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

2,522 reviews and posts

  • I love the ordinary! I’ve been buying their products for YEARS and will continue to do so! They are such an affordable brand with simple ingredients. I will always have their glycolic acid toner, “the buffet” (has a new name now), and the aha mask on my beauty shelf!

    Feedback

    The Ordinary’s website does a great job with mapping out what ingredients should and should not be mixed. Many people miss out on this shopping from a 3rd party website, but this really helped me on the beginning on my skincare journey!

  • The Ordinary hyaluronic acid did wonders for my dry skin. I suffer from moderate to extreme eczema which makes choosing products so hard as most irritate it even more, except this didn't irritate it at all and helped reduce the flakiness or my eczema. Price is a bonus too!

  • Product n4 Amazing against dark circles!!!

  • good products, really great prices, and really potent formulas. packaging is simple and straight forward, gets the job done. tons of products to choose from

    Feedback

    sometimes the products are way too potent to be effective (ex: niacinamide), and wish there was a bit more research on the products. some of the textures of their creams tend to be interesting… and usually too greasy for my combo skin.

  • Overall, I have seen a significant improvement in my oily skin since incorporating The Ordinary products into my skincare routine and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for affordable yet effective skincare solutions. I also really like the multi peptide serum for hair growth. I have been using it for the past several months and have had noticeable new hair growth since then.

    Feedback

    As someone with oily skin, I highly recommend The Ordinary skincare products. Their products are effective yet affordable, making them a great option for those on a budget. Their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is a game-changer for oily skin types as it helps to regulate oil production, minimize the appearance of pores, and improve skin texture. Their Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is also excellent for oily skin as it helps to deeply cleanse and exfoliate, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Additionally, The Ordinary products are easy to incorporate into a skincare routine and can be customized to target specific concerns.

  • I use quite a few products from this brand and the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is in my routine every other day if not daily. The first time I used it I noticed a difference in my skin texture and moisture about 5-6 days in.

    Feedback

    I’m 37, medium skinned, and I feel like this helps with signs of aging like fine likes and dry areas.

  • This brand is incredible and extremely affordable. Love it

    Feedback

    Product works and doesn't break the bank. Shipping is super fast and their customer service is amazing.

  • lo q probe me gusto pero creo que le dan mucho mas bombo del que en verdad deberia

    Feedback

    creo que el precio es muy elevado y otras marcas hacen lo msimo o mas por precios mas bajos

  • The highest quality products for the best price!

    Feedback

    I've tried tons of super expensive brands and this one works just as well, if not better, for a fraction of the price.

  • I love this brand. I have been using their niacinimide for about 2 years and it completely changed my skin. I love the sleek package and affordable prices.

    Feedback

    I think the brand has something for everyone's skin type and with their affordable prices something everyone will love.

    Influencer for The Ordinary
  • I am now a regular customer of this brand. I have always had a great time and I still continue to buy the products once they are finished. For my skin type the niacinamide product works wonders. As well as Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow. I have really found some benefits. And I really recommend buying the products. My face is reborn.

    Customer
  • I am very picky when it comes to products as I have very sensitive skin. This is one of those that did not irritate me at all.

  • I've been using their products for a few years now, I really like them. The Lactic Acid 10% is one of my favorites, since it is very light I use it as toner every day. The Hyaluronic acid and the Niacinamide serums are a must, good basic products for a great price. I didn't love the retinol in squalane, I would love to see a new strong retinol without oils. It is to heavy on my skin.

  • I am currently using the red mask and toner, it has done wonders for my skin. You need it right now.

    Feedback

    The price is also amazing. I have no complaints at all.

  • I absolutely love The Ordinary Hyluronic Acid 2% + B5. It helps so much with hydrating my super dry skin, especially in our super cold dry winters here in Alberta. I also have very sensitive skin and have found no irritation, and it's actually quite soothing for irritated skin. I also love that The Ordinary skincare is so affordable. It's so hard to be able to afford all the skincare products required for aging skin, and it's so nice to have a great product at a really great price.

  • I have tried a range of ordinary products and I have loved all of them. I am especially fond of the peptide buffet that I have been using for nearly 4 years now. I love the communication around ordinary products and the Decided chatroom is excellent. Truly one of my favorite beauty brands in the market.

    Feedback

    I'd love for some products to be formulated better primarily their retinol and Vitamin C. Otherwise I am all hearts.

    User
  • Ho trovato questo prodotto da DOUGLAS e avendo io problemi di pelle mista ho voluto provarlo... mi sono sempre trovata benissimo. Un marchio che offre qualità ad un prezzo contenuto.

    Customer
  • This brand is honestly perfect. Affordable and works so good. I have been using the niacinamide serum for over a year now and my skin has never looked so good and clear.It really helps with all the little pimples that I have.Highly recommend to try the ordinary out you will not be disappointed

  • Very good products for the price you pay. Im so sad to hear they are discontinuing their makeup line, cause the foundation serum was an amazing product.

  • *Sigh...Need to revise my review as I am getting ready to post and take my stars down from 5 to 4 because prices seem to be creeping up there. Yes, everything is getting more expensive, but The Ordinary was originally about simple, good quality ingredients at low prices. I will keep the review as I wrote it before I paid closer attention to prices. Things that used to be 5-6 are now closer to 8 or 9. That's a big jump. For the price, this skin care line is a no brainer. I have tried several products. The glycolic acid toner is good for occasional breakouts, even in my 40s. The blood red AHA and BHA peel is very nice for using now and then for deeper exfoliation. The lactic acid works for milder, more frequent exfoliation. They have some good vitamin c products as well, especially the powder, which is easy to add to moisturizers. Be careful. It can sting. But you get a generous amount and in powder form it lasts forever. Granted, if you get a lot of products, it can add up, but it still tends to be far less than the pricey brands out there. (Looking at you Drunk Elephant, Sunday Riley, Kate Somerville, Tatcha, Tata Harper, and don't even think about La Mer!) If you want a one and done approach, this may not be for you. (Although, they do have a few products you should still investigate like the Buffet serum). However, I actually appreciate the fact that the Ordinary separates out ingredients. That way I can mix and match my own based on what my skin needs at the time.

    Feedback

    If I have one criticism it would be that some of their newer products are pricier (mutlipeptides and multiceramides). I found that out looking back at the website to see what products I wanted to mention. I guess that's ok in a way. If they want to offer some of these, no big deal. However, they need to continue to offer the less expensive, single/low ingredient items that got people hooked on them in the first place. I do worry they will increase prices and/or get away from the type of simple products that I love. If so, I will start looking elsewhere. But they still get 4 to 5 stars for now as of February 2023.