The Ordinary reviews and discussion

4.5

93% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Effective acne-clearing serums
  • Hydrating, lightweight hyaluronic serum
  • Powerful exfoliating acid treatments
  • Minimalist, reliable packaging
  • Occasional sticky serum textures
  • Harsh actives for sensitive skin
  • Pilling under makeup occurs
  • Inconsistent retinol performance

The Ordinary earns strong reviews as effective, ingredient-forward skincare that improves texture, hydration, acne, and clarity—standouts include Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, and Squalane Cleanser—while minimalist packaging appeals. Reviews also flag downsides: some formulas feel sticky or pill, actives can be harsh or confusing to layer, certain products (retinols, vitamin C, hair care) underperform for some, and a few report irritation or breakouts.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

2,518 reviews and posts

  • I was excited to get an affordable hair serum to help regrow hair from breakage and from pulling. I made the mistake of applying the first time on freshly cleaned hair and realized just because it’s a serum doesn’t mean that it’s going to be completely clear without leaving an oily residue on the scalp and make it look greasy. I would recommend not using on freshly washed hair and treat more like a hair oil instead.

  • This serum has been a nice addition to my routine. It feels lightweight, goes on easily, and after using it consistently my lips felt smoother and more hydrated. I like using it before bed so it has time to work overnight. The only thing I'd warn people about is to make sure you don't get any in your mouth because it tastes absolutely awful. It's not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to keep in mind when applying it.

  • So I’ve used grande lash before and it is out of my price range so after seeing reviews, I decided to try the ordinary multi peptide, lash and brow serum and overall I do notice a thickness and just more healthy lashes and browse I can’t say that there’s a ton of new growth, but from someone that curls, her eyelashes every day and uses mascara. I have noticed less fallout, but it does make around my eyes dark darker which I don’t love and does hold me back from using it more often.

  • It totally works but not in the sense i feel like most consumers buy it. It works at keeping lashed hydrated and healthy and helps with some growth but doesn’t give drastic results that makes a noticeable change.

  • I've always had thin hair that looks limp and needs more volume.After applying The Ordinary serum before bed I noticed that my hair got more volume and density, it looks healthier and smoother. I love that it's lightweight and doesn't feel greasy or leaves any residue.

    Received a free product from The Ordinary
  • I bought this serum during the winter when my usual serum/moisturizer combo wasn't cutting it. I was still experiencing dryness and got a rare facial. When the aesthetician made a hyaluronic acid serum suggestion, I bought The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum frankly because of the price and online reviews. I'm so happy I did! I have not gone a day without using this serum since. I use it after cleansing and toning, as the third step in my skincare routine. I use it morning and night and have not experienced any dryness at all regardless of season/being outside, etc. I also love The Ordinary's Retinol 1% in Squalane and use that every other night or so. I look forward to trying many more products in their range because the prices are great and they deliver real results.

  • Amazing value for the price! I picked this up to try after being underwhelmed with another affordable retinol. I love the liquid/serum texture and apply it after applying The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum. They layer beautifully and I feel like over time my skin texture has improved: less texture, more even complexion, smaller pores. What I love most is that I experience no irritation, sensitivity, redness, dryness. And did I mention the price?!

  • Absolutely LOVE this serum. It works wonders. I have acne-prone, combo skin and when I had been battling horrible acne for over a year that nothing could cure, this got rid of it all. Plus, it faded my horrible acne scars/dark spots. All it takes is about 2 weeks to start seeing results and the longer you use it the better your skin looks. It makes skin so smooth, bright, clear, and healthy. You can see a noticable difference after one month. As long as you apply it morning and evening like you're supposed to, this serum will not disappoint. My skin has never been so healthy and happy.

  • Does its one job — hydrates well, layers under everything, no scent, no fuss, and it’s cheap. Downside: on its own in dry climates it can actually pull moisture from skin if you don’t seal it with a moisturizer after, so don’t use it as a standalone step and expect it to be enough.

  • The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is intense — this isn’t a casual weekly step, it’s a proper chemical peel you need to respect, and results (smoother texture, brighter tone) show up fast when you use it right. The tingling is real and expected in the first few minutes, but if it’s still stinging or turning red past the 10-minute mark, that’s your skin telling you to rinse early, not push through. The tradeoffs: it’s genuinely too strong for sensitive or actively compromised skin, it will sting more than a “normal” exfoliant, and the timing is unforgiving — leave it on too long and you’re looking at redness or irritation for days rather than a glow.

  • The glycolic scent is sharp and a bit chemical — not something you grow to love, just something you tolerate. The dropper-cap is impractical for a toner you’re meant to use on a cotton pad or palms nightly; it’s slow and you end up unscrewing the whole cap most nights anyway. And while it’s gentle enough for regular use, “daily” is optimistic for a lot of skin types — used every night it can leave things looking a little irritated and dull rather than glowy, especially if you’re not rigorous about SPF the next morning.

  • Has been a constant in my routine for months now, it visibly controls oiliness and evens out my skin texture without drying me out. It’s not a miracle for deep pigmentation but it has helped significantly with for pores and balance nothing beats the price. I get the hype!

  • Holy grail product for years. There's nothing it can't do, detox your scalp, exfoliate dry feet, and exfoliate before shaving legs. I always hold at least one bottle. It's a cheap and hard-working product. Love it

  • The Ordinary is my new favorite skincare. The quality is excellent and amazing for the price. I particularly love that they help you build a regimen on the site and explain when to use the products as I'm a novice in this area and always end up googling the steps when I get new products. The sunscreen in particular is a favorite, because it goes on so nicely without leaving a greasy cast or having an overpowering fragrance.

  • One of the best sunscreen I've ever try! It feels like a milky toner, so refreshing while protecting your skin. Also it goes well for under makeup. Doesn't sting your eyes, also no white cast at all, your skin looks glowy

    Received a free product from The Ordinary
  • I love how this feels immediately after application, my face looked more firm and plump and overall fresher. Honestly cannot recommend this enough - non-irritating, no side effects, truly a holy grail in my skincare

  • I’ve been using a combination of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid, and Glycolic Acid, and it’s completely elevated my skincare routine. The Niacinamide + Zinc serum has been amazing for keeping my oil production in check and minimizing the appearance of pores. My skin looks noticeably clearer and more balanced, especially in areas where I used to get frequent breakouts. It gives that smooth, refined look without feeling heavy. Adding Hyaluronic Acid into the routine made a huge difference in hydration. My skin feels plumper, softer, and more refreshed throughout the day. It pairs perfectly with niacinamide because it prevents any dryness and keeps everything looking healthy and dewy. The real game changer, though, has been Glycolic Acid. Using it a few times a week has helped gently exfoliate my skin, fade dullness, and improve overall tone. I’ve noticed my complexion looks brighter and more even, and it’s helped reduce the appearance of old acne marks over time. Together, this combination feels like a complete system-balancing oil, boosting hydration, and improving texture all at once. My skin looks clearer, smoother, and more radiant than it has in a long time. Just be mindful to introduce glycolic acid slowly and always use sunscreen, since it increases sensitivity to the sun.

  • Love this product! I tend to have hyperpigmentation and find this is a great step in my skincare routine to add more moisture into my skins to combat the darkness. I’ll either add a few drops to my creams or occasionally do a full face of oil as an overnight mask

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • Used this to help fade dark spots and control acne/milia spots. Have seen a noticeable difference even with a short usage time. I prefer to use it during the day after cleansing and toning and sitting just under my moisturizer. I tend to use it every second day and that seems to work fine. It’s a nice affordable price point as well!

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • Worked wonders for my skin! I use it as hoc when it starts to look a little dull and I feel like it brightens up skin, makes it look a little more plump and helped fade some acne scars! I don't have very sensitive skin but It does cause a burning sensation when you put it on but I think that's expected! Would recommend !