The Ordinary Review

3 models tracked · 61 model-level owner comments · 1854 brand-level owner comments

3.6 review-weighted average of The Ordinary model scores

Should you buy The Ordinary?

Shortlist The Ordinary if

  • acne matters (10 positive mentions)
  • value matters (7 positive mentions)
  • irritation matters (7 positive mentions)

Look elsewhere if

  • acne is a deal-breaker (4 critical mentions)
  • irritation is a deal-breaker (3 critical mentions)
  • brightening is a deal-breaker (3 critical mentions)

Most positive and most critical owner comments

“- Your AM routine looks solid, but again I’d consider replacing Cetaphil cream with a barrier cream (Illyoon and Aestura are super popular here) - STOP everything for at least a week, hyaluronic acid + barrier cream AM and PM and nothing else - Have you ever…”
owner comment via r/tretinoin · 2026-03-04
“* Actives: The Ordinary Retinoid (2x per week) and Ketoconazole (as needed for seborrheic dermatitis).”
owner comment via r/30PlusSkinCare · 2026-01-02

What owners say about the brand overall

“A compromised barrier is the number one issue I see in my clients on a daily basis.”
owner comment via r/SkincareAddicts · 2025-11-01
acne
“For the ones that are just scabs with no sebum left in them, La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume heals my face faster than anything I've tried.”
owner comment via r/SkincareAddicts · 2025-11-02
texture
“Sounds like your derm is not doing so great on the "informed patient" front.”
owner comment via r/SkincareAddicts · 2025-11-03

The Ordinary lineup, best first

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% product photo
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

3.7 (43 owner comments)

$6.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)

acneirritation

“Any higher % can be irritating, and I think is often why people say they’re sensitive to Niacinamide.”

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The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion product photo
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

3.4 (9 owner comments)

$12.10 (price as of 2026-11-07)

acnetexture

“I love The Ordinary’s granactive retinoid emulsion 2%.”

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The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% product photo
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

3.2 (9 owner comments)

$24.40 (price as of 2026-11-07)

acnevalue

“i use the cerave foaming cleanser > tirtir milk skin toner light > dr ceracule vegan kombucha tea essence > numbuzin no.5 vitamin serum > the ordinary”

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Price range observed: $6.00 to $24.40.