Ingredients by The Ordinary: A New Science-First Skincare Book

Science has always been at the heart of The Ordinary. Since the beginning, we’ve strived to make skincare knowledge more accessible - removing unnecessary jargon, encouraging transparency, and giving people the tools to make informed choices about what they’re putting on their skin.

By Silvia Stanica, Senior Manager, Scientific Communications at DECIEM.

MSc. eHealth and HBSc. Life Science - McMaster University.


This November, we are taking that mission a step further with the release of Ingredients by The Ordinary - a coffee table book that unpacks the science of skincare in a way that’s both approachable and rooted in rigorous science.

This book isn’t a guide to routines, products, or trends. In fact, you won’t see us promoting any The Ordinary products here. Instead, this is a book about the building blocks of skincare itself: the ingredients, the science that supports them, and the bigger conversations shaping how we think about skincare.

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Why a Book About Ingredients?

The world of skincare has never been more crowded. Every day, new launches promise miracles, new “must-have” actives trend on social media, and new myths spread faster than science can keep up.

For many, this creates more questions than answers:

  • Which ingredients really work?

  • How do you know if a claim is valid?

  • Why are some ingredients celebrated while others are vilified?

  • And what does the science actually say?

We believe that everyone deserves access to clear, trustworthy science. Ingredients by The Ordinary was created to be a lasting resource - a beautiful book that can not only sit on your coffee table, but can also serve as a resource to help make sense of what’s inside your products.

Think of it as both a reference manual and a storybook: it grounds you in the fundamentals of how the skin works, while also exploring the histories, controversies, and cultural conversations around the most common skincare ingredients.

What’s Inside

Rather than offering step-by-step routines or recommending products, Ingredients by The Ordinary takes readers on a journey through the world of skincare science. The book moves fluidly between:

Foundations of the skin

Grounding readers in how skin functions and its structure.

The role of ingredients

Exploring the science, stories, and cultural relevance of common (and not so common) actives seen in skincare products.

The bigger picture

Examining how labels, claims, and controversies shape the way skincare is communicated and understood.

By keeping the focus on knowledge, the book encourages readers to form their own perspectives - whether they’re just starting out in skincare or already immersed in the science.

Why This Matters

At its core, Ingredients by The Ordinary is about democratizing knowledge. For too long, the skincare world has relied on mystique - selling products through promises and buzzwords rather than facts. By removing our own products from the conversation, this book stands apart as a reference that’s designed to inform, not persuade.

This project has been many years in the making. From the very beginning, our founders, Nicola and Brandon, believed that everyone deserves access to good quality skincare without an egregious price tag - and that the way to achieve this was by leading with science, transparency, and integrity.

With Ingredients by The Ordinary, we’re putting pen to paper on that vision. The book is more than a reflection of where The Ordinary is today - it’s the culmination of a philosophy that has guided our brand from the start: to challenge the status quo, to open doors to knowledge, and to spotlight ingredients that work without unnecessary complexity.

For us, this is not just a publication - it’s a milestone. It cements our place in the wider dialogue of skincare education, not just as a brand, but as a scientific voice dedicated to transparency and evidence.

Who It’s For

While the book is written to be accessible to everyone, it’s also meant to hold depth for those who want to go further.

  • If you’re new to skincare, it provides clarity in a space that often feels overwhelming.

  • If you’re a professional or student of science, it provides a well-researched, accessible resource.

  • If you’re a curious or casual reader, it’s a beautifully designed coffee table book that invites science into everyday conversation.

No matter where you are on your skincare journey, Ingredients by The Ordinary is meant to empower you - to question, to learn, and to feel more confident in navigating the choices you make for your skin.

When & Where to Find It

Ingredients by The Ordinary is currently available to order online at our website here, and will be available wherever books are sold.

Final Thoughts

At The Ordinary, we’ve always said that science is for everyone. With Ingredients by The Ordinary, we’re putting that belief into a form you can hold, read, share, and return to - whether you’re curious about a single molecule or about the bigger systems that shape the skincare industry.

We hope this book finds a place in your home, sparks conversations, and helps you navigate skincare with more confidence and curiosity. Because when you understand the science, you’re empowered to make choices that truly serve your skin.