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'I Tried The Ordinary’s Multi-peptide Serum for Hair Density, to See If It Could Thicken My Hairline'

In the five short years since its launch, beauty brand The Ordinary’s no-frills, solution-based philosophy has undoubtedly changed the way a lot of us approach skincare (working out your own specific blend of serums, acids and hydrators, rather than using an all-in-one cream and hoping for the best, anyone?)

What is The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density?

Naturally, since re-writing the AM and PM regimes of thousands of people, the brains behind the company have widened their remit into haircare. Much as with their complexion-focused products, the promise is simple: inexpensive, ingredient-led buys that deliver on results, without faff.

One product that caught my eye is the Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density. This is described as 'a concentrated serum for hair that looks thicker, denser, fuller, and healthier.' As to its efficacy, a stream of positive reviews testify to its ability to boost the appearance of your strands, with reports of thicker looking and feeling locks, after weeks of daily use.

So what ingredients are behind these big promises? The website highlights Redensyl, peptides and caffeine as the standouts in the formulation. So, WH asked dermatologist and hair specialist, Dr. Sharon Wong (@drsharonwong) to break precisely…

We Tried Every Product From The Ordinary — Here’s What We Thought

First up, we talk consistency — because even though the products are named simply enough for their star ingredients, it can feel like you need a deep knowledge of chemistry to understand what’s inside. (Is Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% a gel? Cream? Liquid?) And the next mystery to unravel: scent. Because the brand doesn’t use any added fragrance (and they’re vegan and cruelty-free, too), the raw ingredients in these potent products can carry some pretty unexpected notes. Some formulations are bacon-y, others fishy; some smell faintly of tea leaves or peaches, while others have no scent at all.

The Ordinary’s retinal was the ‘most affordable and effective’ in our tests

From high-tech LED face masks to the most hyped luxury brands, skincare can come with a hefty price tag. So, when a brand like The Ordinary offers affordable products that can get the job done, they earn a spot on beauty editors’ watch lists.

Indeed, from its retinol to its retinal offerings, you won’t find The Ordinary leaning into superfluous bells and whistles. That means no fragrance, no elaborate packaging, and instead, a roster of solid, no-frills formulas that we can always count on when our disposable income is looking, well, not so disposable.

One such product that is firmly on our radar is The Ordinary’s retinal 0.2% emulsion (was £15.20, now £13.68, Amazon.co.uk). Pocket-sized and potent, this little serum has the power to firm and fill lacklustre skin thanks to its vitamin A-derived formula.

The difference between retinol and retinal lies in the fact that the latter is further along the vitamin A cycle, so it works faster on fine lines, boosting cell turnover and all…