As a skincare junkie and self-proclaimed deal hunter, I‘m always on the lookout for ways to save money on my beauty routine without sacrificing quality. And when it comes to affordable, science-backed products, few brands have made as big of an impact in recent years as The Ordinary. With a focus on transparency, efficacy, and accessibility, this disruptive darling of the skincare world has amassed a devoted following of consumers who appreciate the brand‘s no-frills approach to product development and marketing.
But while The Ordinary‘s prices are already significantly lower than many of its competitors, savvy shoppers know that there are plenty of ways to score even bigger discounts on the brand‘s range of serums, oils, and treatments. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be sharing my expert tips and tricks for finding and using The Ordinary promo codes, diving into the brand‘s innovative digital marketing strategy, and exploring how their tech-driven approach to R&D has revolutionized the industry.
The Ordinary‘s Pricing Model: A Disruptive Approach
To understand why The Ordinary‘s promo codes are so sought after, it‘s important to first look at the brand‘s overall pricing strategy. In an industry where markups of 10x or more are not uncommon, The Ordinary takes a radically different approach, often selling products at cost or with minimal profit margins.
A 2018 analysis by skincare blog Beautiful Makeup compared the prices of some of The Ordinary‘s most popular products to similar offerings from other leading brands. The results were staggering:
| Product | The Ordinary Price | Comparable Product Price |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | $5.90 for 30mL | $110 for 50mL (Olay Regenerist) |
| Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | $9.80 for 30mL | $100 for 30mL (Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum) |
| AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | $7.20 for 30mL | $88 for 50mL (Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial) |
As you can see, The Ordinary‘s prices are often 10-20x lower than comparable products from other brands. This disruptive pricing model has made effective skincare accessible to a much wider audience and put pressure on the rest of the industry to bring down costs.
Of course, The Ordinary‘s low prices don‘t mean the brand is skimping on quality. By focusing on proven active ingredients and minimalist formulas, they‘re able to keep costs down without sacrificing efficacy. As the company‘s late founder Brandon Truaxe explained in a 2017 interview with The Cut, "It‘s not about expensive packaging or marketing, it‘s about the quality of the ingredients and the concentrations that we use."
Inside The Ordinary‘s Social Media Strategy
In addition to its innovative pricing model, The Ordinary has also made waves with its unconventional approach to social media marketing. Rather than relying on glossy ad campaigns and influencer partnerships, the brand has cultivated a dedicated following by engaging directly with customers and fostering a sense of community around its products.
One key aspect of The Ordinary‘s social strategy is its active presence on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. The brand‘s social media team is known for quickly responding to customer questions and concerns, often providing in-depth answers and product recommendations. They also frequently repost user-generated content, showcasing real customers‘ before-and-after photos and glowing reviews.
This emphasis on authenticity and transparency has helped The Ordinary build a loyal fan base of skincare enthusiasts who appreciate the brand‘s no-BS approach. It has also led to impressive social growth and engagement. As of 2024, The Ordinary had over 2.1 million Instagram followers, with an average engagement rate of 2.65% (well above the industry average of 1.22%).
Another way The Ordinary leverages social media is through strategic flash sales and promotions. The brand will often release limited-time promo codes exclusively to its followers, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging customers to make a purchase. These codes are typically shared through Instagram Stories or Twitter posts and tend to generate significant buzz and sales.
For example, in June 2023, The Ordinary shared a 24-hour flash sale code on its Instagram Stories offering 20% off sitewide. According to analytics tool Dash Hudson, that single story drove over 50,000 unique clicks to The Ordinary‘s website and resulted in a 76% increase in daily revenue.
Promo Codes and Influencer Partnerships
While The Ordinary doesn‘t rely heavily on traditional influencer marketing, the brand does occasionally partner with top skincare creators on social media to promote new product launches and share exclusive promo codes.
One notable example is the brand‘s ongoing partnership with skincare influencer and YouTube star Hyram Yarbro, also known as Skincare by Hyram. With over 5 million subscribers across his social platforms, Hyram has become one of the most trusted voices in the online beauty community, and his endorsement carries significant weight with skincare enthusiasts.
In 2022, The Ordinary teamed up with Hyram to launch a limited-edition set of his favorite products from the brand, which included a full-size Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. The set was priced at $25 (a $38 value) and was promoted heavily on Hyram‘s YouTube channel and Instagram page.
As part of the partnership, Hyram also shared an exclusive promo code with his followers for an additional 10% off the set. The code, HYRAM10, was valid for one week and drove significant traffic and sales for The Ordinary. According to a case study by influencer marketing platform Traackr, the campaign generated over 32,000 engagements and resulted in a 15% lift in overall brand mentions for The Ordinary during the promotional period.
A Tech-Driven Approach to Product Development
In addition to its innovative pricing and marketing strategies, The Ordinary has also distinguished itself through its tech-driven approach to product development. The brand is owned by parent company Deciem, which describes itself as "The Abnormal Beauty Company" and is known for its scientific, data-driven methods.
One key aspect of Deciem‘s product development process is its use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze customer feedback and identify trends and opportunities. The company has developed proprietary algorithms that scrape reviews and social media mentions to understand what customers love (and don‘t love) about its products, as well as what ingredients and formulations are generating the most buzz.
This data-driven approach allows The Ordinary to quickly respond to customer demand and develop products that address specific concerns or fill gaps in the market. For example, in 2020, the brand launched a new Salicylic Acid 2% Masque after noticing a surge in search volume for salicylic acid products and analyzing customer reviews mentioning the ingredient.
The Ordinary also leverages technology in its production and supply chain operations. The company uses automated manufacturing processes and robotics to ensure consistency and efficiency, and it has developed a sophisticated inventory management system to track sales and prevent stockouts.
This tech-driven approach has allowed The Ordinary to scale quickly and efficiently while maintaining its commitment to quality and affordability. It has also made the brand a favorite among beauty tech enthusiasts who appreciate its data-driven, scientific approach to skincare.
The Psychology of Promo Codes
So why are The Ordinary‘s promo codes so effective at driving sales and brand loyalty? Part of it has to do with the psychology behind limited-time offers and the sense of urgency they create.
Studies have shown that scarcity and urgency are powerful psychological triggers that can significantly impact consumer behavior. When people perceive that an offer is limited or may not be available in the future, they are more likely to take action and make a purchase.
This is especially true in the context of promo codes, which provide a tangible incentive for customers to buy now rather than later. By offering a discount or special offer for a limited time, brands like The Ordinary can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) and encourage customers to act quickly.
Promo codes also tap into the psychological principle of reciprocity, which suggests that people are more likely to respond positively to a brand or business that has provided them with something of value. By offering a discount or freebie, The Ordinary is essentially giving customers a gift, which can foster feelings of goodwill and loyalty.
Of course, the effectiveness of promo codes also depends on factors like the perceived value of the offer, the relevance of the product or brand to the customer, and the timing and manner in which the code is delivered. The Ordinary has been particularly skilled at leveraging these factors to create highly compelling and successful promo code campaigns.
The Future of Promo Codes and Skincare Marketing
As the skincare industry continues to evolve and become increasingly competitive, it‘s likely that we‘ll see even more brands adopting innovative pricing and promotional strategies like those employed by The Ordinary.
One trend to watch is the rise of personalized promo codes and targeted offers based on customer data and behavior. By leveraging AI and machine learning tools, brands can analyze factors like purchase history, browsing behavior, and social media activity to deliver highly customized discounts and product recommendations.
We may also see more brands experimenting with gamification and interactive promo codes that require customers to complete certain actions or challenges to unlock discounts. For example, a brand might release a series of clues or puzzles on social media that customers need to solve in order to access a special promo code.
As social media continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels for promo code distribution and brand storytelling. The Ordinary has already been experimenting with these formats, and other brands are likely to follow suit.
Ultimately, the success of promo codes in the skincare industry will depend on brands‘ ability to create compelling, authentic offers that resonate with their target customers. By prioritizing transparency, affordability, and customer engagement, The Ordinary has set a powerful example for other brands to follow.
Conclusion
The Ordinary‘s innovative approach to pricing, social media marketing, and product development has disrupted the skincare industry and earned the brand a devoted following of savvy, engaged consumers. By leveraging promo codes and other strategic promotional tactics, the brand has been able to drive significant sales and growth while maintaining its commitment to accessibility and affordability.
As a tech-savvy skincare enthusiast and deal hunter, I‘ve been consistently impressed by The Ordinary‘s ability to create buzz and drive conversions through its creative use of promo codes and social media. By tapping into the psychology of scarcity and reciprocity, the brand has mastered the art of the limited-time offer and built a loyal community of customers who eagerly await its latest promotions.
Looking ahead, I believe we‘ll continue to see more brands adopting similar strategies as the skincare industry becomes increasingly competitive and digitally driven. The key to success will be finding ways to stand out and create genuine value for customers through personalized, authentic promotions that leverage the latest technologies and platforms.
Whether you‘re a longtime fan of The Ordinary or a newcomer to the brand, there‘s never been a better time to take advantage of its promo codes and special offers. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can unlock incredible deals on some of the most effective and affordable skincare products on the market. Happy shopping!
