So, if you’ve ever kinda peeked into skincare world (or just got sucked into YouTube and Insta), you’ve probably heard about The Ordinary. That brand with all those weirdly named bottles and crazy cheap prices that make you wonder “how is this even real?”
I remember when I first saw it. Everyone was talking about their serums that cost like 6 bucks and supposedly worked miracles. I was like, no way that’s legit, but of course I caved and bought some stuff anyway. Fast forward and now I’ve tried a bunch of their products (some I liked, some I didn’t, some I totally didn’t know how to use lol).
So yeah, here’s my honest-ish review of The Ordinary stuff — what’s good, what’s kinda meh, and what you should know before trying them.
What Is The Ordinary Even?
So basically, The Ordinary is a brand owned by this bigger company called DECIEM (which is kinda a weird name too, but whatever). They started around 2016 and blew up because they sell simple skincare with just one or two ingredients per product. Like, the label literally says “Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%” or “Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.” No fancy names, no fluff, just the ingredients.
It’s super science-y and that’s cool, but if you don’t know what half those words mean, it can feel confusing as hell. Plus, sometimes it’s hard to tell how to use them properly — like do you put this before or after moisturizer? Do you use it everyday? What if you mix it with this other serum?
Stuff I Liked
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This one’s like the OG serum. People love it because it’s supposed to reduce oil, calm acne, and shrink pores. I used it for a few months and honestly it did help with redness and oiliness a bit. But heads up, some people’s skin freaks out on this so patch test first!
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This one is a hydrating serum, meant to pull moisture into your skin. Pro tip: put it on damp skin or it might actually dry you out a little. Kinda sticky but does its job if you layer moisturizer after.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The red one. This is a chemical exfoliant and it’s NOT for beginners. Use it once a week max and for like 10 minutes only or you’ll burn your face off lol. If you do it right, your skin gets suuuper smooth and glowy. But I swear it stings a bit.
Squalane Cleanser
I didn’t expect to like this but it’s actually nice. Removes makeup okay, leaves skin soft and not tight. Not good for waterproof mascara tho.
Buffet (Multi-Peptide Serum)
This is like an all-in-one anti-aging serum. Kinda pricey compared to their other stuff but still cheap compared to other brands. If you want peptides, this is your best bet.
What Confused or Bothered Me
-
Too many acids — they have glycolic, lactic, mandelic, salicylic… and sometimes I have no idea which one to use or when. Using too many can wreck your skin so be careful.
-
Vitamin C stuff is weird — their Vitamin C products sometimes feel gritty or greasy. I tried the powder and the 23% suspension and wasn’t a fan. The one with ascorbyl glucoside is better but not WOW.
-
Names = confusing — it’s all ingredient names and percentages. If you’re not a skincare nerd, good luck understanding which one does what. I wish they had a dumbed down guide.
-
Instructions sometimes vague — like do you use this day or night? Alone or with other stuff? It’s not always clear.
What I Learned (The Painful Way)
-
Don’t buy a bunch of products at once thinking more is better. I did that and my face hated me.
-
Always patch test! I once put a new serum all over my face and got a rash. Not fun.
-
Put watery things on first, thicker ones later. Oils and creams always last.
-
Don’t mix acids and retinol or you’ll burn your face off.
-
Sunscreen is a must, especially if you’re using acids or retinol. Don’t skip this or you’ll regret it.
Who Should Use The Ordinary?
If you want affordable skincare and you’re willing to learn about ingredients and layering, The Ordinary is awesome. But if you want something easy peasy that tells you exactly how to use it step by step, maybe try a different brand.
It’s perfect if you want to target specific skin problems like acne, uneven skin tone, dullness, or early wrinkles. But if you have super sensitive skin or eczema, be very careful and maybe talk to a dermatologist first.
Final Thoughts
The Ordinary isn’t magic, but it’s pretty great for the price. It changed the skincare game by making simple ingredients affordable and accessible. Just be prepared to do a bit of homework and be patient with your skin.
Also, don’t buy everything at once and expect miracles overnight. Skincare is a slow process, my friend. Oh, and sunscreen. Always sunscreen.
Disclaimer
I’m not a skincare expert or a dermatologist. Just a regular person who tried a lot of The Ordinary products and wanted to share what I think. Everyone’s skin is different so what works for me might not work for you. Always patch test new products and if you have serious skin problems, see a professional. This isn’t medical advice, just my two cents!