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

  • Some really great gems with this brand for an amazing price. Love the Squalane Cleanser and Rosehip Oil.

  • Their price point and ingredient accessibility is probably the best on the market. I've used a lot of their products before, however, I don't think any at this point stand out for me. It feels conflicting the price of their products and then seeing mixed reviews online.

    Feedback

    I wish their products were sold at beauty stores, that reward you for loyalty. For example in Australia we have Mecca, it would be nice to see their product line in their stores to help with points and rewards.

  • Overall I love trying to make high quality products affordable. I've tried a bunch and they are hit or miss. Some of the texture on the products are a little grainy but overall strong brand and will recommend/buy certain products.

  • There are better companies for skincare products, but The Ordinary is the best place to start. The price point lets you try ingredients and formulas to see what's best, especially if you hesitant about investing in a more expensive product with the same ingredients.

  • I have tried several different serums from The Ordinary and I love how affordable they are. However, they don't seem to do anything life-changing. I feel like when I have switched to different serums I have actually seen a difference in my skin

    Feedback

    I think it's a great brand for starting out and building a routine, but if you have more problematic skin I wouldn't recommend it.

  • Never fails me! I enjoy the transparency about ingredients and the strong communication about where different products fit into a skin care routine. It's easy to figure out what products work best for different issues, and how to use different products together. The price point is hard to beat, but there's nothing lost in terms of packaging or experience. The bottles are still glass and the droppers haven't done me wrong! This company is a great entry point into skincare, and even as I fine tune my routine, I still find myself coming back to products from the Ordinary.

  • I love the simplicity of single ingredient compounds so get just what you need and not some formulation with a bunch of hidden chemicals.

  • simple, straightforward products at a super price. No fancy packaging, no crazy perfumes, just products that say what they are and work.

  • I love how The Ordinary is very minimalistic and serves its purpose. The products very simply, do their job. I have used The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toning solution, the lash and brow serum, and the peeling solution. For me, I did see a difference in longer lashes, but not much of a difference in my brows.

  • For $10, the glycolic acid is a great value for how much you get. One bottle could last a whole year, plus the minimalist bottle design looks great on any shelf. No need to buy directly from site, usually Sephora has the whole line in stock.

  • I have used the hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, rose hip seed oil, squalene, and the glycolic acid from the ordinary. All of the products were effective for me and I like the packaging, especially at the price point!

    Feedback

    I have had experiences where the dropper bottles do not seem to stay sealed completely during travel. Making something a little more portable would be awesome!

  • I've purchased several things from this company (specifically the salicylic acid, a retinol, the cleanser, and the moisturizer) I've never been particularly jazzed with anything, but I've also never had any negative reaction to them. The products work well, but they're very much zero frill products. I can't knock them on this - if I ever have an allergic reaction to a new product, this would be my next purchase.

  • For the price point these are really good products. I started using this line when I first became interested in skin care and fixing my acne/dark spots but I highly suggest going on their site first and figuring out what you need. I used the line for acne prone skin at first but then it dried me out too much. Now my skin is great and I still use the glycolic acid in my routine even though I've moved on to other brands.

    Feedback

    Maybe sell things in packages so people don't mix the ingredients incorrectly.

  • The prices on these products can’t be beat, especially considering how effective they are. The eyelash/eyebrow serum works wonders!

    Feedback

    The names of the products can be a little confusing, more clarity on what they should be used for would be helpful.

  • Good quality, affordable skin care with high level actives. Available in priceline in Australia so super accessible, however, they do not carry the full range. My favourite product is the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG for under eyes.

    Feedback

    The packaging for the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is not perfect for the formula type. Unfortunately the neck of the bottle gets 'crusty' with product, even when I clean it off after use. However, the formula is so good I keep buying.

  • I loved the ordinary. Their products are straightforward and so much more affordable than many other skincare brands.

  • I love every Ordinary product I've ever tried. They are high end products that are so affordable. The Niacinamide 10% and Granactive Retinol 2% Emulsion are in my routine and my skin has never looked better!

  • amazing skincare that is super straightforward and doesn’t mess around. love the clean looking packaging and the price point is excellent. love how the moisturizer feels on my skin it is my favorite skincare get.

  • I love my Ordinary products! They are so affordable but high quality. I have not tried a product I don’t like and I cannot wait to try more. At their price point, I will be a repeat customer for many years.

  • I have tried many of their products and they are all really nice and the pricing is great.