Why doesn't The Ordinary ever go on sale? Well, actually – it does during a month-long sale called “Slowvember.” As opposed to Black Friday, The Ordinary makes products 23% off from November 1st until December 6th in addition to the following discounts:
- Free shipping for orders over $25
- Upon purchasing a “collection,” you can also get an extra 10% off + the Slovember 23% off.
We'll cover these collections, the best products to look for, and how to shop Slowvember. Plus, we'll cover why The Ordinary goes against the grain and closes on Black Friday!
Let's start with the collections:
Skincare collections can take the guesswork out, and oftentimes, at a discounted rate! “Skincare collection takes the guesswork out by offering every essential product you need for a solid and targeted skincare routine. At the very least, skincare collections should include a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. That way, you don’t have to figure out which products complement each other.
While other brands may cajole customers to buy more and more, The Ordinary avoids overwhelming their customers by narrowing down options and providing them with a “collection section.” Likewise, customers can avoid trial and error and purchase a straightforward solution.
For instance, the following collections target specific skincare concerns.
Smooth Skin/Texture Collection
45.00 USD to 34.64 USD
Includes:
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser 150ml
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 240ml
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan 100ml
The Barrier Support Collection
61.90 USD to 47.65 USD
Includes:
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser 150ml
Soothing + Barrier Support Serum 30ml
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides 100ml
25.10 USD to 19.32 USD
Includes:
The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (15ml)
The Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (15ml)
The Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (15ml)
35.80 USD to 27.57 USD
Includes:
Multi-Peptide Hair Density Serum 60ml
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 240ml
What are some of the single best products?
In its entirety, The Ordinary is an affordable and fiscally friendly brand. But, of course, some products stand out as superstars. Here are a few of Cassandra's favorites to look for during Slovember’s 23% sale!
6.00 USD to 4.62 USD
Best serum from The Ordinary for oiliness and redness
11.50 USD to 8.85 USD
Best serum from The Ordinary for redness, irritation, reducing sensitivity, and boosting the skin barrier with antioxidants
6.60 USD to 5.08 USD
Best powder from The Ordinary for longevity of use, boosting your sunscreen with antioxidants, glow, and evening skin tone.
Pink Soothing Barrier Serum With B12
17.00 USD to 13.09 USD
Best serum from The Ordinary for rebuilding the skin barrier over time, moisturization, and calming the skin.
Glycolic Acid Toning Solution 7% - The Ordinary Toner For Skin and Scalp
8.70 USD to6.70 USD
Deep exfoliation suitable for drier skin. Glycolic acid is an AHA, meaning it's water soluble and doesn't necessarily dissolve oil. So, compared to salicylic acid, a BHA, it is less likely to dry out the skin.
Assists with stubborn hyperpigmentation, dullness, and breakout prevention.
Anhydrous Salicylic Acid Solution
7.50 USD to 5.77 USD
Very suitable for dry skin and acne
12.20 USD to 9.39 USD
Best moisturizer from The Ordinary for rosacea, redness, skin barrier boosting, acne prevention and mild treatment
12.50 USD to 9.62 USD
Best gentle cleanser from The Ordinary for boosting the skin barrier
Granactiv Retinoid 2% Emulsion
12.10 USD to 9.32 USD
Promotes graceful aging, acne prevention, and glow
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptide 1% Serum
32.00 USD to 24.64 USD
Offers hydration, bouncy skin, and evens skin tone
100% Fermented Rose Hip Seed Oil (New!)
17.00 USD to 13.09 USD
Made with sensitive and dry skin in mind, “this rosehip seed oil has been fermented with the yeast strain starmerella bombicola, for enhanced soothing benefits.” The fermentation process enhances mature aging and deeply calms the skin.
How do I shop the Slowvember sale?
From a marketing perspective, the Black Friday Sales frenzy is thematically based on the fear of scarcity, and of course, this can lead to poor decision-making, waste, and regret. All the while, brands continue to profit from this frenzy.
But, that's why the Black Friday “Slovember” sale encourages mindful shopping. But regardless of whether you choose The Ordinary's Slovember sale, here are 10 steps for navigating skincare sales.
Cleanse with Intention: Filter out all of the promotional marketing lingo and make a clear and essential shopping list.
Unclog Your Cart: Items left in your e-cart can turn into email reminders and impulse buy. So, if needed, unclog your cart.
Check the Tone: If there’s an asterisk, there’s more to know. Always check the fine print about refunds, conditions, and quantities.
Evaluate the Essentials: Not everything on sale is the best deal. Continue to assess the sensibility of your potential purchase.
Apply Discretion: Remember that if it wasn’t suitable for you at full price, it may not be suitable when discounted.
Unmask the price: Remember that prices can fluctuate during the shopping season so track them intentionally.
Future-proof It: You’re allowed to change your mind. Always read the return policy first.
Consider Value: Along with price savings, the best purchase is one that will be loved and used.
Keep an eye on the total: extra costs and fees can add up. Always double-check the numbers.
Overnight not overspend: Avoid regret with a simple rule: When in doubt, sleep on it.
Why does The Ordinary close its website during Black Friday?
The Ordinary doesn't want customers to feel rushed or pressured. So, they close their website as a message of anti-consumerism. Anti-consumerism stands for environmental sustainability, and it also calls out needless decadence. Moreover, it pushes against purchases based on status and hoarding materials.
The Ordinary conveys that like skincare, shopping should be slow and intentional. So, The Ordinary’s month-long 23% off discount hopes to lead consumers to shop wisely and purposefully, all month long. So, remember to walk. Don't run.