Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Authenticating The Ordinary Skincare Products

"With an abundance of counterfeit cosmetics circulating in today's market, it's essential to be vigilant to avoid wasting your money on fake products. In this guide, we will teach you how to authenticate The Ordinary products with absolute precision, ensuring you don't fall prey to inferior imitations."

Administrator

31 August, 2024

Recently, there have been numerous cases of customers purchasing The Ordinary products online only to find out that they have been using counterfeit goods. While this issue is not new, knowing how to distinguish between authentic and fake products early on is crucial to avoid unwanted consequences. Let’s delve into this matter and provide some clarity.

One of the most talked-about incidents on social media involved a customer who, while hunting for sales, purchased The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum for VND 145,000 from a well-known cross-border cosmetics shop. Upon receiving the package and opening the box, she immediately noticed Vietnamese words “Hộp 3.4x 3.4 x 11.5 cm” printed on the packaging of this Korean beauty product.

The Vietnamese text discovered by the customer on the product’s packaging.

This incident sparked an immediate response from netizens, who identified the product as a counterfeit. Subsequently, other users inspected their own The Ordinary boxes and found similar discrepancies.

The Ordinary products are typically priced between VND 275,000 and 320,000. Some cross-border cosmetics shops may offer slightly lower prices. However, it’s important to be cautious as certain sellers inflate their prices to establish credibility for their products. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase from reputable and well-reviewed sources to ensure authenticity.

To make matters worse, counterfeit products are now incredibly sophisticated, with some being indistinguishable from the genuine article to the naked eye.

To help our customers feel more confident in their purchases, Bach Hoa XANH would like to offer additional tips on how to discern between authentic and counterfeit The Ordinary products:

Exterior Box Characteristics

Genuine Product: The exterior box has a cream-colored background with clear and crisp lettering. The box provides comprehensive information, including the company name, country of origin, and usage instructions.

Counterfeit Product: The box has a pure white background with bold but slightly blurry lettering. It lacks crucial information such as address, country of origin, ingredients, and usage instructions.

Notably, the barcode at the bottom of the box differs between authentic and counterfeit products. The counterfeit product will have a different font and a lighter, less distinct ink color.

Note: Always compare the barcode on the box with the one on the product inside to ensure they match. This precaution will help you avoid situations where the outer box is genuine, but the product inside is a counterfeit.

The counterfeit product lacks address information. Source: Youtube

Usage instructions are missing from the counterfeit product. Source: Youtube

Comparing the barcodes on the boxes. Source: Youtube

Ridges on the Cap

Genuine Product: The cap features distinct ridges, divided into sections with multiple ridges and smooth areas. The color is a bright white.

Counterfeit Product: The ridges on the cap are faint and unclear. The ridge sections appear dull and yellowish.

Additionally, the pump on The Ordinary products is sometimes crooked and not perfectly aligned, but this is not a definitive indicator of authenticity.

The genuine product has distinct ridges with a bright white color.

Font on the Label

Genuine Product: The font is large and easy to read.

Counterfeit Product: The font is small, condensed, and challenging to read.

The genuine product has a larger and more legible font.

Reference:

Back of the Product

Genuine Product: The “ingredient list” is positioned at the top and provides a detailed breakdown of the ingredients in a lengthy description. The “name plate” with volume and other information is located below the “ingredient list.”

Counterfeit Product: The “name plate” is placed above the “ingredient list.” The “ingredient list” is brief, with small, hard-to-read lettering.

The back of the genuine product (left) and the counterfeit product (right) show significant differences.

Grooves Inside the Cap

Genuine Product: The grooves inside the cap are small and evenly distributed around the perimeter.

Counterfeit Product: The grooves are larger and spaced further apart.

The genuine product has smaller and evenly spaced grooves inside the cap.

Differences in Serum Consistency

The counterfeit product (right) has a lower serum level than the genuine product (left). Source: Youtube

Regarding the serum’s consistency and scent:

Genuine Product: It has a slight chemical scent but no noticeable fragrance. The serum is thick, sticky, and doesn’t run.

Counterfeit Product: The scent is similar, without any noticeable fragrance. However, the serum shows signs of being diluted, appearing watery and translucent rather than thick.

The serum of the genuine product is thick, sticky, and doesn’t run. Source: Youtube

We hope this information helps you identify authentic The Ordinary products and makes informed choices to protect your health and skincare routine.

Frequently asked questions

The Ordinary is a popular skincare brand that has gained a lot of attention for its effective and affordable products. However, due to its popularity, counterfeit products have also surfaced in the market. Using counterfeit skincare products can be dangerous as they may contain harmful ingredients or be ineffective. Therefore, it is important to authenticate The Ordinary skincare products to ensure their safety and efficacy.

There are several ways to spot fake The Ordinary products. First, check the packaging for any typos or errors in the brand name, product name, or ingredient list. Fake products often have misspellings or incorrect grammar. Second, look for the batch code and expiration date on the product. Genuine The Ordinary products will have a batch code that can be verified on the brand’s website, and an expiration date that is typically 30 months after the manufacturing date. Third, pay attention to the price. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fake products are often sold at a discounted price to attract buyers.

Using fake skincare products can have several negative consequences. First and foremost, they can be dangerous to your health. Counterfeit products may contain harmful ingredients that can cause skin irritation, allergies, or even more serious health issues. Additionally, fake products are often ineffective and will not deliver the promised results. This can be disappointing and a waste of money. Finally, by purchasing fake products, you are supporting illegal activities and unethical practices, including the funding of criminal organizations.

To ensure you’re buying authentic The Ordinary products, it’s recommended to purchase directly from the brand’s website or authorized retailers. Authorized retailers for The Ordinary include well-known online retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Beautylish. You can also find a list of authorized retailers on the brand’s website. If you’re purchasing from a third-party website or seller, be sure to check their feedback and reviews to ensure they are reputable. It’s also a good idea to verify the product’s authenticity by checking the batch code on The Ordinary’s website.

If you suspect that you’ve purchased a fake The Ordinary product, it’s important to take action. First, stop using the product immediately to avoid any potential health risks. Second, contact the seller and request a refund. Provide them with details of your purchase and explain why you believe the product is fake. If the seller refuses to cooperate, you can file a dispute with your payment provider or credit card company. Finally, report the incident to The Ordinary through their website. They may ask for details of your purchase and the suspected counterfeit product to help them investigate and prevent future occurrences.