The Ordinary reviews and discussion

4.5

93% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Effective acne-clearing serums
  • Straightforward ingredient labeling
  • Noticeably smoothing exfoliants
  • Gentle, hydrating cleansers
  • Occasional sticky serum texture
  • Irritating high-strength acids
  • Pilling under makeup layers
  • Confusing ingredient naming

The Ordinary earns strong reviews for effective, ingredient-forward skincare that improves texture, acne, oil control, and hydration—standouts include Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, Squalane Cleanser, and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. However, reviews also flag weaknesses: some formulas feel sticky or pill, certain actives (retinol, high-percentage acids/niacinamide) can irritate or dry skin if misused, results vary by product, and the technical lineup can overwhelm beginners.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

2,517 reviews and posts

  • i love the ordinary’s products mainly because they’re perfect for “first time skincare” and they work well. their hylaraunic acid serum cleared my acne within a week. if you have acne or blemishes or dry/combination skin or rosacea then this is perfect for you

    Received a free product from The Ordinary
  • Used it on my dark spots and it helped me soo much

  • I like this product I tried silicone primer and love on my face definitely recommend .glycolic acid is good to

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • It completely saved my skin, I recommend this product for who suffers from acne it really helped my skin clear up.

  • Didn’t think much at the beginning. But after using the products it really helped calm my skin. It feels smooth.

    Received a free product from The Ordinary
  • Great price but have no idea what to do with it.

    Bought
  • The ordinary is inexpensive and does the job. I would recommend it to new skincare users. Its not the best of the best skincare, but their cleansers and retinols are nice for the price.

  • Products are great and affordable.

  • I have used this for facial acne, I have oily skin and it worked really nice to tame the oil and clear me up.

  • I use this rather than the SC CEF version and I can't tell the difference personally. It also smells less like hot dogs, which is a plus.

  • This cleanser is soooo nice. It removes light makeup, even mascara and leaves my skin feeling so soft and moisturized. I love this product!

  • Their products are all cutting edge and the prices can’t be beat!

  • Excellent clean products at a very reasonable price! My go-to

  • The ordinary AHA and BHA peel ( the red thick syrup like stuff) is incredibly effective. I'd advise to use it as suggested it has powerful ingredients and can harm your skin if left on too long or if done improperly ( says not mix with water) ... With that being said my skin is very sensitive and reactive but this stuff works like a charm, sometimes my face with be a bit flushed if left on longer than normal but quickly goes away. Great for blackheads and oily skin, congestion, and it tightens and firms ya up for the best price point around!!

  • I've been buying the Ordinary for years now and honestly it's the only brand that consistently keens my skin clear and in great condition. My favourite part about them (aside from their insanely reasonably pricing) is the helpful self-test on their website, which led me to buy my holy trinity of products giving me the clearest skin I've had consistently in a long time (Squalene cleanser, Niacinimide and AHA/BHA moisturiser). All for £26, and it's lasted me about 6 weeks. Honestly could not recommend more.

  • This is to shout out the 2% Behentrimonium Chloride conditioner specifically - I don’t think their hair products get enough love. I’ve tried so many different conditioners and this one is the only one I buy on repeat now. Yes, the bottle looks small, but the conditioner inside is surprisingly dense and spreads well so it actually lasts me a decent time despite having a *lot* of thick hair. Amy Chang on IG also gave it the thumbs up!

  • Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid has made an enormous difference in my rosacea. You do need to keep up with consistent use, but with The Ordinary products being so affordable, it’s a no brainer.

  • In my skincare routine, the Ordinary has been a staple for years. I've used many of their products, but I keep coming back to the hyaluronic acid, the vampire serum (AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution) and the peptide serum. "Buffet" serum was my favorite until it was discontinued :( This is a great brand with consistent quality and results.

  • I love this brand. Affordable, recognizable, and simple. The hyaluronic acid and the daily moisturizer are staples for me that I can trust. I use glycolic acid after shaving and on my back- effective!

  • I love all of The Ordinary's products. I have so many I've lost count and can't even remember all the names of them. I've been using these products for almost 3 years now. After about 6 months my husband mentioned what a difference he could tell in the tone, color and texture of my skin. It balances everything out and has helped reduce/slow down fine lines. And they're incredibly inexpensive in comparison to most other products on the market.