The Ordinary based its line on ingredients targeted at specific skin concerns and provide guidance on how best to combine them for the best results. Although this is great for customers, the brand’s popularity means that products are often out of stock. So you may have to wait for weeks to get the product you want.
To solve having to wait for stock, here is a list of 6 brands with similar ethos, price products to the ordinary which can serve as either alternatives or an outright replacement for some of the ordinary products. Each of these brand have an affordable range of high quality products with no fluff just but get the job done.
INKEY List

photo source: refinery29.com
This is an ingredient-led skincare brand which launched in 2018 with 15 products priced between £5 and £10. The range includes hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, caffeine, turmeric and Q10. Its main focus is on customer education, targeted at people who want to invest in skincare but don’t know how to start because of lack of information on how products work. The focus is on transparency, simplicity, high quality ingredients, at low prices.
Key products:
- Retinol serum
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Lactic Acid,
- Vitamin C Serum
Available at:
- Cult beauty,
- Victoria health
- Feel unique
Alex Steiner x Primark

photo source: hellomagazine.com
This is one that came to my notice pretty late and it is a collaboration with Glamour beauty editor and PRIMARK with the prices to match. None of the product costs more than £5. The collection consists of 20 products categorised based skincare needs. With a range for city skin, acne and dehydration, which allows you to mix and match depending on your needs.
Key products
- Plump& Glow Facial in a Stick,
- Pore Balance Anti-blackhead Stick
- Maximum Moisture Supreme Sheet Mask
- Super Detox Clay Mousse Mask
- Micellar Cleansing Gel,
Available: select PRIMARK stores
Garden of Wisdom (GOW) Skincare

photo source: harpersbazaar.com
This is an oldie which has recently gone mainstream. It is an Arizona based cruelty free brand with a focus on simple ingredient formulations. Prices start from £9 and go up to £20.
Its approach is using serums to target specific skin concerns and encourage skin balance and stability. All serums use the optimum strength additives and the minimum number of inactive ingredients making them more effective.
Key products
- Hyaluronic Acid Serum,
- Salicylic Acid 2% Serum
- Niacinamide Serum
Available at:
- Victoria health,
- Garden of wisdom
Revolution Skincare

photo source: revolutionbeauty.com
This brand is best known for its £4.99 concealer but has recently introduced skincare into its product range. The products are vegan and cruelty-free with prices ranging from £5-£10. It is an extensive range with something for every skin type, the products are classified based on the conditions they address e.g. hydration, fine lines, texture and blemishes.
Key products
- Niacinamide serum
- Caffeine serum
- Hyaluronic acid serum
- Rosehip Seed Oil
Available
- Superdrug
- Revolution Beauty
Beauty Pie

photo source: popsugar.com
The Beauty Pie approach is very different from the others mentioned above although the ethos of luxury grade products at an affordable price is the same. Here, you get access to the low prices, only if you sign up for the monthly membership, which costs $10. Beauty pie claims it gets its products from luxury beauty factories and sells them at the cost of production. The range is huge and is categorised based on skin types i.e. dry, oily, combination, sensitive, hyper pigmented and aging skin.
Key products:
- Retinol range
- Daily vitamin c defence serum typical price £80 /members pay £9.55
- Plantastic™ micropeeling super drops
Available:
BEAUTYPIE.COM
CosRx
This is the only Korean beauty brand on the list. However it is the leader in affordable K-Beauty. CosRx focuses on creating effective products with the minimum number of ingredients. The products are targeted to specific skin concerns using well known ingredients in combination with lesser known Korean ingredients like snail mucin or yeast ferment. They are best known for their AHAs and BHA products and have also included Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) which are less irritating.
Key products
- Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser
- Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol
- COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Available
- Amazon,
- ULTA
- Beauty tap
- SokoGlam
At the moment, some of these brands are available in Nigerian skincare stores, here are trusted retailer listed on our directory, BeautyDirectoryNG:
SKINCARE RETAILERS |
---|
SK Beauty |
Hilary Says |
Your Skin's Love |
Cho & Zen Beauty |
Gebeesq |
Allure Beauty Store |
Serenite Beauty |
Youtopia Beauty |
Also, most of the international online stores mentioned are willing to ship internationally at a price. Alternatively, you can buy them through UK2ME or MallofAfrica who buy products from US and UK for delivery in Nigeria.
What do you think will you be trying any of these products? Or are you happy stuck with the ordinary products you know and love.
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