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 still haven’t received my order yet and it has been over 3 weeks or 4 weeks and i have sent them an email and they never reply and i tried contacting them but they won’t answer and my order hasn’t even been shipped yet or picked up it’s still with them please do not order from them very bad customer service

  • Great product line. I know I can trust. Helped me create a daily skin care routine.

  • Products are easy on the skin, cost effective, right size to not waste or go bad. The lash and brow serum is amazing! I only use it for my brows but what a difference it has made.

  • This is a pretty great brand overall. They have some really solid, inexpensive basic products like glycolic acid, which works great, organic rose hip seed oil and hyaluronic acid etc all for pretty cheap that have worked really well for me. The other mixes I don’t use as often but I do hear people like those as well.

  • I love the price point and the ability to customize a skincare routine by ingredient

  • I use a number of The Ordinary skincare products but my favorite is the moisturizer. It is the perfect thing for a dry winter night. I also love my ordinary caffeine under eye serum.

  • I love all their products but especially their toner. I have been using it for years and it's helps my skin stay clear of acne.

  • Products work great!

  • I have nothing but good things to say about everything I've tried from here. And I've tried a lot. Their squalene cleanser is my favorite. I typically react to products around my eyes, to the point where I can only wear mascara a few times a year at most. Shadow? Liner? Forget it. Skin products.. never. I can actually use this cleanser and it works. It doesn't irritate. And I can finally get mascara off without making my eyes swell the next day, on those rare times I do wear it. I love their buffet - improves the look and texture of my skin without irritating it. I've used 2 moisturizers and really liked both. Can't complain about the price either. My only thing is that I wish it was a bit easier to figure out what goes with what, how much to use, and what products are for. I look online, figure out a routine, and then write it on the bottles.. not ideal, but I think it's just a reality of the fact that they're separate ingredients and not multi-serums and products.

  • I’ve tried several products. I love the vitamin c treatment. It feels like a primer on your skin. It has lightened my sun spots over time. I’ve tried one of the face masks, cleanser, toner, polyglutanic acid. All are really nice and well priced

  • The Ordinary has yet to make a product I don’t like. The Hyaluronic Acid is amazing and the price points are very affordable. The Lactic Acid is one of my favorites. Skin Care does not have to be expensive to work.

  • Very low price point for products and great if you need a simple routine. I don’t think these products would be a go to for just any skin type though.

  • One of my holy grail skincare brands! I LOVE their products. Some of my faves are the Glycolic acid toner, hyaluronic acid, the multi-peptide eye serum etc. You also can't beat the price. Skincare that works for the low, sign me up, please! Try it if you haven't already- they have something for every skin type

  • I'm a huge the Ordinary fan, I love how affordable and effective their products are, you simply can't go wrong and you can't stop using them once you start. It has really helped my skin texture and it has improved my skin barrier, not to mention the help with my acne scars. I totally recommend it

  • I went from using expensive NIOD products to The Ordinary instead! I feel like I am getting the same product at a friendlier price point. I use exclusively the Squalane Cleanser and though it was really hard to find here in Sweden for the last few months, I managed to stock up when I was recently in Chicago. It is really the perfect cleanser to use together with my Foreo Luna cleansing device. I also use the Marine Hyaluronic serum, the caffeine eye serum, Ethylated Ascorbic acid 15% and Niacinimide+zinc on a regular basis. Once in a while I will do the Salicylic acid 2% masque if I have a flare-up breakout on my jawline. I feel like it is much easier to adjust moisture balance by using more or less of the different serums in different seasons, and nothing ever feels oily or has an effect on what little makeup I actually wear on top of it.

  • I’ve been happy with the majority of the Ordinary products I have tried. I’m currently using the squaline cleanser the HA moisturizer and the buffering serum.

  • I'm an avid user of The Ordinary products because of how affordable the brand is. I love the minimal packaging paired with functional ingredients. The one product I constantly come back to is the Glycolic Acid Toner. It has done wonders for my textured and discolored skin.

  • Love these products. They are a cheap alternative to the brand name product

  • i absolutely love the ordinary. I use the plant squalane religiously. I highly reccomend this for dry acne prone skin.

    Friends with The Ordinary
  • Good products at a great price point. Love their cleansers and moisturizers. Their more targeted skincare is not as effective as I would have hoped.