The Ordinary reviews and discussion

4.5

93% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Effective acne-clearing serums
  • Noticeably brighter, smoother skin
  • Minimalist, clinical formulations
  • Clear, straightforward labeling
  • Sticky serum textures
  • Potential irritation from actives
  • Hit-or-miss product efficacy
  • Confusing product naming

The Ordinary earns strong reviews for effective, ingredient-forward skincare that improves texture, hydration, acne, and glow—with standouts like Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, and the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. Reviews also flag weaknesses: some formulas feel sticky, can pill or irritate sensitive skin, high actives may overwhelm newbies, results can be hit-or-miss, and product naming/usage can be confusing.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

2,515 reviews and posts

  • This review is specifically for their "AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 30ml" product. This product saved my life. This isn't said lightly as I was going through a traumatizing period in my life that lead to prescription medication for depression, anxiety & PTSD. I was apprehensive about taking pills because I feared the potential negative side effects many of us have heard about but I took a chance. Then my biggest fear became true and I developed a very particular side effect to the pills. My body couldn't process the medication for some reason & for the first time in my life I developed cystic acne immediately after taking it. Painful and bloody cysts where appearing under and over my skin. Nothing - and I mean nothing, could help me cure it. I tried it all. It was hard to go out into the world because all three coats of Fenty foundation couldn't help cover the bloody cysts. (The foundation was actually recommended as the better alternative by my dermatologist. I worked at a law firm as a receptionist so being presentable was a must.) I didn't want to go out, looking at my face made me more depressed, I felt like I just wanted to hide in my room and it took a toll on my self esteem. This went on for 6 weeks until I stopped taking the meds and was saved by an Angel in the form of a Sephora employee. I went to their store to look for another brand to try when a girl who worked there took one look at my skin and came up to me and recommended this tiny little bottle that was $6 at that time. I almost laughed because of the price and I thought there was no way this little bottle that appeared so insignificant would make any difference. I gave it a shot because what else did I have to lose? I didn't last 10 seconds with this on my face when I tried it on because it felt like I had 100 ants crawling all over. I washed it off immediately and almost threw the bottle away. The next morning I woke up to seeing the majority of my acne less swollen, no new cysts had formed and they appeared to have gotten smaller. This was the first time a product had worked. I had tried high-end & low-end creams, Benzoyl Peroxides, Salicylic acids, spot treatments and pastes but none of them had worked. I tried it a second time a day later & for 10 more seconds and little by little, I was able to build up to 3 minutes before running to the sink to wash it off. This appeared to kill whatever bacteria was living on my face and within 2 weeks the cystic acne had almost diminished entirely. However, this solution did leave a lot of dark spots and some scarring. (All that has since gone away because I used other products to help with the reduction of dark spots & scars). I have since learned more about AHA's and BHA's & know that they are not great for your skin. Do your own research on these. Some products are not for everyday use. I don't regret using this product because as I said, it gave me my life back. The pictures show it best.

  • I have bought a few products from the Ordinary and have mixed reviews on all. I bought the sunscreen and I would not recommend, it goes on thicker and has to be rubbed in pretty intently to not leave any residue. It is a thicker sunscreen but didn't feel like it made my skin more moisturized. I would just prefer sunscreens that are weightless and sheer for every day use. I also bought the retinol and squalane that blew up on TikTok. I know in the states the percentage of retinol in products is limited and I have nothing to compare to, but I don't notice a change when I use this. I was warned to use it sparingly so my skin wouldn't overreact but I haven't noticed my skin reacting at all. I am still super careful and make extra sure to wear sunscreen the days after I use it, but not sure there is any change to my skin.

  • I discovered this brand a while back and really do enjoy their products. Super affordable. I liked that the boutiques aren’t over the top fancy. Great customer service every time I visited the shop.

  • Some of the best affordable skincare products. I regularly use the plant-derived Squalane, the viral AHA + BHA exfoliator, and the Salicylic Acid. I have used these for years and they have made a huge difference in clearing up my skin and improving dryness. I'm planning on trying more products very soon!

  • I absolutely loved the product considering its price. The product from "Ordinary" exceeded my expectations, especially considering its affordable price point. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and effectiveness of the product. Not only did it deliver noticeable results, but it also felt luxurious and high-end during application. The texture was smooth and easily absorbed into my skin, leaving it feeling nourished and hydrated. I also appreciated the simplicity of the product. It had a straightforward formulation without any unnecessary additives or fragrances. This made it suitable for my sensitive skin and minimized the risk of irritation. Overall, I highly recommend this product from "Ordinary" for its exceptional performance and budget-friendly price. It has become a staple in my skincare routine, and I'm delighted with the value it provides.

    Influencer for The Ordinary
  • Their AHA/BHA peel is A LIFE SAVER! I'm not kidding. If you have sensitive skin and need a simplified routine, but also need to exfoliate...BUY THIS! My skin feels so healthy the next day and it keeps the congestion on my chin at bay during oily summers.

    Influencer for The Ordinary
  • I am a fan of the Ordinary. if you are new to skincare, this is the brand to start with. Prices are reasonable and you will see results with each product you try!

  • I have been using ordinary for over a year now and have loved the ease of use of the products and the quality of each product I have used from the line. They have been so great on my skin and haven’t had any bad results.

  • My favorite product from The Ordinary is their Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Oil that I use on my face at night time. It helps reduce inflammation and my skin’s pigmentation is significantly improved after using it regularly. I’ve also used their Salicylic Acid 2% solution for clearing up my face before I start the day.

    Feedback

    I love how light it is and it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft.

    Influencer for The Ordinary
  • My mom and I currently use the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. I use it to treat perioral dermatitis caused by birth control pills and it has saved me quite a few visits to a dermatologist and weeks of oral antibiotics which are really bad for my body since they have to be taken for so long in order to work. My mom takes uses it to treat her rosacea and it's amazing. The way it got rid of the worst rosacea flare she's ever had was nothing shy of a miracle. The price point is great too. I also love that it doesn't contain anything else but the active ingredient that you need and it's fairly easy to find near me or have it shipped and delivered to my home.

  • I have the AHA BBA peel and I really like it. Also the pricing is incredibly reasonable. I use it rather I frequently but when I do I notice brighter skin and slightly less pigmentation on my acne scars. The scaring returns to its usual state the next day but it does feel like it works/is a reset for the face.

    Feedback

    I had a spot of this on my hand that must have gotten missed when I rinsed it off. It burnt/scorched my hand (chemical burn), so definitely take note and be careful when using this product!! Also I wouldn’t use this in addition to other exfoliants. There is such a thing as too much exfoliation.

  • I have many different products by The Ordinary, and I just want to say if you are looking for affordable skin care products that truly work - this is the product line for you! My favorite products to use are the Squalene cleanser, which completely helps remove makeup, and the Glycolic Acid toner.

  • The ordinary has cleared up my face so much! I started using it on my birthday February 24, it’s now April 9 and my face is so smooth & soft. I have some hyperpigmentation left but nothing like before & the acne is gone. I can only add one photo so I’ll show the after.

  • My honest review is that, if you're looking for affordable skincare products that are effective and straightforward, The Ordinary is a good option to consider. However, as with any skincare product, it's important to do your research and consult with a dermatologist before starting any new skincare regimen. I’ve noticed significant improvements in my skin's texture, clarity, and hydration after using The Ordinary's products, particularly the brand's serums and moisturizers. Trust me , it’s your money worth.

    Feedback

    The Ordinary has a wide range of products that cater to different skin types, including dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. Whether you have a specific skin concern or just want to improve your overall skin health, you are sure to find a product that works for you. Overall, I highly recommend The Ordinary skincare line to anyone who is looking for effective, affordable, and science-backed skincare products. With their commitment to transparency and quality, you can feel confident that you are investing in products that are truly beneficial for your skin.

  • After really focusing on my skincare and seeing what I can do to improve it, i was introduced to The Ordinary through friends. I have tried many products but my absolute favorite is Niacinnamide and the AHA + BHA! Truly saw major improvement in my skin after a month of consistent use!

  • First of all I LOVE the ordinary products. If you are someone just getting into skincare I feel like this is the brand to start with. Their products are all reasonable priced. I use so many products from this brand I dont even know where to begin. If youre contemplating just try it. I think the hyloronic acid products are my fav.

  • In my opinion, The Ordinary is a great brand for basic skincare products like moisturizer and face cleanser. However, when it comes to serums, I haven't seen much improvement in my skin after using them.

  • Skincare that works and affordable. Why is it so hard for every other brand? Seriously, makes such a difference on my skin and makes me feel like I am using a luxury product.

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    They will fix any skincare issue for you and your budget won't be broken.

  • I've owned quite a bit of The Ordinary products and I must say the work quite well for sensitive skin. One product that was hyped over social media was the "Peeling Solution" which work magic on my skin. I started to noticed that my imperfections were fading and that made me a happy camper. I can say, that it tingles a bit but if burning occurs do make sure you discontinue using the product.

    Customer
  • Before the dreaded 2020 #maskne, I never struggled with acne and intense breakouts (hashtag blessed). What I’ve always had issues with is rough skin texture. No matter how many face scrubs and exfoliation I tried, I never could achieve that baby smooth skin. My skin also turns red easily so all the abrasive scrubs I was using was not doing me well either. This product has gotten me the closest in achieving smooth skin. Fair warning, this product burns for about the first 3 minutes. This came as a shock when I used it for the first time, but the baby smoothness that came after what looked like the Kim K blood facial was worth every penny of the $7 I spent on this. I was most impressed with how well my makeup went on the next day after using this. Smooth like butta. I have moderately sensitive skin and had no allergic or sensitivity issues (other than the slight burn for the first few minutes). But beauty is pain, right? Kidding, it wasn’t painful.

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    Love how they are now carried at Ulta so I can just go pick up what I need versus waiting for shipping.