Ordinary Hair Care Products

People with normal hair won the easy-to-care-for-hair lottery, but even this strand type requires a light hair care routine that includes heat protectants and nutrient-rich finishing sprays. The Ordinary’s new line, including the sulphate 4% shampoo and Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, is a testament to its skin-first philosophy.

TikTok users have already been using the brand’s hyaluronic acid serum as a hair treatment—but its new product launch goes even further with a scalp treatment and conditioner.

Shampoo

Shampooing is the first step in a basic hair routine and it helps to remove dirt, oil, sebum and other environmental debris. It can also help to prevent the build-up of hair product residues on the scalp and in the strands.

Most shampoos contain a mixture of surfactants – detergents that help to clean hair and scalp. The detergents chosen for shampooing often have amphiphilic properties (meaning they have both a lipophilic end, which is attracted to oils, and a hydrophilic end, which is attracted to water) that enable them to bind to sebum and oily dirt whilst still being gentle on the hair and skin.

Surfactants are largely chosen for their mildness but they can also be effective at removing sebum, dirt and other oils. Aside from the detergents, a typical shampoo will contain a blend of conditioning ingredients such as silicones and fatty alcohols. These will help to improve hair manageability, prevent tangling and fly-away and to control static electricity.

As well as the shampoo, The Ordinary’s haircare range includes a conditioner, a hydrating scalp serum and a peptide for hair density. Cassandra King, NIOD’s global brand and marketing ordinary hair care manager, says: “The Ordinary has always taken an evidence-based approach to skincare and this extends to the haircare line too. The formulas are minimalistic and feature a handful of hero ingredients that follow facts, not trends.” The Sulphate Cleanser For Body & Hair, for example, features sulphates, an ingredient sometimes demonised by the clean beauty movement but Deciem, the parent company behind The Ordinary, has chosen to use a low concentration of sodium laureth sulfate (known as SLES-2), which they claim is gentle enough not to disrupt the skin barrier or irritate the eyes.

Conditioner

A staple of every hair-care routine, conditioner adds moisture back into the strands after some of it is stripped by shampoo. It’s generally applied after cleansing and then rinsed out. Some people may want to use a deep conditioner or leave-in hair mask to further boost hydration.

Often formulated with emollients, silicones and oils, hair conditioner helps smooth the strands to make them easier to manage, particularly for those with thick or coarse hair. Often containing essential fatty acids (EFAs) to mimic the scalp’s natural oil production, it also contains humectants, which help retain moisture. Other ingredients include preservatives to extend shelf life, and reconstructors to strengthen the strands.

The Ordinary, the skincare brand that revolutionised an ingredients-first approach to beauty, has expanded its range into hair care with a shampoo and conditioner. The Sulphate Cleanser for Body & Hair and Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner are both low-foaming formulas that help remove build-up, while keeping hair lightweight. The former has a small amount of sodium laureth sulfate, a controversial ingredient that’s been demonised by the clean beauty movement. But Deciem’s parent company says that the low concentration won’t cause irritation or disrupt the skin barrier.

Cassandra used the duo for a month and noticed that it left her hair soft and silky without weighing it down. She even tried mixing it with a drop of The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid serum to stimulate her scalp, and found that it was great for her dry curly hair.

Scalp Serum

A scalp serum is a targeted treatment that hone’s in on your specific hair care concerns. Just like a serum for your skin, a scalp serum can be applied to both wet or dry hair and absorbs deeply into the roots without leaving a heavy residue on the strands. A few drops of a scalp serum can be used daily to soothe and stimulate your hair follicles for stronger, healthier-looking hair.

Whether you’re dealing with an oily or flaky scalp, this soothing serum from dpHUE (a Shop TODAY reader fave) will give your locks the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong. This formula, which contains peppermint, lavender and rosemary oil, helps to reduce dandruff and promote growth while providing a deep boost of moisture.

Another cult favourite is this multi-peptide hair serum from The Ordinary – the brand that revolutionised an ingredients-first approach to skincare. This serum features a blend of peptides and vitamins that nourish the scalp, help to reduce thinning and encourage new hair growth over time.

The serum should be massaged into the scalp every morning and night for maximum benefits. If you have to wash your hair, we recommend following the treatment with a detox shampoo and conditioner for even better results.

Mask

Hair masks are like the in-salon equivalent of a scalp treatment, working to deeply nourish and revive strands back to health. They’re formulated with face exfoliator tool super-nourishing oils and butters, often incorporating babassu oil, to soften and tame frizz for a sleek finish.

Whether your hair is fine, thick, or curly, it’s susceptible to damage from the sun, harsh weather and heat styling, so regular use of a hair mask is an important addition to any routine. Whether you choose to hydrate, strengthen, de-frizz or tame your locks, you’ll see an improvement in the overall health of your hair after just one treatment.

The key is to find the right mask for your needs. For instance, if your hair is fine or thin, you’ll want to avoid a formula that’s too heavy and dense. Look for lightweight hydrators such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, which will hydrate without leaving strands feeling greasy or heavy.

To get the most out of your mask, apply it to wet hair after shampooing and conditioning. Once applied, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave it to work its magic for 20-30 minutes. Once the time is up, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm to cool water and follow your routine as normal.