The Ordinary reviews and discussion

My sensitive skin makes it difficult to find products that I enjoy using AND help my skin. I have combo skin, with a weak skin barrier and needed to find a gentle cleanser that didn't dry me out further. I've been using this Glucoside Foaming cleanser for multiple years, and I will continue to. The price point is good, and it's similar to Cerave or Cetaphil but less drying (for me) and a lot more foamy. Bonus that I like the packaging better, too. I usually double cleanse with the Squalene cleanser to take off makeup/sunscreen and then use this.

Although simple, the products offered are in the most part effective and affordable. As a brand, they completely made skincare more accesible. Many of their products are great and are backed with real science behind it.

I've been using the ordinary for almost 10 years. I've used many more of their products, but I'm only including the ones currently in my lineup. Their items are no-frill, but they completely changed my skin at a time when my skin was super dry, irritated, and unhealthy looking AND I had no idea how to create a skincare routine. I did go into one of their stores in SF and a sales person helped me build my routine and she was a lifesaver, since they have a HUGE variety of products (the benefit is that you can pick/choose ingredients specifically to target your concerns). The salesperson helped me start on my journey to understanding what ingredients and combination of ingredients work well for my skin, and how to experiment with them. Because of the price point, I don't have to worry about experimenting and the cost. Honestly, other companies that cost more are more likely to break me out because they put so many different ingredients into a single solution or serum. I got my sister to start using the ordinary, and I'd honestly recommend it (especially the AHA + BHA peeling solution) to literally everyone.

Amazing product for smoothing skin and brightening dark spots. It was recommended to me, and now it’s part of my daily routine. I even use it once every two weeks on my armpits as a deodorant and it’s been so effective.

My skin: Combination dehydrated. I am focused on hydration and hyperpigmentation. I don't have reactive skin unless I exfoliate twice in one night. I'm really enjoying all four items I've purchased from The Ordinary. Essence: I only use the essence in my day routine because I usually use actives at night. It's hydrating and my skin doesn't get tight throughout the day. Amino acid serum: This is a holy grail product for me. I highly recommend if you have dry skin, dry scalp, or dry hair. It's a very thin and runny consistency and I use this after toner/essence and it instantly pumps and smooth my skin. I love it do much! I then put on my vitamin C serum and rest of routine. Bonus tip: add a few drops to your hair oil or leave in condition and your hair will be hydrated for days! Retinal: I really like this! I was previously using Maelove's retinal and found that I wanted something a little strong and less thick and this is great. I still need to wait a few minutes before doing the rest of my routine but it's thinner and more potent. Marula oil: This oil is sooo good for dry hair! It's a bit thick and I love that because it really stay in the locks. I have thick 4C hair.

A++ to this product! I had some zits pop up 2 days before a wedding and I ran to this stuff and within one hour the redness had gone down significantly. I made my sister get it and we are both fully on board now. It works.

I really like The Ordinary overall. Products are generally affordable in travel-friendly sizes, with the flexibility to choose different concentrations of many popular skincare ingredients. I don’t know that the volufiline works much more than basic moisturizer.

I typically enjoy products from The Ordinary but was not impressed by this serum. I don’t really notice a difference in puffiness or dark circles when I apply it. I think I just would prefer a moisturizing eye cream instead!

As someone with dry skin, i’m always looking for moisturizers and products with hyaluronic acid to help keep my skin nice and juicy. This serum helps so much to assure I get that hydration my skin needs no matter what other products I use. This is definitely something I’ve repurchased over and over again (I’m sure I’m on at least bottle number 5 or 6 at this point)

This is a great product for its price point. Some users might interpret the tingling and “pain” (mild stinging) as beneficial (“it’s working!”) and push past safe limits. That’s why I gave it a 4 star rating because I believe there are times I am unsure when to remove it (and I have been getting professional skin treatments for over 30 years). I believe with guidance, this can be an effective and useful product.

In general, the serums are great! This one can be a bit tricky during winter due to the cold and dry weather. it helps me control oily skin, but my skin is mix so during winter it gets super dry. it pinches a little, so wouldn't recommend for sensitive skin. 1 every 15 days helps with the pores and blackheads too

I love this straightforward, effective toner. It's such a good price for the amount of active ingredient! The bottle lasts a looooong time and the tip is perfect for dispensing a small amount onto a cotton round. Will repurchase!

The Ordinary is one brand that I've been constantly & consistently purchasing over & over for the past decade & more! I use their serums, boosters, masks, moisturizers & have tried most of their their products & I definitely have my all time favs, such as their AHA + BHA Peeling solution, which works better for me than the huge brand names that cost a fortune & their glycolic acid toning solution, which is one of the best toners I've ever tried! Their products work, period & their prices are extremely low considering how well they actually work, plus there are no bad side effects nor purging for me! Mostly all are effective & give me no purging or problems! Other favs are their niacinamide serum, hyaluronic acid serum & moisturizer, rose hip oil, moisturizers, face masks, ALL of these products have thoroughly worked for me, with no irritation & because of the consistent results & their consistently lower prices, I ALWAYS go back to these! It's simple for me because overall their products work amazingly well for me & you can't beat their prices!

I’ve been using this product for a little over a week now and am happy to report that it is so delightful to work with. It is fragrance free and does so quickly. I’m hopeful to see increased hair density, based on my experience with other The Ordinary products.

I´ve been using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for two month now, and I’m more than happy. My skin feels noticeably more hydrated, plump, and smooth. I apply it to damp skin morning and night, and it absorbs quickly without feeling sticky or heavy. I also love the clean the ingredient list is — no fragrance, no nonsense. Overall, a great, affordable staple in any skincare routine.

The glycolic acid is fantastic for clearing up my dandruff and the strawberry skin on my arms and legs. The hyaluronic acid helps protect and moisturize my face after using my retinol. The pricing is perfect the only downside was shipping took a little while but that could have been the winter storm that hit right after I placed the order.

I’ve been using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid for a few weeks, and my skin feels smoother and brighter. It’s gentle enough for regular use, but you do feel the tingling at first. My texture and dullness have improved noticeably, though I always follow with sunscreen. Definitely a simple, effective exfoliator.

Works amazing for acne prone skin. Dries the areas that are built up and causing acne. The product lasts a long time. Cleared my skin, and I will continue to buy and use this product daily. I highly recommend!

I really enjoyed using azelaic acid and was pleasantly surprised by its texture and performance. It spreads very easily on the skin, absorbs well, and feels lightweight without leaving any greasy or heavy residue. The texture is smooth and comfortable, making it easy to layer with other skincare products. What stood out the most to me was how quickly I noticed results. My skin looked more even, calmer, and less irritated in a short period of time. It also helped reduce redness and improved overall skin texture without causing sensitivity. Overall, it’s a gentle yet effective product that delivers visible results and fits perfectly into a daily skincare routine.

I really like this toner. It is refreshing, gentle, and leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated. I’ve noticed my complexion looks more balanced since I started using it, and it works well with the rest of my morning routine. The only thing I don’t love is that my skin can feel a little sticky right after applying it. Once it fully absorbs, it’s fine, but that initial stickiness is something to be aware of. On the plus size I love that I can squirt it onto the cotton ball, no lid to fuss with. Overall, it’s a great product with just one small drawback.