Product Reviews Rated 4.36 out of 5 stars
593 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 593 customers Really works! 5
AB from CO
This was recommended to me by my dermatologist and it really worked so well, within a week of using it morning and night my acne on my chin cleared up. I also love that it's so affordable. It is a little heavy so that takes some getting used to.
Pills a LOT 3
C from LA
I'm surprised this is so heavily praised. I have repurchased PC's azelaic acid and decided to try TO because it's $20 cheaper, but it pills under all my sunscreens/moisturizers/oils! Even if I apply nothing underneath, wait for it to settle, etc. Pretty bummed.
Steady Results! 5
40s with teenage skin from Los Angeles, CA
This is my second bottle and I always seem to come back to this to lighten my acne scars and prevent major breakouts. I've tried other acids but they were either too drying or results were minimal. The azelic acid steadily shows results but don't expect miracles right away. It took a couple of weeks before I saw it working. I use it twice a day but if i start peeling, I drop down to once a day, until I feel ready to use it twice a day again.
My Holy Grail! Amazing Product 5
Ginger P. from Riverton Utah
I can't say enough about what this has done for my skin and I had the peeling issue the first few times I used it but if I follow with the Ordinarys Moisturizer then it works perfectly. I've used prescription Retinols and never got the results this product gave me ina matter of days. My pores are gone as well as my fine lines my skin looks like porcelain and I'm 43! Thank you! Thank you! I am a customer for life!
Excellent Brand 5
cld from Iowa
Excellent skin texture product. The price point is terrific. Mind the application instructions so one doesn't negate positive benefits by countering with another product.
Holy Grail 5
Tracey from Michigan
I've had issues with acne, oil in my t-zone, and hyperpigmentation for years. Once I started using this product, my skin has cleared up, my oil is controlled, and my dark spots have noticeably faded. I'd recommend using this at night with Vitamin C. and Alpha Arbutin to even out and brighten skin. I'd like to see a larger tube offered, but overall, I'm very happy with this product line.
Very happy! 5
Steph the Teacher from Hattiesburg, MS
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!
Works good 5
Ema from League city texas
It works the best on hydrated skin
Alright replacement for benzoyl peroxide 4
Sophia from Arizona
In my teen years, I used proactive which is just layered benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. By the time I was 17, my skin rejected both ingredients either with acne or very dry skin.
However, I still needed an active ingredient to combat my now sensitive acne prone mild rosacea skin. After some research, I decided azelaic acid was my best bet, and this product really did the job. It hasn't cleared my acne but it hasn't broken me out either, which is a god send for my skin type.
However, because of the nature of the ingredient, the product is finicky. I only use this in the morning, after I've washed my face and my face is completely dry. I use a nickel sized amount for my face and am sure to be quick to apply all over. I avoid the creases of my nose, my eye area, and my neck area (these areas become itchy if I do apply). After that has completely dried and then some (5-10 minutes), I apply moisturizer.
If it itches, you've applied too much and/or too thick. If it's piling, it's too much or you didn't wait long enough between each product. Make sure to apply sunscreen, as this product makes the skin sensitive to sunlight.
Immediately made me breakout into rash 1
Amanda from Cleveland, OH
I wanted to try this because I read good reviews for getting rid of those stubborn a forehead bumps, but this completely ruined my skin. Made me breakout into more tiny bumps all over my forehead and it has taken weeks to get them to go away again. Never again will I use this stuff. I love the lactic acid though!! Does wonders for my sensitive skin!
I will absolutely be buying this again! 5
Laura from Oregon
I'll start out this review by saying that I have only been using this product for a week. I have very rough textured skin with large pores and dark acne scars; my skin is also quite used to active ingredients and is not sensitive at all. I am impressed with this product because it is already making a huge difference in my skin's appearance. I am noticing a lot of brightening and smoothing that I was not getting from my other slew of products (that I have put a pause on to make sure I'm not overwhelming my skin). I also do not have any new blemishes. The only con I have noticed so far is that the bottle is quite small, but for the price, I'm not too concerned.
Amazing! 5
Gran from Oregon
I have rosacea; so many creams and lotions aggravate it. This does not! Just leaves my skin much smoother looking in the morning! Pores appear smaller too. This is even from the first use!
Peal City 1
DMV Girlie from Tysons Corner, VA
This pealed so badly. It didn't matter what I used before or after this product. The texture was weird too. It just sat on the face and never felt like it absorbed at all. Also too small of a bottle for the price. Looking elsewhere for 10% azelaic acid.
Changed Brown Spots in a Week 5
Penelope from USA
This stuff is amazing, especially for the price. I had a bad breakout of cystic acne that left me with hyperpigmentation in several spots. I used this product twice a day for a week and the spots have already turned pink! I feel more comfortable going without concealer on my face. I highly recommend it if you are trying to fade dark spots on a budget.
Super dry and sensitive but did help rosacea 5
Jen A from Cleveland OH
I read the reviews before I bought this and knew that it might be harsh on my skin, so when I started using it I put it over a toner, oil and mixed it with a little bit of weleda night cream. After working it in slowly and using it every other night, I'm still not putting it straight on my skin but I've really seen my rosacea calm down and clear up! I haven't used it for about 2 weeks and my skin is still really clear. It has also helped my little bit of acne heal faster. So try it diluted if you're sensitive!
I am reading about scalp dermatitis and I'm wondering if anybody has put this on their scalp to help with that?
Worked wonderful for stubborn acne and red marks 5
EB from Minnesota
I have had a few stubborn spots on my fast and this has helped cleared them up in about a month. The product works great and has also decreased overs redness on my face from other hyperpigmentation. Disclosure: I have finished Isotretenoin in the last year so I would recommend this product for any lingering pimples.
My only warning would be to be light with application with starting usage. I was eager and my face burned a few days into my few two weeks. I would suggest starting with application every other day as I started with daily. This burning eventual went away and I have had no recurrence after two months of usage.
The best! 5
Dee from Texas
I don't know why I waited to buy this. I had seen it on tiktok a while back of a dermatologist recommended it for someone with rosacea. This is my 2nd day using it. From the 1st day that I used it by the next day in the morning my face was already looking so much better compared to how I had it. And the price is so affordable. I will definitely continue to buy it.
Mixed feelings but overall good 4
Skin care junkie from Maine
I have some mixed emotions towards this product. I've been using it for a few weeks and do see a difference. It typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to notice a difference with azelaic acid, however, I was using a product containing azelaic acid before. My acne scars certainly seem lighter, but I'm not sure about overall redness/rosacea. I think this product is slightly purging my skin, which is to be expected. The product is standard size, 1oz. So even though the bottle is small it's typical. The major issue is how thick it is. I feel like I need a lot to cover my face. It also feels like a mattifying primer, which is ok but not great. It's honestly a fine line between getting enough product to cover your face, and using too much so it feels caked on. I expect to go through the product quickly. I think this might suit someone with target areas better, as opposed to all over your face. I will use the product up and see how I feel. It's certainly not bad, just a few quirks.
Great for sensitive acne prone skin 4
Rose from USA
This stuff has made a world of difference in my skin. It soothes my breakouts and makes my skin look really smooth. It's a really pasty texture, kind of like a silicone primer, which can be hard to get evenly on the skin. To help with ease of application, I mix it with their niacinamide and it goes on really well. I would give this five stars if it came with more in the package. One bottle lasts me maybe a month.
Great for breakouts 4
Olive from Pleasanton
Got this both to help with redness and occasional breakouts. Been using it for a little over a month now (started with 3 days a week and now use twice a day) and after a couple of weeks, I haven't had a single breakout (knock on wood). It doesn't seem to do all that much for my redness, but it doesn't hurt either. I avoid going anywhere near my eyes as it can be very irritating to that area.
Do It!!!! 5
Bumps No More from USA
I use this for type 2 rosacea bumps and it is a game changer! I can handle being pink and even flares, but the bumps on my cheeks and under my skin from my type 2 rosacea were killing my confidence. I apply a small dab of this morning and night on my entire face and in about two weeks I am completely clear and it is just maintenance once a day then. It is so effective that if I stop for a week, I'm right back at square one with congestion under the skin. This stuff works and I love that the ordinary is so reasonably priced.
My rosacea routine is the squalene cleanser, followed by Azelaic acid, followed by their moisturizer. Alternative is squalene cleanser, a dab of Azelaic acid, and a tinted mineral sunscreen with high spf for post-procedure/sensitive skin.
Recommend for Dark Spots for WOC 5
Nia from Michigan
I have struggled with acne but mainly the dark marks that come afterwards. This product along with Panoxyl and the Ordinary Niacinamide have cleared up all my acne and helped contribute to the fading of my scars. I still get a pimple here or there but consistency is definitely key. I've only been using it for a month every morning and night and it's worked very well
best for my sensitive skin 5
mariah from south Carolina
amazing product! my skin is very sensitive and I have perioral dermatitis so most products react and cause me a massive breakout and a ton of pain yet with this product ive noticed around my mouth where I normally show the signs of perioral dermatitis it has lessened and is more smooth. my I use this almost evey morning and my face is getting better and better by the day. I wish I could include photos of the before and after! worth the money!
i love!! 5
barleen from moorestown, new jersey
i have always struggled with my hyperpigmentation, redness, and red marks that would be left behind from pimples in the past. this product has helped me so much. i use it at night every day, after my serums and before my moisturizer. i can see a difference in the dark spots and hyperpigmentation i have. my skin texture has gotten slightly smoother. i've been using this product for about a month now and i am proud with the results so far. i would definitely recommend this, because it has a good price and it's worth trying!
Works wonderfully 5
Eden from Oklahoma
I am a WOC with texture and hyperpigmentation and it's so annoying! This product not only lessens the appearance of my texture but has been so helpful with hyperpigmentation. It's definitely worth a try