The Ordinary reviews and discussion

4.5

93% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Ingredient-transparent formulations
  • Clinically effective actives
  • Minimalist, fragrance-free options
  • Wide, customizable range
  • Occasional sticky textures
  • Potential irritation from actives
  • Hit-or-miss product efficacy
  • Confusing layering for beginners

The Ordinary earns strong reviews for being effective and ingredient-focused: many users report clearer, smoother, more hydrated skin from staples 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 or pill, certain actives (retinoids, vitamin C, high-percentage acids) can irritate or be too harsh, results can be hit-or-miss by product or skin type, and the range can be confusing without research.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

2,506 reviews and posts

  • This brand has amazing quality products at very low prices. I would recommend

    Feedback

    Nothing needs to change with this brand! Love it

  • I think that the Ordinary is a great brand, especially for its price point. I've tried multiple products from The Ordinary, many I've loved, and a few just simply did not work for me. That doesn't mean that their line is not great, just not all of their products were fit for my skin type. I think their affordability and great quality is what makes this brand really stand out in addition to offering a large line that can fix a multitude of skin concerns.

  • My experience with The Ordinary has been extremely positive. I use their products every day for both skincare and hair maintenance, and have noticed a significant improvement in the health and appearance of both. The products are affordable and effective, making them a great value for the price. One of the things I appreciate most about The Ordinary is the transparency and simplicity of their product offerings. Rather than relying on buzzwords or marketing gimmicks, they focus on delivering high-quality, science-backed ingredients that are proven to deliver results. The packaging is also straightforward and minimalist, which I find both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Overall, my experience with The Ordinary has been excellent and I would highly recommend their products to anyone looking for effective and affordable skincare and haircare solutions.

    Feedback

    While I love The Ordinary and their products, there are a few areas where I believe they could improve to make their brand even better. First, it would be helpful if the brand provided more guidance and information on how to use their products effectively. While the products are straightforward and easy to use, some users may benefit from more detailed instructions on how to incorporate them into their skincare or haircare routines. Second, it would be great if the brand offered more variety in terms of product formats. While their current offerings are effective, some users may prefer different textures or consistencies for their specific needs. Finally, it would be nice if The Ordinary expanded their product offerings to include more solutions for specific skincare or haircare concerns. While their current products are great for general maintenance and improvement, some users may require more targeted solutions for issues like acne, rosacea, or thinning hair. Overall, The Ordinary is an excellent brand with high-quality and affordable products. With some improvements in guidance and product offerings, they have the potential to become an even more valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skincare and haircare routines.

  • I love the caffeine eye serum! It really works for me, and it's a great price

  • Sometimes their product isn't the nicest feeling to use. (Vitamin C was a bit grainy, and the peeling solution was pretty painful to use).

  • My favorite product is the niacinamide serum which does such a good job of calming my skin and keeping it in check. Totally worth trying and definitely worth the money!!

  • I work in dermatology as a MA and I can say that I recommend these products to everyone. They are well tested with clinical results. The price is really fair for what you get.

    Feedback

    Best low price dermatology recommended products that actually work

  • I’ve been using The Ordinary for years now! They’re an extremely affordable skincare brand and great for beginner building. I use the Glycolic Acid Toner, Retinol Serum 1% in my nightly routines and have noticed a significant change to my skin texture and wrinkles!

  • This product line is perfect for the beginner skincare addict. You can reach out to customer service to come up with a routine. It's inexpensive so you can try many different product types,

    Feedback

    Reach out to customer service to come up with a routine for you.

    Experience
  • I use to The Ordinary a lot back when I first got into skincare so it’s great for beginners. I realized I prefer more put together formulations but the brand is great when you’re looking for simple more targeted products. I always keep their Copper Peptides in my stash since it’s a very affordable copper peptides compared to their more expensive NIOD version. They’ve also come out with some new products that I highly recommend everyone checkout. Great brand for those wanting to dip their toes in skincare since it’s literally the most affordable brand on the market.

    Feedback

    I think they’re doing a great job currently of coming out with some innovative and simple products. Keep doing what you’re doing!

  • Half of my skincare mini fridge is The Ordinary. I started by using the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and it's easily one of my favorite moisturizers. I now use that plus the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and the Glycolic Acid 7%Toning Solution daily.

  • The Ordinary offers a great range of products for some of the most affordable prices on the market. Some standout products from them are the niacinamide and zinc serum or the hyaluronic acid serum.

    Feedback

    Typically each product only contains one or two active ingredients, meaning you’ll probably need to layer multiple products in your routine. Given the wide variety of products and that you’ll probably be using multiple, it can be a little confusing which pair together and what order to use them in.

  • I’m a huge fan of The Ordinary and cannot recommend their products more highly. I was initially skeptical of the quality because of the price (isn’t self-care supposed to be debilitatingly expensive?!?) but finally gave in to my friends urging and tried a few products. Now I’m a lifelong stan — such great quality, impressive results, and clean, sleek packaging. Love love love.

    Feedback

    The formulations can be a bit confusing to differentiate from one another, but once you find the right combo for your needs you’re good to go.

  • Their stuff is AMAZING quality, good price for what you get

    Feedback

    Love this brand

  • I do enjoy using the products but so far I haven’t discovered a product that I would repurchase. I have recently purchased the The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 30ml (which is enjoyable to apply, but tends to get a bit more ‘sticky’ while drying), and I have had the The Ordinary AHA 30% en BHA 2% Peeling Solution and the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for a while now and both are kind of the same story. Enjoyable to use but not necessarily game changers for me. Although I might try to use the toning solution as a deodorant as some have suggested/tipped.

    Feedback

    Price-quality wise I think the products are definitely worth it, although for me personally I haven’t noticed much difference whilst using the products.

  • I like that this company has affordable versions of skin care products, but sometimes the ingredients lists make me wonder how helpful they actually are for your skin. The hyalauronic acid serum tends to pill on my skin, but I am a fan of their multi peptide “Buffet” serum.

  • The products are affordable but less effective than I would like. I would rather pay a bit more for a better quality product.