Product Reviews Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars
175 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review GAME CHANGER!!!!!! WHEN I SAY THIS IS A GAME CHANGER I AM NOT JOKING!! I have combo skin that tends to be more dry. And I have very sensitive skin but this product has not gave me any problems. I have rosacea too just for more information on my skin. I bought this product out of desperation because I had developed severe acne scars caused my chronic cystic hormonal acne. Backstory... I never had acne as a teen, maybe one big pimple twice a year but otherwise nothing....then I turned 21 and my skin totally changed. I started getting horrid cystic acne only on the right side of my jaw during that time of the month. Before you think why didn't she just get birth control? Well I didn't because birth control is actually extremely bad for you according to the research I have done. Anyway the cysts would get so big and red that it was embarrassing and then it would take weeks to calm down. Because it took weeks to even begin to get smaller and redder in size, by the time this was happening I was again getting that wonderful monthly visitor and they would get set off all over again. And on top of that I would get more acne... again only on one side of my jaw. So finally I decided to try this product after trying everything else on my period mind you. At first I thought for the price that it would not work and it would just be another product that sits on my shelf before I throw it out. HOWEVER I WAS SO WRONG. Within 2 days my red cystic acne was gone!!!!! I wish I had my before and after photos to show because I am not kidding!! I was shook and it got rid of my old acne scars within a week. i cannot even see them now. I use this every morning and the niacinamide and zinc at night. The overall coloring and pigmentation of my skin has never been better and I could not be happier with this product.
Most Helpful Critical Review Not for me. Preservative they use causes dermatitis. I tried a few Ordinary products -- they look very promising with the active ingredients and low cost. Unfortunately, this product and several others from this brand contain Chlorphenesin, a preservative. Now, preservatives are necessary and for most people Chlorphenesin is ok, so I'm not knocking this brand for using it. However it is a known irritant/allergen for a subset of people, and indeed I found out I had a dermatitis reaction (irritation, redness, bumps... cleared up a few days after I stopped using this), which I'm 99% sure was because of the Chlorphenesin. I am particularly sensitive to things -- especially as I used to work as a chemist and got accidentally exposed to sensitizing chemicals that make my skin "hyper aware" -- but heads-up. This product and several others from the Ordinary may not be good for other people who have sensitive skin, eczema issues, or are trying to figure out why their skin is unhappy.
Reviewed by 175 customers FINALLY 5
Dani from Miami, Fl
This product is absolutely incredible. I had minor cystic acne as well as texture which left me with stubborn scars for months. I use this 2 times a day with azelaic acid at night and after 2 weeks everyone notices a difference including myself. No texture and my scars disappearing. I've been looking for a product like this for an entire year. I used the COSRX snail musin, alpha arbutin, and azelaic acid it's a dream trio.
breakouts 1
angel from stl
i used this product for two weeks every other day, and it gave me cystic acne which never happens to me and i started getting more bumps and acne.
I would buy this again, and again 5
Temy from TN
Cleared my dark spots completely! It left my skin so smooth and glowy. This is going to be my go-to serum from now on.
Works on some parts not on others 4
Hyperpigmentation Hannah from St. Louis. MO
So I bought this about two months ago to lighten my hyperpigmentation. I have dark spots on my forehead and an area on my cheek/chin from old acne that would not heal. But the spots on my cheek were literally gone within a month of usage! No dark marks to be seen, even skin and everything! Now, my forehead is a different story. I don't know why it's not working for that. Might just have to keep doing it a little while longer. We'll see.
Holy grail along with Azelaic Acid 5
Tam from CT
This will drastically reduce the appearance of PIH. I used to have so many dark spots on my cheekbones due to previous acne, and this along with Azelaic Acid has minimized the darkness so much it's unbelievable. I'm on my 3rd bottle and I'll forever repurchase this. I used to wear concealer & foundation everywhere I go BUT now I only use it when necessary. It's a game changer and sort of underrated product. Please do use this if you have any type of hyperpigmentation.
Perfect for lightening dark spots ! 5
Dani M from Tempe Arizona
Great price. Does exactly what it's supposed to !
Immediate and amazing results! 5
Suz... from Avondale, AZ
Love this product!
Very helpful of restoring my natural skin color 5
Rae from Baton Rouge,LA
Best to use this product after toning!
Breakouts... 1
Nabiya from Ohio
I love the ordinary and incorporate a few products into my daily routine. However, after reading a lot of reviews I decided to give this particular product a try and my skin had such a bad reaction. Cystic acne everywhere, little bumps on my forehead and cheeks and just an uneven/ red skin tone. I know this is what caused it because I've been using the other skincare products for quite some time now. Letting my skin heal.. wouldnt buy it again. Didn't even use the bottle halfway..
This ain't it. 2
cassandra from portland, or
I have a spot on my chest and some hyperpigmentation on my forehead and I used this religiously AM and PM from 6/1 to now and it didn't do anything. The chest red mark did fade but it would have faded anyway. I'll try the mandelic acid next. It's a low enough price tag to give it a whirl but this didn't do anything for me. NC20, 30s, normal skin, hyperpigmentation. Won't repurchase.
CLEARED MY SKIN 5
jehejsjs from Oregon
it takes a few weeks to work, but for the most part it cleared acne and lifted heavy acne scar pigmentation
BUY IT 5
AmberH from NC
I've had this serum for going on two weeks now and it has significantly reduced the appearance of dark spots and acne scars on my face, it goes on smoothly and doesn't feel sticky at all.
Ehhhh 2
Ana from Reno NV
I used the whole bottle and didn't notice a difference in my dark spots/hyperpigmentation even thought I wanted it to, it was hydrating cause of the HA but other than that I would buy again, going to try the lactic acid next hopefully that works
Great at diminhings scars 5
Lina from New York, NY
I have been using this for about a week now and noticed huge improvements on my skin. I have rosacea and some acne scars from when I was a teen. This has done wonders for my skin, and I use it on a nightly.
Obsessed - going to continue to buy! 5
Lauren the Beauty Researcher from Beverly Hills, CA
I am -obsessed- with this product. I began introducing it to my skincare routine at night and I am so grateful I did. My acne scaring has dramatically improved over a month!! I swear by this product, especially when layered with The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.
ok 2
ihateithere from wyoming
hasn't really helped with my dark spots pigmentation. only thing it's done is make my skin peel?? and i use spf with it everyday so yeah idk what to do 😐 my skin doesn't break out or peel ever so idk why it's doing this.
Wouldn't buy again :( 2
Pshep from Seattle
I bought this product to use in place of my niacinamide because I heard this was more effective in clearing pigment scarring. A few days into using it and I have small red dots all over my cheeks. They don't look like normal pimples and some are painful. I would not recommend this for someone with sensitive skin
Good brand and product 4
Millie from New Hampshire
I haven't been using this long so I haven't seen results yet. I have sensitive skin so I was worried it would irritate but it feels great!
Didn't work 1
Britney from LA
Used the entire bottle and saw no changes
My face hurts 1
Jess from South Georgia
I know that results take time but oh boy. I only used this product for a week before throwing it away. I used as directed and my face burned every time. I had to sit in front of a fun to try and stop the burning. I had really high hopes but this just is not the product for me.
Amazing 5
MoniA15 from Chicago,IL
Wow! Why haven't i used this product way before now?! This product is amazing, I do use a turmeric soap also but the Alpha Arburtin has taken my skin care to another level and it will be a staple in my skin care routine!!!
Great as usual! 5
NE from Dubuque, Ia
Love it..
AMAZING 5
Ali from Raytown, MO
After about 2 weeks of using this product, I've also been using glycolic acid 7% toning and the caffeine solution 5% + EGCG, I've already seen some changes.
The best! 5
awesome from california
This product is much better than any other product! definitely recommend:) it's my second bottle and i love the results.
I would buy this magic product again 5
Ed from Pensylvannia
I have no words to describe this product. This product got rid of my acne dark spots leaving an even tone on my skin. My mother has used this product and recommended it to me. She had severe melasma and this product is working so well that her melasma is disappearing. I have been using this for two weeks and the results are extraordinary. The price, the price is amazing. The Ordinary is legit.
