Beauty

14 Skin Care Brands Like The Ordinary With Affordable, No-Frills Products

by Kelsey Stewart and Katie Stanovick
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

There's no denying the importance of a proper skin care routine — however, it can also take a huge toll on your wallet. You know the feeling: Your stomach drops a bit more each time you add another product into your shopping cart. As it turns out, you can still give your complexion all the ingredients and formulas it needs, thanks to affordable, no frill-ingredient skin care brands like The Ordinary. No need to drop hundreds of dollars in order to achieve healthy skin.

If you're familiar with The Ordinary's fan-favorite products, you know the Canadian brand is serious about transparency and dermatologist-approved ingredients (see: niacinamide, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid), which, in turn, contributes to its high-quality, targeted formulas. But, though The Ordinary might be one of the most talked-about brands among beauty enthusiasts, it certainly isn't the only one taking the no-frills approach to skin care. As of late, other brands are cropping up and introducing products that address everything from acne to dark spots.

Ahead, get to know 14 other wallet-friendly, no-game skin care brands, and smile because you're about to save a whole lot of money (while, of course, looking good doing so).

We only include products that have been independently selected by TZR’s editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

@selflessbyhyram

The Inkey List

Ask a beauty lover their favorite affordable brand and chances are they'll say The Inkey List. Founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry in 2018, the brand offers affordable products (many under $10, if you can believe it) that actually work. Plus, you can find everything you need to complete your regimen, where it's a 10-step or five-step routine.

Hylauronic Acid

If you want dewy, supermodel-worthy skin, hyaluronic acid should be a staple in your routine. Luckily, you can get your hands on it for less money than your Sweetgreen salad, thanks to The Inkey List.

Retinol

New to the retinol world? Start your introduction with The Inkey List's Retinol. For only $10.99, this retinol works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Rosen Skincare

Rosen Skincare is catered to those with acne. Founded by Jamika Rosen, the brand makes things easy for shoppers by offering routines based on area of concern. For instance, there's the texture routine and scars routine. Bonus: You can head over to your local Target and snag the brand's products.

Super Smoothie Cleanser

Don't just drink your smoothies — put them on your face, too. Rosen Skincare's Super Smoothie Cleanser contains super pure fruit powders that work to smooth out skin texture. Not to mention, this product has a lovely fruity scent to it.

Bright Citrus Serum

If you struggle with scarring or dark spots, the brand's Bright Citrus Serum will be your new best friend. Infused with powerful tyrosinase inhibitors, vitamin C, and mulberry extract, watch these skin concerns slowly but surely fade away.

Selfless by Hyram

Created by TikTok's top "skinfluencer" Hyram Yarbro, Selfless by Hyram, which the 25-year old created in collaboration with The Inkey List, is all about simple yet effective formulas that won't cost you a fortune (read: the most expensive product is $47). Hero ingredients in the products include hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol.

Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum

Treat your skin to a nice gentle exfoliation with Selfless by Hyram's Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum. Containing AHAs and BHAs as well as salicylic acid, this product is recommended to be used every other day at nighttime.

Niacinamide & Maracuja Daily Barrier Support Moisturizer

For those in search of a lightweight moisturizer to use for the rest of the summer, look no further than Selfless by Hyram's Niacinamide & Maracuja Daily Barrier Support Moisturizer. Infused with antioxidants and vitamins, this product will give your skin a subtle glow.

Romer Skincare

Launched by Lauren Rome, Romer's ethos is simple, clean skin care. This philosophy is shown through its gentle product line, infused with high-quality ingredients like manuka honey, shea butter, aloe vera, and green tea extract. Price-wise, you won't pay more than $51 for the Chicago-based brand's products.

Cleanse

If you're in the market for a new cleanser, scoop up this gel-oil formula from Romer Skincare. This product delivers all the benefits you want in a cleanser: It removes makeup, hydrates, and most importantly, you won't have to worry it stripping your skin.

Moisturize

This lightweight moisturizer from Romer Skincare is ideal for those with dry, dull skin. Infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, and grape seed oil, this formula will give your complexion a much-needed dose of hydration.

Naturium

Looking for The Ordinary's science-y names and active ingredients? Turn to Naturium, a biocompatible skin care brand — aka it believes in working with active formulas containing safe pH levels and non-toxic components — which is mainly achieved via the brand's "No List:" a collection of never-used ingredients like fragrance, parabens, and gluten. Right now, there are 11 products in the plant-powered skin care lineup — serums, eye creams, oils, and cleansers — ranging from $16 to $25.

Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%

Keep things ultra-hydrated with this quadruple hyaluronic acid serum. It's made with four different molecular weights to make sure each level of your skin gets penetrated.

Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Niacinamide — also known as vitamin B3 — and zinc salt work together in this serum to even texture, tone, and reduce the look of pore size.

Maelove

Although a tad more expensive than The Ordinary's prices, Maelove is equally beloved for its streamlined skin care. With the exception of one specialty oil ringing in at $74.95 (which many reviewers say is worth it), the serums, creams, oils, cleansers, and body products ring in around $30. But that doesn't mean they aren't luxury; in fact, quite the opposite. It was founder and MIT graduate Jackie Kim's mission to create a brand that erased the line between high-end and affordable skin care.

Glow Maker

With nearly 6,000 reviews and counting, Maelove's vitamin C, E, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid serum is lauded for boosting skin's hydration and brightness.

Sun Protector SPF 30

This isn't any old mineral sunscreen; it's formulated with hydrating vitamins C and E, and it doubles as a makeup primer for those days you're running out the door.

Cocokind

Taking plant-based in a more "natural" direction is Cocokind. Though at the beginning, founder Priscilla Tsai made every product with coconut oil, the brand has branched out since its 2015 launch to include things like raspberries, sea grape caviar, and ginger. Each skin care product — exfoliators, masks, cleansers, and oils — are gluten-free and cruelty-free — and they're all under $25.

Facial Repair Oil

Hydration nation rise. Cocokind's Facial Repair Oil was made to act as an everyday moisturizer for both day and night with added rosehip oil to smooth and even skin tone.

Turmeric Stick

Beat clogged pores and a dull complexion with this blend of turmeric, ginger, and tea tree oil. Treat it like a mask and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off; just beware the golden ingredient, turmeric, can stain clothing and sheets.

Good Molecules

Good Molecules is probably as close as you can get to The Ordinary without actually buying The Ordinary (in terms of price and offerings, that is). The brand has 29 products all under $20 — but starting at $5 — that focus on specific skin care needs like acne, redness, brightening, and cleansing. It's mainly high-power serums with ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, and alpha and beta hydroxy acids, but the brand carries oils, treatments, cleansers and toners as well. Unlike The Ordinary, you don't have to know what percentage or scientific-name ingredient to look for because most products are simply named for what they do.

Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

This very well may be the one product from the brand you *have* to try. It combines 10% alpha and beta hydroxy acids to not only clear dead skin, but remove bacteria and dirt from clogged pores.

Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

The Ordinary's Rosehip Seed Oil has garnered a cult-like following, but this one from Good Molecules is worth trying. It has vitamin A to reduce redness and lines while the rosehip seed oil nourishes and hydrates.

Pixi

Pixi has been a longtime go-to for budget and splurge shoppers alike due to its wide range of well-made products. Its skin care lineup has practically everything you need — tonics, moisturizers, masks, and mists, to name a few — with ingredients like collagen, retinol, and rose extract. Shop by category, solution, or collection on the site to find your perfect fit out of the numerous options. The most you'll spend on a single skin care product is $29, but a good chunk of the brand's offerings are $25 and under.

Glow Tonic

One of the brand's best-selling products is Glow Tonic. The toner brightens, exfoliates, and smooths skin, thanks to its key ingredient: 5% glycolic acid. Grab it in its mini form (100 milliliters) for $15.

Overnight Glow Serum

This serum is a highly concentrated exfoliating gel that helps to reveal a more even and radiant skin tone while you sleep. It’s formulated with 10% glycolic acid and arginine, as well as enriched with cucumber and aloe vera for soothing properties.

Acure

Check out Acure if you're looking for formulas made without parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, paraffin, mineral oil, or animal testing. Plus, it's 100% vegan so no matter what you snag — oils, serums, cleansers, or eye masks — you can be sure it's been thoughtfully sourced. Aside from its extensive skin care, the brand also tackles hair care and body. And, perhaps best of all, you'll never pay more than $25 for any of Acure's products.

The Essentials 100% Plant Squalane Oil

When it says 100% squalane, it means it; that's the only ingredient in this new serum from the brand. Use anytime and for anything, because it's a jack of all trades: It helps with moisturizing, balance, and producing a lit-from-within glow.

Radically Rejuvenating Facial Scrub

Pick up this scrub for max cleansing powers. Moroccan red clay and black jojoba beads work to rid of dirt and bacteria while rose oil calms everything down so you won't be left tender and red.

Revolution

London-based brand Revolution debuted its skin care line more than a year ago and fans are loving it. Mainly because it maintains the same mission as the makeup: quality for everyone. The line originally started with 13 products but has since grown in size. It now offers serums, oils, cleansers, face masks, and tools, but still never goes over the $20 mark for a single product. Don't live in London or don't want to deal with international shipping? The brand can be found at Ulta stores and online as well.

Targeted Acne Serum 2% Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a miracle worker when it comes to fighting acne, so if you're struggling with breakouts, pick up Revolution's Targeted Acne Serum 2% Salicylic Acid.

Conceal & Define Foundation

For those who love The Ordinary for its foundation, try Revolution's full-coverage Conceal & Define that comes in a whopping 50 shades. (It technically comes from the brand's makeup line, but its all under one umbrella.)

iNNBeauty Project

Built around the pillars of inclusive, affordable skin care that’s non-toxic, vegan, and proudly cruelty-free, iNNBeauty Project is all about celebrating natural skin in all its forms. With bright colors, fun and zingy names, and prices that won’t break the bank, iNNBeauty aims to reach a younger demographic that feels disconnected from legacy skin care brands. From lip oils to moisturizers to its new retinol treatment, iNNBeauty has all of the essentials and more.

Down to Tone

This is a serious chemical exfoliating toner to help you say goodbye to dull, lifeless skin and hello to a bright, smooth, and glowing complexion. It features an alcohol-free blend of six skin-loving acids, niacinamide, bilberry extract, and sugarcane and maple extract.

Retinol Remix 1% Retinol Treatment

Fully vegan, this potent blend of three types of retinol, peptides, and tranexamic acid works to visibly reduce wrinkles & enlarged pores while brightening & smoothing for a radiant complexion. It also features soothing ingredients, such as chamomile and Tasmanian pepper berry.

SkinButtr

Beauty entrepreneur and model Tatiana Elizabeth created SkinButtr with the mission to build confidence, simplify beauty routines, and promote healthy, glowing skin sustainably. The brand is made of a body care line consisting of whipped shea-base body butters and scrubs and a skin care line with an all-natural hydrating step-by-step system. Not to mention, all of the products with the exception of one luxurious moisturizer ring in at $25 or less.

Cleansr

Tough on dirt and daily grime, but mild enough to use as a daily face wash, Skin Buttr’s Cleansr is made with mild vegetable based cleansers, botanical extracts, and lots of aloe to assist in alleviating irritation and providing water-based moisture. It’s full of natural vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to help get softer and clearer skin fast.

Exfoliatr

Aimed to be used once or twice a week, this product infuses the skin with natural oils while exfoliating with small grains to gently bring newer skin to the surface and help remove imperfections and fine lines. Plus, the high concentration of antioxidants in the green tea protects the skin from environmental toxins.

Typology

Created by Ning Li, the French brand Typology was born from a mission of demystifying skin care with simple, straight-talking transparency. With an ingredient-focused and minimalist approach, Typology beauty and skin care products are naturally active, effective, and sustainable. Plus, the brand is B Corp certified, meaning it meets high standards of balancing profit with purpose, including verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

Purifying Moisturizer 4% Zinc PCA + Bamboo Extract

Formulated without irritating parabens, phenoxyethanol, paraffin oil, or sulfates — like all Typology products — this active-rich moisturizer will help reduce excess sebum and fight breakouts. A whopping 98% naturally-derived, its vegan formula features zinc derived from beetroot and mattifying bamboo extract.

Eye Serum 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide

To combat under-eye bags, this is a circulation-boosting eye serum to visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles. The formula features natural caffeine, which is known to facilitate blood circulation and reduce water retention, diminishing the appearance of puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

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