Theordinary.com Ethical Considerations

When examining theordinary.com through an ethical lens, particularly for consumers adhering to Islamic principles, a nuanced perspective is required.

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The brand openly champions certain ethical stances, such as being vegan and cruelty-free, and engages in environmental initiatives.

These are commendable efforts that align with broader ethical consumption.

However, for the specific requirements of halal (permissible) products in Islam, these generally stated ethics may not be sufficient, as halal certification requires a deeper, ingredient-by-ingredient and process-by-process verification.

Commendable Ethical Stances

The Ordinary clearly communicates several ethical commitments that are positive and widely appealing to many consumers.

• Vegan Formulations: The website states that its formulations are “Vegan,” meaning they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This aligns with ethical concerns about animal exploitation and is a positive step.
• Cruelty-Free: The brand is “cruelty-free” and “not tested on animals,” which is a significant ethical commitment for many consumers worldwide. This ensures that no animals are harmed during the product development or testing phases.
• Environmental Partnership (Veritree): The partnership with “Veritree on Nature-Based Solutions” demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability by planting trees and kelp. This initiative reflects a broader corporate social responsibility.
• Accessibility and Integrity: The brand’s stated commitment to “integrity and accessibility” in skincare suggests an ethical approach to business, aiming to make effective products affordable and transparent in terms of key ingredients.
• No Harmful Additives (General): While not explicitly stated in ethical terms, the brand’s focus on essential active ingredients and minimalist formulations often means avoiding unnecessary fillers, fragrances, or certain parabens, which aligns with a “cleaner” beauty philosophy.

Areas for Deeper Ethical Scrutiny (Islamic Perspective)

While the aforementioned ethics are positive, they do not automatically equate to halal compliance, which necessitates a more rigorous review.

• Absence of Halal Certification: This is the primary ethical gap for Muslim consumers. Halal certification goes beyond being merely vegan or cruelty-free. It requires ensuring that all ingredients, including derivatives, processing aids, and even the machinery used, are free from forbidden substances (like alcohol, pork derivatives, or animal by-products not slaughtered Islamically) and cross-contamination risks.
• Ingredient Sourcing Transparency: While ingredients are listed, the detailed origin and processing of each component are not readily transparent on the website. For example, glycerin can be sourced from animals or plants. without explicit information, it’s difficult for a Muslim consumer to verify its permissibility.
• Alcohol in Formulations: Some cosmetic ingredients use alcohol as a solvent. While certain types of alcohol (like fatty alcohols) are generally accepted as permissible for external use, ethanol or denatured alcohol (often found in toners or serums) can be a point of contention for some Muslim scholars and consumers, especially if it’s used as a primary solvent. The website doesn’t explicitly clarify the type or source of alcohol, if any, in its products.
• Cross-Contamination Risks: Halal compliance extends to the manufacturing environment. If products are produced on lines that also handle non-halal ingredients, there’s a risk of cross-contamination. The Ordinary’s website does not provide details on their manufacturing facility’s halal standards.
• Beyond Vegan: Islamic Animal Ethics: While vegan covers avoidance of animal products, Islamic ethics regarding animal welfare also include the method of slaughter (dhabiha) for any permissible animal-derived ingredients. Since The Ordinary is vegan, this specific concern is mitigated, but the general principle is important to note for non-vegan brands.