is an easy addition to your bedtime routine that can be applied and left on while you snooze. It has a milky white consistency that’s not at all sticky – in fact, once you’ve worked a few drops into your scalp, it’s barely noticeable. We found that, after two weeks of daily use, our scalp felt happier and healthier without any dryness.