Product Reviews Rated 4.33 out of 5 stars
645 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Very happy! I've used this for about a week after my dermatologist recommended it. I'm very happy with it so far! I had seen some light texture changes on my cheeks, and knowing my mom had rosacea, I wanted to address them sooner rather than later! I've used it in the morning and evening most days— trying to see if it irritates me at all, but I really don't think it has. I'll probably cut back to once a day with my nightcream now that the most immediate effects have happened— my cheeks feel and look smoother. I took pictures, but it's more a tactile change than a visual change at this point. My face feels smooth and exfoliated without feeling tight or irritated. Again, I'm trying to address these issues early!
Some reviews mentioned pilling, but I love the texture of the product— it feels like it has a bit of silicone in it, like you'd find in a primer. I can wear it without looking shiny or greasy, and I've paired it with another prescription cream (for redness), a mineral sunblock (Hawaiian Tropic mineral milk), and a couple different Cereve day and night moisturizer. I think I've put a tinted moisturizer over it with no problem, but honestly I've been loving how my skin looks without any makeup, so maybe not?
Unless something drastically changes, this is going to be a go to product for a long time!
Most Helpful Critical Review This Ruined My Skin I bought this product because I watched a video from a dermatologist that recommended this for acne/brightening, etc. The first time I used it (which I only used it a total of 4 times, each in the morning) I could feel an actual burning sensation. After all these years of being interested and passionate about skincare, I stupidly thought this meant it was "working." Every time I scrunched my face, I could feel how tight and raw feeling my skin felt. I blamed it on it being winter weather, but it never got better. But I continued for 4 days and after the 4th day, I couldn't take it anymore and I threw the whole thing away. No amount of moisturizer or healing ointment could prevent the flakiness, sunburn like skin that was peeling off. It was peeling in small amounts but all over my face. It's been weeks since I've stopped using it and my skin is STILL flakey around my nose and temples and forehead. I had good expectations of using The Ordinary, but unfortunately, this ruined my skin. I have always had sensitive skin and I should have patch tested it like everyone says to do. BEWARE if you have any sort of level of sensitive skin, hopefully it doesn't mess up your skin like it did mine. Because of this, I don't see myself using any other The Ordinary products.
Reviewed by 645 customers Improved Texture and Redness 5
Lizs18 from Burke, VA
I read that Azealic Acid helps with uneven skin texture and redness from acne marks that are common on light skin tones. This product did exactly that. I have rosacea and while it's no substitute for prescription products, it did what I wanted it to and held me over until I could see a dermatologist. Great product especially for the price. Highly recommend it.
My skin is terrible now! 1
Emily from Pikeville, KY
Huge red places all over my face And made my skin so dry
Amazing Product 5
Shannon from NEW YORK
I have had some mild redness for awhile now and some textural irregularities and scarring this product has worked wonders to help both the redness and the scarring, my skin is smoother than it has ever been.
Has a bad chemical smell on skin 3
heather from pa
I don't know if this even works because when I used it, it made me smell chlorine or some strong chemical all day. I went a few days with no makeup and just skincare to be sure and it was definitely this product.
I don't love or hate it 3
Leesie from Ohio
Formulated without everything but dimethicones. Is it really necessary? I'm used to putting thick moisturizers on my face, but this one I can actually feel on my skin. Someone mentioned that this smells like goat cheese, and that is spot on! I usually review ingredients before I buy, but I took it for granted that Ordinary wouldn't use dimethicone. I'm a little weary now if I keep using it the dimethicone might mess with my skin.
My holy grail 5
Mari from Wesley Chapel
I have rosacea & have been using this for about a year now. Since my face was looking fine I thought I would try something different that had azalaic acid & licorice root but that didn't work so well on my face. I am sticking with this - my skin loves it.
Great Product!! 5
JL from SC
I saw this on Tiktok for dark spots. I have sunspots and aging spots on my cheeks and I noticed a clear difference within 2-3 uses!! This is an everyday sometimes 2x a day product for me!! Love it!
Worst breakout 1
Ac from Okc
One of the worst experiences ever!
This gave me the worst breakout of my life :(
Scent is super weird 3
Karusimjah from New York
I have been using an azelaic acid (10%) serum for about a year with pretty good results in terms on smoothing, reducing redness and inflammation, and resurfacing. I thought I would mix it up a little with this suspension but I didn't notice any significant improvements so I'm going back to the serum because this suspension smells really weird. The only way I can describe it is like goat cheese. But it's not a scent, per se, it's more like when I put it on my face, I get the taste of goat cheese in my throat. Super weird.
Great for Rosacea! 5
Barbara from Las Vegas
This is the only thing that has worked on taming my rosacea bumps. The prescription strength is only 5% more and this works beautifully!
Holy cow 5
Maddie from Reno NV
My fiancé put this stuff in my stocking knowing I struggle with Perioral Dermatitis. Nothing has been able to get rid of or prevent my condition. I put this stuff on my rash over night, I woke up & it was about 60% gone. All smoothed out so the texture of it is gone all that's left is the redness. After one use I was not expecting this, but I am beyond happy.
Instant results for me! 5
Leah from Laurel, MS
I LOVE how soft and even my skin feels after using! I noticed a difference after the FIRST application!
Great for my eczema and I wake up with smoother skin 5
Tammy from San Francisco, CA
My holy grail product for eczema and redness. It really calms my inflammation and facial eczema flare ups, to the point where I rarely use my mild topical steroid anymore. There's a noticeable smoothness, slight glow, and no redness when I wake up!
I don't know if it's unclogging my pores which is what I initially bought it for, but it's such an amazing product for my eczema that I don't even care.
Caused breakout after a few weeks of using 2
Sara-Bella from California
So I found them item looking for something to help my acne dark spots and my blackheads, I tried it and for a while it made my skin bright and soft and I loved it, after a while I started breaking out in blackheads outside of the T zone, then for the next month or so after I ended up covered in tiny white heads, blackheads and some other types of acne. I tend to only get blackheads naturally and a zit here and there so this was odd, I stopped using it for a few weeks then my skin healed and I went back to a zit here and there, I gave this product another try two days ago then found a cluster of blackheads on my lower cheeks. That was the end of my using this product.
Acne Scar Approved~ PIH 5
cherryave from Los Angeles
I had this ingredient in my Curology years ago and decided to give it a shot. It definitely decreases redness/irritation/ scarring. It is not hydrating so its best to use with moisturizer. Please give it a try, it takes time to show improvement!
if you have hormonal acne (esp. on the chin) get this !! 5
lani from kent, wa
i struggle with hormonal acne, focused on my chin and temples. i've struggled with whiteheads and this product is great because it dries out acne, shrinks the size of it, and brightens your skin, all in one go. i'd recommend this for anyone dealing with whiteheads or discoloration caused by acne !!
if you use too much, the product can begin to peel, so please be sure to not use too much in one spot. i use my fingers to apply this on my chin and temples first, just to be sure i'm using it where i really need it. i use about the size of a thumbtack, since it can spread easily.
afterwards, i apply it on my cheeks, nose, and forehead. avoid using it too close to your eyes !! (one time i was crying and the product got in my eyes and it was burning so don't do that).
Love it 5
Fieldofshoes from Miami
I use it first time last night; misted my face before and applied pea size amount gently massaging it in. My skin was so soft in the morning! I have combo skin.
Cystic Pimples 1
Anonymous from CA
I used this product for about 6 weeks. Initially, it seemed to work, but then it gave me large cystic pimples( probably the worst I've had). It seems to do a good job with reducing redness. However, I won't be purchasing it again.
Returned!! 1
JessBel from Ohio, USA
I've heard so much rave about this ingredient, but I had the worst breakout since high school after using this product. I'm not sure if it was the ingredient or the formulation as I've been too terrified to try it again, but this one from The Ordinary got returned immediately.
Second time buying this product 5
Supershopper from New Jersey
My dermatologist had originally prescribed azaleic acid for me. However the prescription strength cost me over $50. It was also extremely drying. I lost the tube and found this over the counter from ultra and bought it on a whim. For me, it works just as well and doesn't dry my skin nearly as much. I love this product.
Used to Get Ready for Toner 4
babyyakes from Chicago, IL
I use a pea-sized amount daily in the PM after facewash and niacinamide and before moisturizer. I got this instead of the glycolic acid toner because the label made it seem less harsh. I felt like I needed to use something milder before getting full-blown toner. I only use it at night to reduce chances of it reacting with sunlight and use an SPF lotion in my AM routine. When I first bought this I was hesitant about its texture after reading reviews about it being too thick and feeling like it sat on top of the skin. The first time I used it, I definitely understood what those reviews were talking about; however, after sticking with it I've gotten used to the texture and rubbing it in the right amount so it absorbs, so I have no complaints about the heaviness. I've noticed a reduction in old acne scarring, but it hasn't completely gone away. Using in combination with niacinamide has completely cleared up my occasional breakouts. Now that I've run out I'm going to try the toner to see if it will completely get rid of my scarring.
Wow 5
Jacqlyn from Atlanta
Like another reviewer said : got rid of those annoying texture bumps. I saw my face look bright in first use. Third day : little texture bumps minimized to almost nothing . I use day and night before my oil serums . Does leave a soft feel to your face afterwards. Hope this helps .
nasty taste in mouth 1
gross from boston Ma
After applying this twice I'm experiencing an awful chemical taste in my mouth! made sure to not put it near mouth or nose! it doesn't go away until the next day! do not buy this!!! i looked up side effects and that is one of them!!! i'd rather have terrible skin then taste that poison in my throat and nose passage
Love It! 5
Marlene from Palmdale
You know those tiny pimples that are not actually pimples but look like them. The ones with bunch up together and make your skin look so textured. That when you pop them, this sorta ball of oil comes out. Well, this product has helped me with those pimples so much!! I used to have acne scars from popping these because i couldn't stand them. Now I use this product instead and it helps to get rid of those and actual pimples. My skin has never been more smooth and clearer! definitely recommend but if you have any questions feel free to ask!!
like the finish, feels velvety when it dried 4
Sanndandi from CT USA
gentle, effective, like the finish, great price
