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

2,516 reviews and posts

  • I use The Ordinary AHA/BHA peel about once a week and I love it - I feel like it makes my skin so much softer and it seems like it helps keep my pores unclogged when used regularly. It's very affordable and lasts a long time.

    Feedback

    The solution is a little runny and sometimes gets in my mouth, and it tastes really bitter/bad. LOL

  • Clean, chic packaging. Products that work & feel great. Not travel friendly.

  • Pretty good products at very affordable and accessible price points!

  • It's a good start for those who are wanting to look deeper into the skincare products they buy (e.g. discovering ingredients that you want to implement into your skincare routine) but I think their competitor Paula's Choice offer more effective results with similar ingredients. However, the pricing for The Ordinary is so budget-friendly, it's a good stepping stone to better skincare, but a stepping stone nonetheless.

    Feedback

    Providing more information about the results of their products, I might be sucked into Paula's marketing gimmicks but I can't help but feel like they are more effective than The Ordinary products.

  • I tried the retinol and niacinimide serums. I felt that they were just ok. Very affordable, but I didn't notice any change in the my skin. I stopped using it after a while because it felt like a waste of time.

  • I think the ordinary is a great brand. They're transparent and super affordable without missing out on quality. Best hyaluronic acid serum. Also love the AHA BHA Peeling Solution.

    Feedback

    I wish the individual items were larger. I'd rather pay double for double the product and not waste so much packaging. I think the website could also use some work. There are just so many products that the navigation gets overwhelming.

  • It's amazing how simple and effective these products are for the price. Before I was on prescription skincare, I used this brand and it worked almost as well as my prescription.

  • The Ordinary is everything you want in a skincare brand. They are no-fuss and so affordable. I personally use the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% morning and night and it's done miracles for my acne prone skin. I would highly recommend for anyone that struggles with acne as it helps reduce sebum production.

    Feedback

    Nothing at all! Love it!

  • I love The Ordinary! Their products are great for my sensitive combination skin and they have not irritated my face or caused break outs. I prefer their skincare products to other brands because I value their ingredients.

  • I’m a huge Ordinary fan! This brand has replaced so many of my beauty products now. I can’t believe how much I had been paying for the same products with other brands. I am all about the ingredients now with my products and The Ordinary does not disappoint.

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • Love Ordinary products. They are high quality but at a price point everyone can afford. I’ve been using the Niacinamide and have seen an improvement in my skin’s texture. Excited to try their other products.

  • I love the approachable pricing and how this brand takes away the brand name but not the quality. I tried the niacinimide solution as it worked well and didn’t make me break out. As someone who is new to skincare, I liked this one!

  • Good products and varied products for multiple uses. I have not yet used them long enough to know how effective they actually are.

  • I do not recommend AHA 30% + BHA 2% PEELING for skin on the sensitive and dry side as it is way too aggressive. I did not see a difference with their Caffeine Eye Serum. At least it is gentle to the skin.

  • I love ordinary. Simple ingredient. effective. not overpriced. I like it.

  • I really appreciate The Ordinary's straightforward approach to skincare. Their focus on high-quality, effective ingredients at accessible prices is refreshing. I love how they provide transparency about their formulations, making understanding what each product does easy. Plus, the variety of options allows everyone to find what works best for their skin type! It could improve by offering more comprehensive guides or tutorials on how to use their products together for best results. Some users might also appreciate a wider range of products tailored for specific skin concerns, like sensitive skin or anti-aging. Overall, though, they’re doing a great job in the skincare space!

  • Have never used a product from this line that I didn’t love and use to the last drop. Especially love the glycolic acid.

  • I love the glycolic acid is the best product! I use it on my face and my under arms. Helps tremendously with my armpits. Best product!

  • Excellent product and worth buying again. I was satisfied with the quality, may even be better than what I normally purchase. I would definitely buy this again and will be trying the varieties offered.

  • Used The Ordinary Glycolic Acid on my strawberry legs and underarms per my dermatologist's recommendation, and I absolutely loved it! Saw an immediate improvement in skin texture and smoothness within 2 weeks. Definitely a game-changer in my routine!