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

  • 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 !

  • If you're looking for a "one-and-done" treatment that doesn't break the bank, this serum (formerly known as "Buffet") is arguably the most versatile bottle in The Ordinary's lineup. It's designed to be a universal anti-aging and hydration powerhouse. This serum doesn't focus on just one issue; it offers a comprehensive approach to skin health. Using a heavy-hitting blend of peptides like Matrixyl 3000 and Synthe'6, it works over time to make skin feel more resilient and "bouncy. It includes Argirelox, a peptide technology often used to target dynamic expression lines (like crow's feet or forehead lines). It delivers deep hydration with multiple weights of Hyaluronic Acid. It plumps the skin surface

  • I was so pleased to find this brand - loved it's ethos, simple packaging and price points that don't bloat because of their marketing budget or fancy celebrity endorsements. I've tried several products and have turned my son on to them as well - we like them, but do miss the richness of a luxury product.

  • ugc

    Sou a Francisca, criadora de conteúdo UGC focada em beleza e skincare, saúde e bem-estar e moda. Sigo a vossa marca há algum tempo e sou fã. Gostava de propor uma colaboração: criar conteúdo autêntico (vídeos/fotos estilo UGC) para as vossas redes sociais ou campanhas de ads, mostrando algum produto de forma genuína e alinhada com o vosso público. Tens aqui o meu portefólio com exemplos do meu trabalho: https://canva.link/f83fcm3mdo1p0kw

  • Absolutely obsessed with this face wash! I was using the Youth to the People green cleanser for years, but I started to feel my skin drying out from it so I wanted something more gentle, less foaming, and cheaper. I saw The Ordinary's Squalane cleanser rec'd on an IG reel all about affordable, sensitive/acne-prone skincare picks, tried it immediately, and have repurchased for more than a year! First, on dry skin, I massage it all over my face, then get my hands a little wet to emulsify it. From there, I will fully rinse my face. Love it SO much, and how it comes in 2 sizes! My go-to, every day.

  • I like this vitamin C serum. it actually does what it promises and is very affordable. The texture is quite liquid and slightly sticky, but that doesn’t bother me. Just make sure to follow up with a good moisturizer, since my skin feels a bit dry afterward. Overall, I’d definitely repurchase it because it works well and is worth the price.

  • The cheapest option so far but it doesn't mean the quality is worse. After committing to it for a couple of months, I've experienced remarkable improvement.

  • I started noticing less shedding after about three weeks of daily use, and by the second month my hair felt noticeably fuller and stronger at the roots. Love their brand too, you know what you are buying and they do not disappoint.

  • This eye serum has made a visible difference in my under-eye area. It helps reduce puffiness in the morning and makes me look more awake almost instantly. With consistent use, I’ve also noticed my dark circles look lighter and less tired. The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so it’s perfect under concealer. A little goes a long way, and it’s become one of my go-to products for a refreshed look.

  • I’ve been really impressed with this serum. It noticeably helped balance my skin and reduce excess oil without making me feel dry or tight. After a couple of weeks, my pores looked smaller and my skin tone appeared more even. It layers well with other products and doesn’t pill under makeup, which is a huge plus. For the price, the results are honestly amazing—definitely a staple in my routine now.

  • I grabbed this product after a TikTok review sold me on it! My hair is thin from birth, but having babies and losing weight with a GLP-1 really made it lose density and I was starting to have shedding too! This has caffeine which made a big difference at my roots and didn’t leave my scalp greasy at all!

  • Great products at a very affordable price point. I love that I can get a product that works well without the fuss. My skin looks noticeably better in the morning after using the Glycolic Acid before bed. I also appreciate that the product lasts for a long time. I'm still on my first bottle.

  • I didn't notice it do anything necessarily. My skin wasn't particularly moisturized. However, it is fairly cheap in comparison to other products and I don't know that I would be able to tell the difference between it and something at a slightly higher price point. It doesn't irritate my skin. It doesn't leave a white cast. It can be layered on top of other products. This is my second or third time purchasing it. I would purchase it again. Unlike the caffeine where I couldn't tell a difference at all and wouldn't purchase again, the moisturizer may make a difference.

  • I love the Ordinary Rose Hip Oil! This is the real deal, I tried before the handmade ones and this one has good quality. Even the smells is exactly like the handmade ones. It’s super hydrating and the texture is exactly like the original ones. I tried some online that was not like it was supposed to be and many things added to it but the Ordinary one kept it real. I love using this oil on my hair ends and sometimes in my skin. The texture is thick so just a little amount is enough. The smell is unique so it takes a while to get used to it if you haven’t tried the real deal before. Some brands oils out there put fragrance to make it better, but also other oils too which is less real. I wish the bottle was a little big bigger but this size is also great for traveling without taking much space. I will definitely purchase this oil again.

  • My skincare routine doesn’t involve many steps so I haven’t used many Ordinary products like serums or to remove makeup. I tried this powder and maybe it’s working okay, but it’s mostly not turning into cream when I rub it in.

  • I like the ordinary’s brand mission of making skincare easier and letting me find products that work specifically for my concerns without all the fuss. They also have affordable prices and run deals a lot. The quality of their products are also really good and they offer a great customer service experience if you have any questions about their products or if you’re looking for guidance on making your own skincare routine!

  • I’ve been using The Ordinary’s 0.2% retinol for a while: excellent product. I’ve tried others, but this works as well as many other higher priced brands. I bought the moisturizer as a travel (body) cream as I am tired of decanting body lotions into mini containers (first world problems 🙄) and this is 100 mL in a slim container, suitable for 2 weeks . Trial run looks promising - I wouldn’t bother but my skin is arid like the Sahara. Squalene cleanser for the same reason (travel) - not as nice as my all time favorite from Drunk Elephant, but very good all the same. I suspect the multi peptide stuff is nonsense but I fell for it anyway. Will report back later. Got a free water bottle made from glass. Utility questionable. But it looks pretty.

  • Extremely affordable and great starter products if you want to test adding something to your routine. I've tried their hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C serums. They're all good and very affordable. I find layering products to be annoying however, so typically once I decide an ingredient is working well for my skin, I will look at a product I'm already using and if I can "upgrade" it to include the ingredient I'm testing.