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The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum for dry sensitive skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Highly suitable for your dry and sensitive skin as Ethyl Linoleate and Brassica Campestris Sterols provide emollient action and barrier repair, while Niacinamide and Bisabolol soothe redness and enhance barrier resilience.
  • The inclusion of Asiaticoside and Panthenyl Triacetate further supports barrier function and reduces inflammation, addressing your dry or flaky skin concerns.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
  • Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised for its ability to rapidly repair damaged skin barriers, hydrate dry patches, and reduce redness, leaving a glowy finish.

Highlights

  • Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
    • “skin felt plumped”
    • “super hydrated”
    • “boost in hydration”
  • Reduces redness Often Mentioned
    • “calmed down my skin”
    • “rashes subsided instantaneously”
    • “reduced look of redness”
  • Repairs skin barrier Often Mentioned
    • “heals damaged barrier”
    • “skin feels stronger”
    • “soothed irritation”
  • Glowy finish Sometimes Noted
    • “gives a nice glow”
    • “dewy finish”
    • “glass skin effect”
  • Good absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs pretty fast”
    • “not sticky”
    • “silky feel”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “small pustules all over”
    • “caused tiny whiteheads”
    • “broke me out”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “didn't notice a difference”
    • “no reduction in redness”
    • “did nothing”
  • Packaging complaints Rarely Noted
    • “dropper is messy”
    • “prefer a pump”
    • “hard to apply”
  • Texture issues Rarely Noted
    • “sticky on application”
    • “gloopy texture”
    • “pilling under makeup”
  • Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
    • “smells like yeast”
    • “whiff of cardboard”
    • “smells like beeswax”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, theordinary.com, sephora.com, reddit.com, independent.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

This serum is a great fit because Ethyl Linoleate and Brassica Campestris Sterols smooth dry skin and help repair its barrier, while Niacinamide and Bisabolol calm redness. It also contains Asiaticoside and Panthenyl Triacetate to support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, helping keep your skin comfortable and soft.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

This serum is a great fit because ingredients like Ethyl Linoleate and Brassica Campestris Sterols smooth dry skin and repair the skin barrier, while Niacinamide and Bisabolol help calm redness. Additionally, components such as Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, and Panthenyl Triacetate support barrier strength and help reduce inflammation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012

What does Niacinamide do for dry sensitive skin?

Niacinamide helps dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and keeping moisture locked in so your face feels soft and smooth. It works to build up your skin barrier and calm redness while being very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013

What does Asiaticoside do for dry sensitive skin?

Asiaticoside helps calm dry sensitive skin by reducing redness and soothing irritation while supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works to keep the skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening helps keep things simple and gives extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help calm and hydrate your skin before using retinol. This routine helps reduce the redness and dryness that retinol often causes.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this serum?

This serum is used in the evening as part of your routine. It helps calm redness and supports skin barrier function while keeping dry and flaky skin comfortable.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This serum is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin, but reviewers do mention that it can sometimes cause breakouts. Its soothing ingredients and safe formula are unlikely to irritate, yet individual reactions to rich textures can still happen.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Bakuchiol and ethyl (linoleate/oleate) synergistically inhibit eCB degradation to favor eCB mobilization and repress inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes.

    JID Innovations, 2023
  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • The novel high-payload nanosuspension system of Centella asiatica extract increased skin accumulation of asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside by 5-, 4-, and 4.5-fold respectively compared to a marketed cream in porcine skin, with no local skin irritation in normal rats.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2008

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Anhydroxylitol, Ethyl Linoleate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Naringenin, Cyanocobalamin, Panthenyl Triacetate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Bisabolol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Sphingolipids, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Xylitol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Dicetyl Phosphate, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the 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.

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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

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