The Ordinary’s New Hair Products Are Finally Here, But Are They as Good as the Skin Care?

The Ordinary is a beauty brand that hardly needs an introduction.

But here's a quick explainer on the off chance you're yet to find out what all the fuss is about...

With their single-ingredient, results-driven products and affordable active skincare serums to target specific skin concerns, The Ordinary really changed the beauty game.

Their roster of cult The Ordinary products have skyrocketed in popularity over the years, and are loved by beauty editors and enthusiasts all over the world.

Case in point: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 are two of our most popular serums on Adore Beauty.

Watch the below YouTube video on how to best layer The Ordinary skincare products.

Aside from the original The Ordinary hair serum, the brand was primarily known for skin care... until now.

Yes, you heard correctly.

You can now buy hair care from The Ordinary, starting from less than $13!

The Ordinary's new shampoo, conditioner and scalp serum promise to bring you the same effective, no frills formulas and very lovely price tags.

But is The Ordinary hair care as good as the brand's skincare products?

Keep scrolling for my The Ordinary hair review.

What Is The Ordinary Hair Care?

The Ordinary's hair range is built on the idea that scalp care is skin care.

Kind of like how skin experts say 'your face stops at your décolletage', a lot of hair experts and trichologists (hair doctors) agree the skin our on scalp needs attention, too.

On TikTok, people were doing this by applying The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid serum to their hair and scalp to prevent split ends.

Little did they know the brand already had hair care in the works!

The Ordinary's hair care offering now includes:

• The Ordinary shampoo - A highly effective, low-foaming shampoo and body wash to remove buildup from the hair, skin and scalp.

• The Ordinary conditioner - A simple, lightweight conditioning formula that softens, smooths, and doesn’t weigh hair down.

• The Ordinary hair serum for scalp - A milky serum that hydrates the scalp and supports the skin’s natural barrier.

The Ordinary Hair Review.

For those who've been Googling 'hair care The Ordinary' will be stoked to know it's now available at Adore! Woohoo!

I tried The Ordinary shampoo and conditioner, and the hair serum to see if they clarified, smoothed and softened my hair as promised. 

Let's break down all the details!

1. The Ordinary Shampoo Review.

What: The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair - 240ml

• A 2-in-1 hair and body cleanser anyone can use (including the low maintenance men in your life!).

• The key ingredient SLES-2 is a mild sulphate that removes dirt and impurities from the skin by dissolving the barrier between dirt, oil and water.

• A gentle, low-foaming products suitable for all hair and skin types.

• Vegan and cruelty-free, and free from alcohol, silicone and mineral oil. 

• This shampoo is colour-safe, so it won't strip or alter your hair colour.

Best for:

If you want a light, fragrance-free shampoo, need a budget-friendly first shampoo to slot into your routine, or have been trying to convince a loved one to give up their old spice 3-in-1 supermarket shower product!

OK, but what is it really like?

I used this as both a body cleanser and shampoo as suggested, and let me deliver the bad news first. 

Although it made my skin smell super clean, I didn't love The Ordinary shampoo as a body wash because it didn't give me the lather I need to cover my whole body.

The texture is light, clear and completely unscented, and the lack of lather while using it on my thick, coarse hair in the shower made me think it would be a flop.

My hair didn't feel different instantly, so I was worried it would look dirty and greasy once I dried it. Nope!

As soon as I blow dried it, my hair looked squeaky clean.

This was my hair the second day after I styled it. It looked smooth and sat just as nicely as it usually does.

Did The Ordinary shampoo leave my hair super silky and smelling of flowers like some of my exxy products?

No, but at $12.80 for 240ml, I didn't expect it to!

I think The Ordinary shampoo is perfect for anyone who wants an affordable shampoo that gets the job done and won't irritate your scalp.

Plus, using a shampoo like this one as your first shampoo is a great way to make more expensive shampoos go further.

2. The Ordinary Conditioner Review.

What: The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner - 240ml

• A lightweight, silicone-free conditioner that promises to hydrate and smooth hair without weighing it down.

• Formulated with the hero ingredient Behentrimonium Chloride, a hair-conditioning ingredient at low potency.

• The vegan and cruelty-free formula is free from alcohol, oil, silicone, nuts and gluten.

• Helps to hydrate and revitalise the look of hair, but without the bulky ingredients ordinarily found in conditioners.

Best for:

Anyone who wants a lightweight yet hydrating conditioner that moisturises without weighing the hair down.

This would be especially good for people with fine hair, or those looking for an affordable conditioner.

OK, but what is it really like?

Again, I didn't think I was going to see a difference in my hair with this no frills conditioner.

But the joke was on me because while I usually feel indifferent about conditioners, this is The ordinary product that impressed me most.

After I finished blow-drying my hair, I saw and felt the subtle but visible difference. 

As promised, my hair was slightly smoother and softer at the ends, and light, not weighed down.

Even my mid-lengths at the back where I usually get some frizz were smoothed out after styling.

I’m not used to lightweight conditioners and I usually opt for heavier, nourishing conditioners and masks to keep my dry ends happy and soft.

But I enjoyed the silky texture of this conditioner. Overall, pleasantly surprised!

3. The Ordinary Hair Serum Review.

What: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp

OK, now for The Ordinary hair serum review…

• This hair serum or scalp treatment is a milky serum that promises to hydrate the scalp and support the skin’s barrier for healthy-looking hair.

• Provides long-lasting scalp hydration with hyaluronic acid and squalane, which mimic the scalp’s own natural moisturising factors.

• Replicates the same benefits as the popular The Ordinary moisturiser, but with added benefits designed specifically for your scalp.

• Suitable for all hair textures and types, and alcohol, oil, silicone, nut and gluten-free.

Best for:

Those who are prone to dry scalps, flaking (especially in winter!), or experience scalp irritation. 

OK, but what is it really like?

I have a dry scalp and can sometimes experience irritation, so I was excited to try this product. 

I tried the serum at bed time as the brand recommends, and made sure to really massage the light, milky serum texture into my scalp.

The tapered pipette also makes it easy to get the product onto your scalp, and I didn't get any tingling or product residue.

Although I didn't notice a huge difference to my scalp the next morning, it definitely didn't feel dry so I'm keen to see how I go with consistent use.

This scalp serum is a great product to add into your hair routine for your scalp health, and even better that it won't cost you an arm and a leg!

Final Verdict...

The list of who The Ordinary hair products would be great for is a long one:

Those with sensitive scalps and/or fine, flat hair.

Teens (or parents of teens) who want an effective, wallet-friendly products that still look cool in the shower.

Low maintenance people. Lovers of The Ordinary's paired back approach to beauty.

Or anyone keen on a 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash that won't make beauty editors cry.

Personally, I love The Ordinary shampoo and conditioner as a daily-use shampoo and conditioner duo to slot into your routine.

I also like to use in tandem with your other expensive products, because we can't all be bougie all the time.

Overall, The Ordinary hair care gets the effective and budget-friendly tick from me!

Want to know more about The Ordinary? Check out these articles below:

• Dupes for The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% & The Ordinary 30% AHA + 2% BHA Peeling Solution

• Acne & Oily Skin? The Best Skincare Routine from The Ordinary

• How Does The Ordinary Stay So Affordable?