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

  • For me, this product did not do much for my skin. I do respect the company for the simplicity to understand what each product is, and the pricing is fantastic. I enjoy companies that are accessible financially. I look for more exciting packaging, which is why I did not continue to use this product. I think this product is good those who want high quality products at an affordable price!

  • Unlock the extraordinary with The Ordinary! ✨🔑 Elevate your skincare routine with their no-nonsense, effective products. Each formula is a powerhouse, simplifying skincare without compromising on results. Say goodbye to complexity and hello to visible, radiant changes. Your skin deserves The Ordinary's extraordinary touch. 🌟💆‍♀️

  • I really enjoy using the glycolipid cream cleanser! Out of all their products, it's my favourite. The texture is silky and soft, which feels great on my skin. I also appreciate the natural scent.

  • I use their niacinamide serum. So affordable and works well!

  • It's affordable, but I can't see much difference after using it. My fav is the cleanser 10/10

  • I really really wanted to love all the Ordinary products I've tried over the years, but consistently they just don't have any effect. Often times they're sticky or hard to layer with other products due to consistency, pilling, etc. I love their pricing, hence the two stars instead of one, but it's hard to justify any price when I give each product a minimum of three months to show any signs of being effective and not a single one of them has been.

  • Really phenomal brand. Pleasing design, appreciate the scientific approach, great value.

  • Really great products for the price. I like that the brand is innovating into new categories. I wish the packaging was a little nicer. I find that with some of the serums the product becomes oxidized quickly but that is my only complaint

  • Love all the products I have tried from this brand. Great affordable quality products!!

  • Really nice cheap alternative to extremely expensive products on the market. While I don't know that it's as/more effective than its alternatives, I do think it does its job fairly well and at a really accessible price point.

  • LOVE this brand - Incredibly reasonbly priced, simple skincare solution. The Hylauroinic acid is my favorite base layer on my skin - light and spreads/absorbs easily, so you can layer other mositurizers/serusms/makeup on top. I put this on my favce twice a day immediately after washing, and it leaves the skin feeling plump and refreshed Creamide hydrating night treatment keeps my skin smooth, even and moisturized at night. Feels like a protective barrier, but need to make sure to wash it off in the am (you can feel it washing off). It seems to hep me with removing discoloation from acne/sun, keeping wrinkles at bay and lessening the appearance of white/blackheads. Recently tried the caffeine eye cream, as my dermatologiest was suggesting something of a similar size that cost about 10x. While I dont beleive there is any miracle product that removes under eye circles, it worked about as well as the overpriced sample I recived to lessen the puffy and dark circles to a more tolerable appearace (as in, looks like I only missed one night of sleep, not a fortnight)

  • This cleanser has been genuinely life-changing. I have incredibly sensitive, dry, acne prone skin, and had been searching for a cleanser that would take off my makeup without stripping my skin or causing irritation. The squalene cleanser is perfect - my skin feels so clean after using this followed by my prescribed cleanser. I've seen huge improvements in the appearance of my skin over the past three months I've been using this product.

  • The only product I have tried from the ordinary has been their niacinimide serum so I’m judging my review solely off of that. Overall the product worked very well with my skin and left it feeling soft and rejuvenated. The product itself was very reasonably priced and overall I would recommend them to anyone!

  • it felt nice on my skin! didn’t notice huge difference from other brands

  • This should be recommended for everything but the face. I use this on my underarms for my odor & inner thighs for my dark pigmentation & they have both been working wonders.

  • The hyaluronic acid serum and niacinamide serum have been staples in my skincare routine for years. The hyaluronic acid makes my skin feel deeply moisturized, especially during the dry winter season. I struggle with redness in my skin, and the niacinamide serum has helped sooth my skin significantly. I have also used the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for a long time, which always leaves my skin looking visibly smoother and brighter. I am still amazed by how affordable The Ordinary's products are in comparison to how well they work. Additionally, I really appreciate the brand's transparency in regards to their formulations and ingredients; as a chemist, I value the descriptions of each chemical in individual products which are listed on The Ordinary's website. The website is very user friendly, and easy to navigate if one would like to formulate a new skincare routine based on specific skin concerns. I have ordered products directly from The Ordinary's website multiple times, and have never had shipping issues.

  • Love this brand,eveything they make is not just quality but also safe. Really have no complaints with this brand!