Taking care of your body with The Ordinary skincare

Written by Savings Expert: Ryan O’Connell
Published on 06th March 2025

If you have an interest in beauty and have spent even a minute of your time scrolling through TikTok videos, Instagram reels or on YouTube, you have almost certainly come across some content detailing the importance of taking care of your skin. With so much more emphasis being out on skincare these days, it is surprising that so little of it is emphasising the importance of taking care of the skin on our body. Most of the content, from videos to articles to reviews, detail how to tackle all of the issues you may have with the skin on your face, while body care seems to be an afterthought for most.

However, the same issues we want to target on our face, such as acne, dryness and hyperpigmentation, can also be big issues for our bodies. Thankfully there are a lot of incredible skincare products out there curated specifically for the skin below our neck to help you make sure the skin all over your body is looking and feeling its best. One of the world’s top skincare brands, The Ordinary, is among the brands taking aim at those skincare issues our bodies face with their budget-friendly, simple and effective body care range. So if you’re looking for perfect products for body care, look no further.

Skin Differences: Face vs Body

To make sure you take care of the skin on your body properly, it is important to know the differences between the skin on your face and on your body. These key differences will inform the differences in your skincare plan for your body. The main differences between the two skin types is this:

• Thickness of the skin: Body skin is thicker and less delicate than facial skin, with more fat layers and larger pores, making it more resilient and less prone to sensitivity and environmental damage.

• Cell Turnover Rate: Facial skin has a faster cell turnover rate compared to body skin, promoting quicker regeneration. In contrast, body skin renews more slowly, often requiring extra exfoliation to maintain smoothness.

• Skin dryness: Facial skin is less prone to dryness due to more oil-producing sebaceous glands, while body skin, with fewer sebaceous glands, is more likely to experience dryness and require extra moisturisation.

To tackle the main issues your body skin will face, The Ordinary has focused on a simple and effective range that prioritises the key ingredients needed to nourish and refresh your skin.

The Ordinary niacinamide 5% face and body emulsion

Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient for body skincare. Within the skin, it transforms into NADH or NADPH, essential molecules that support key functions like ceramide production and structural integrity.

It helps even skin tone, reduces the appearance of dark spots, and strengthens the skin's natural barrier. By boosting ceramide production, Niacinamide enhances moisture retention, leaving the skin hydrated, smoother, and more resilient, making it essential for maintaining healthy body skin.

The Ordinary niacinamide 5% face and body emulsion is multi-functional and is designed for both the face and the body. Designed for all skin tones, this formula addresses dark spots on the face, neck, chest, and arms—areas often affected by uneven tone—promoting a more consistent complexion across face and body. This versatile formula comes in a sleek bottle with a convenient pump applicator, ensuring easy, mess-free application across all skin areas. With a lightweight, emulsion-like consistency similar to a serum, it absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth without heaviness.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + Inulin Body Lotion

Amino acids and insulin play vital roles in maintaining healthy body skin. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are essential for repairing and strengthening the skin’s structure. They support collagen and elastin production, crucial for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Additionally, amino acids help retain moisture, enhancing hydration and smoothness.

Insulin plays a crucial role in skin health by regulating glucose levels, ensuring cells have the energy needed for repair and renewal. Proper insulin function supports circulation, helping to deliver vital nutrients to the skin. However, imbalanced insulin can lead to skin concerns such as dryness or breakouts, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition and care.

The Natural Moisturising Factors + Inulin Body Lotion is a versatile, lightweight moisturiser designed for all skin types, delivering lasting hydration and care. Ideal for daily use, it helps maintain moisture levels even after washing, leaving skin soft, smooth, and replenished. The lotion's non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, providing instant hydration that lasts all day while fortifying the skin's natural barrier after just one use.

This formula is enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like urea, PCA, and amino acids—components of Natural Moisturising Factors. These humectants draw in moisture and lock it into the skin, ensuring a well-hydrated and healthy-looking complexion.

The Ordinary salicylic acid 0.5% body serum

When it comes to addressing rough, uneven, or blemish-prone areas, salicylic acid is a ultimate ingredient you need to incorporate into your body skincare regime. As a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it penetrates deeply into pores, dissolving excess oil and dead skin cells, which helps to prevent and treat body acne.

Its gentle exfoliating properties smooth out rough patches, such as those caused by keratosis pilaris, and improve overall skin texture. Salicylic acid also supports cell turnover, revealing fresher, healthier skin while unclogging pores. Suitable for a variety of skin types, it works especially well on oily or combination skin, promoting a clearer and more refined appearance.

Designed for blemish-prone skin, The Ordinary salicylic acid 0.5% body serum features that all important ingredient. The formula is specifically crafted to provide chemical exfoliation, helping to improve texture and clarity. The benefits of this serum includes clearing body blemishes, exfoliate the skin to unblock pores and reduce skin redness. As with any exfoliating product, it's advisable to do a simple patch-test of the serum on a small area before use and gradually incorporate it into your skincare routine for optimal results and to ensure it isn’t too harsh on your skin.

Our Final Thoughts

The Ordinary bodycare range combines science-backed ingredients with simplicity, offering effective solutions for various skin concerns. Affordable and suitable for all skin types, it’s a straightforward approach to achieving healthy, radiant skin. If you’re aiming to curate yourself a skincare regime for your body, The Ordinary makes this process simple.