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The Ordinary skincare

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

The Ordinary's products on this page cover serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Ordinary products fit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% highest; for skin with dark spots, the Mandelic Acid 10% + HA; and for mature skin, the Lactic Acid 5% + HA. Its key ingredients: hyaluronic acid lengthens the duration of wrinkle reduction, glycerin significantly increases skin hydration and barrier function, and squalane increases epidermal thickness and collagen production.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Scientific Reports, 2020

This page covers some of the most popular The Ordinary products; for the whole The Ordinary range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

The Ordinary serums and treatments

The Ordinary moisturizers

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 90.1k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise The Ordinary for deep hydration, improved skin texture, and affordability. The most common complaints are pilling under makeup and skin irritation.

Highlights

  • Other praised benefits Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “glass skin effect — Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “lasts forever — Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Texture-smoothing serums Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin looks smoother and brighter — Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “Glass skin effect — Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Affordable and great value serums Often Mentioned
    • “can't beat the price — Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “great value for price — AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Acne-clearing serums Often Mentioned
    • “pimples disappear within a day — Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “cleared up my cystic acne — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Gentle and non-irritating serums Often Mentioned
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive skin. — Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion”
    • “Gentle on sensitive skin — Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
  • Dark spot fading serums Often Mentioned
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “helped lighten post-acne scars — Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Other complaints Often Mentioned
    • “no change in pigment — Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “Struggles to get my waterproof mascara off completely. — Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Sticky or tacky finishes Sometimes Noted
    • “feels very sticky — Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “tacky residue — Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb — Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Pilling issues Sometimes Noted
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “peels off like PVA glue — Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “It will show pilling — Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.co.uk, theordinary.com, influenster.com, lookfantastic.ie, and more

Other The Ordinary products

Questions and answers

Is The Ordinary good for oily skin?

Lovi rates The Ordinary High for oily skin. The The Ordinary products on this page help keep oily skin balanced and clear.

Is The Ordinary worth it?

The Ordinary is worth it for shoppers seeking affordable options, as prices on this page range from six dollars to thirty-three dollars and fifty-five cents with most falling between nine dollars and fifty cents and fourteen dollars and fifty cents. Reviewers frequently praise the brand for offering great value serums alongside texture-smoothing and acne-clearing benefits. Additionally, Lovi rates the brand's fit as High for dry skin and dry sensitive skin, and Superior for oily skin.

Which The Ordinary moisturizer is best for dry skin?

Lovi rates Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA as Superior for dry skin, making it the best choice among the brand's moisturizers on this page. Other top options include Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan and Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides, which also hold Superior fit levels for dry skin.

Does The Ordinary cause breakouts?

The Ordinary products on this page do not typically cause breakouts, as the range features acne-clearing serums and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates the brand high for acne-prone skin, and reviewers frequently mention that these gentle formulas help keep skin smooth and clear.

Is The Ordinary fragrance-free?

Yes, every product from The Ordinary on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the key ingredients in The Ordinary products?

The key ingredients across the The Ordinary products on this page are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane.

Where can I buy The Ordinary, and how much does it cost?

The Ordinary products on this page are available on Amazon US. Prices range from $6.00 to $33.55, with most items falling between $9.50 and $14.50.

What are good alternatives to The Ordinary?

Similar brands with pages on Lovi include Skinfix, MAC, ILIA Beauty, AlumierMD, grace & stella, and Luna Nectar. Reviewers often note that these brands offer comparable skincare options.

Who owns The Ordinary, and where is it from?

The Ordinary is a Canadian brand founded in 2016, owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Is The Ordinary cruelty-free?

Yes: PETA lists The Ordinary as cruelty-free.

PETA

Is The Ordinary vegan?

Yes: PETA lists The Ordinary as a vegan company.

PETA

Is The Ordinary good for dry skin?

Yes, Lovi rates The Ordinary High for dry skin, as the brand features multiple deeply hydrating moisturizers and cleansers tailored for this skin type. Clinical evidence shows that topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient found across the range, helps improve skin quality and combat signs of dryness.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which The Ordinary cleanser is best for oily skin?

Lovi rates the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser as the best choice for oily skin, followed by the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser as a high-fit option and the Squalane Cleanser as an average fit.

Is The Ordinary good for sensitive skin?

Yes, The Ordinary rates High to Superior for sensitive skin across many of its products, including the Soothing & Barrier Support Serum and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Additionally, all the The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Is The Ordinary good for skin with dark spots?

Lovi rates The Ordinary High for skin with dark spots. Reviewers often mention its dark spot fading serums, and ingredients like niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Research behind The Ordinary's key ingredients

Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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