In a bid to demystify skincare science (and promote its new GF 15% Solution), The Ordinary just launched a free digital library of beauty industry white papers. The initiative, developed by creative agency Uncommon and dubbed 'The Wikileaks of Beauty,' makes peer-reviewed studies and research accessible to consumers worldwide through a searchable database at thetruthshouldbeordinary.com. Articles tackle commonly misunderstood topics like parabens, natural ingredients and sunscreen formulations, accompanied by expert explanations that help translate complex scientific findings into clear, actionable information.
The database represents a significant shift in how beauty brands approach transparency, moving beyond ingredient lists to share the deeper scientific context behind formulations and industry claims. By revealing that some widely-held beliefs may be misconceptions — such as the assumed dangers of parabens or the superiority of natural ingredients — The Ordinary encourages people to make more informed skincare choices. The Estée Lauder-owned brand has also committed to expanding the archive by funding access to additional paywalled research papers and inviting scientists worldwide to contribute their work, creating an open-source knowledge hub that could reshape how consumers engage with beauty science.
