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

  • Do not sleep on this. It tackles uneven skin tone, texture, and redness all in one step. The suspension formula is thicker than expected but blends out well and layers fine under moisturizer. My skin looks more even and calm with regular use. Incredible value for what it actually does.

  • Produto eficiente, com proposta clara e entrega real. A combinação de niacinamida a 10% com zinco 1% ajuda visivelmente no controle da oleosidade, na redução da aparência dos poros e na melhora da textura da pele. A absorção é rápida, não deixa sensação pegajosa e funciona bem tanto na rotina da manhã quanto da noite. Fórmula direta, sem firulas — skincare raiz, do jeito que tem que ser. Ponto forte: ótimo custo-benefício e resultados consistentes com uso contínuo. Produto democrático, conversa com diferentes tipos de pele, especialmente mistas e oleosas. Observação estratégica: Sou criadora de conteúdo UGC e avalio produtos com foco em performance real, usabilidade e percepção do consumidor final. Este sérum tem excelente potencial para conteúdos educativos, reviews e vídeos de rotina, porque o resultado é visível e a proposta é fácil de comunicar. Resumo executivo: entrega o que promete, sem hype vazio. Produto sólido, confiável e com alto potencial de conversão em conteúdo.

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • I had a great experience with their red mask, but I truly feel that they lean too heavily on the sciency aspect of their marketing. Their other products are truly just okay, on par with other drugstore products!

  • I know a lot of people love how accessible this brand is. I was excited when it came out and bought 10 different products and liked some of them well enough but didn't end up re-purchasing. Not sure if I used it incorrectly or just got tired of the endless layering of products which starts to feel like a bit absurd at times.

  • The perfect brand for those looking for high quality products that won’t break the bank. These products make for a great gift for those just getting into skincare, but they are also tried and true for keeping your skin looking great.

  • I admit the look is a bit intimidating at first, but the results are unmatched. As someone who takes skincare seriously, I look for products that deliver true renewal. I use this peeling once a week (never more than 10 minutes!) and it feels like it’s wiped away years of dullness. My 40+ skin loves the glow and the ultra-smooth texture it leaves behind. It’s the best value for anyone wanting a "new skin" effect at home.

    Influencer for The Ordinary
  • 5/5 I’ve been using The Ordinary Niacinamide for a while now and it’s genuinely helped control oil and minimize the look of my pores. My skin looks more balanced and less shiny without feeling stripped. I also love the ordinary in general and how they create great skincare at accessible price points

  • The Ordinary propose des produits au rapport qualité-prix très intéressant, ce qui explique son succès. Cependant, la marque n’est pas exceptionnelle et ne bluffe pas vraiment. Certaines formules sont efficaces, mais d’autres peuvent être décevantes, voire inadaptées selon les peaux. C’est une marque correcte pour débuter, mais limitée en termes d’innovation et de résultats visibles à long terme.

  • Everything I’ve tried from this brand, I’ve been super happy with. I’m on my 4th bottle of the hyaluronic acid & 5th bottle of the hair care growth serum.

    Feedback

    I wish it was sold at convenient stores.

  • I tried the azelaic acid suspension from The Ordinary and was pretty impressed. It’s simple, effective, and super affordable. I saw some results, though it took a bit of consistency. Not perfect, but really solid overall.

  • Good value, very accessible. Products are always solid. Love their hyaluronic acid.

  • I only tried the niacinamide treatment and it broke me out BAD — it was chalked up to purging but it’s a regular ingredient in my routine so that is not the answer for me. It put a bad taste in my mouth to try other things, but know people who swear by the brand 😅

  • I’ve tried some products and liked the results. Giving it 4 stars because of price and it can be confusing to figure out which one is right for you

  • Very budget-friendly and boasts a large range of great products. It's crucial to thoroughly research each product to grasp the ideal usage and combination, especially when using multiple products at once, particularly those with exfoliating properties. I was very surprised to see that they introduced a well-organized design system and visual style from the very beginning (despite their extensive product range), and their design approach has remained relatively consistent over time. It'll be interesting to observe how (and/or if) they morph in the years to come.

  • I have used a lot of their products... I feel that the squalene products are great - not too oily. The price point is amazing too. Good for people who have a planned and detailed skincare routine, but hard for people who want a few products. Often have to stack them into your existing routine and try to work out what they do (gets to hard to work out where to add what).

  • It’s so hard to find quality skincare for a decent price. I’ve used multiple products and have been happy with almost all of them. Highly recommend the glycolic acid toner, azelaic acid, and the granactive retinoid and have rebought them. The caffeine solution and squalene cleanser were not for me.

  • Super broad range of skincare products at insanely cost-effective prices—some are as low as $8! I use this brand to test into trying different things, like hyaluronic acid, because it’s so low risk. I appreciate the simple packaging and availability at retailers bigger retailers. The sizes are also normal/not skimpy and they travel well; most items are in a glass bottle dopper. I believe the quality is effective without breaking the bank.

  • Sorry but nothing beats The Ordinary when it comes to price-to-quality ratio for basic skin care (especially for those of us who do not identify as skin care nerds).

  • If you are between the ages of 20 and 35, I expect at least one thing from The Ordinary to be in your medicine cabinet with the rest of your skincare. It's a staple! The products are crafted well, cheap as hell, and provide amazing results! I'm a big believer in switching up brands and products often to find the best but even compared to larger, much more expensive brands, I find myself returning back to what I know in this line. Even if you don't know what you're looking for, their website has a tool where you can provide what your goals are, and what you're using now, and you'll get a personalized recommendation from the team! My go-to's over the last few years have been the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, and the Serum Foundation.

    Feedback

    Not necessarily related to The Ordinary, but more to DECIEM as a brand - I will miss The Chemistry Brand and Hylamide! I really hope these products find their way back into NIOD and The Ordinary.

  • There's absolutely something to be said about how brands utilize minimalism, neutral colors, and sans serif fonts to market skincare brands as more clinical-- but The Ordinary truly IS the embodiment of clinical grade skincare. Super affordable, incredibly effective, and provides new skincare gurus a great "intro" to understand all the different products and what they do with zero frills.