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The Ordinary Balancing & Clarifying Serum for Oily Skin and Pore Refinement
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Summary
Highlights
The Ordinary Balancing & Clarifying Serum for Oily Skin and Pore Refinement is a multi-active solution designed to reduce skin congestion, minimize excess shine and improve pore appearance for clearer-looking skin.
Benefits
- Minimises excess shine in 1 week
- Balances oily skin in 1 week*
- Improves uneven skin texture for smoother-looking skin in 1 week*
- Reduces visible post-acne marks
Key Ingredients
- Sarcosine and L-Carnitine: Naturally occurring molecules that reduce the appearance of oiliness and shine.
- Polylysine: A patented molecule that also reduces the appearance of oiliness and shine. It has a unique three-dimensional branched structure that is composed of 48 naturally-derived lysine amino acids.
- N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG): An amino sugar that offers similar exfoliation properties to direct acids. Through this exfoliation, it helps target signs of congestion, while also targeting the look of uneven skin tone.
- Ectoin: Protects the skin barrier against water loss and helps maintain skin hydration. The ingredient ectoin is an amino acid derivative produced via fermentation from ectoine - a naturally occurring molecule found in a wide range of bacteria that live in extreme conditions.
- Lactococcus Ferment Lysate: Works to help support the skin barrier. It is a mixture of fragmented molecules derived from the breakdown of the bacteria lactococcus lactis.
Item 2626328
Shake well before use. Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening.
Aqua (Water), Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Carnitine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sarcosine, Ectoin, Adenosine, Polylysine, Silanetriol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
This brand is excluded from most Ulta Beauty coupons.
Free gift with purchase
Free gift with purchase
Online only free Hyaluronic Acid Daily Moisturizer with $15 Ordinary purchase (valid thru 8/2/25 on shipped purchases only. Full or partial pickup or same day delivery purchases do not qualify. While quantities last)
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Reviews
Write A REVIEWReview Snapshot
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Ratings Distribution
Most Helpful Positive Review
Must need in skincare
I received this product from Influenster and The Ordinary in exchange for my honest review. The Ordinary, known for its effective and affordable skincare solutions, has garnered attention for its Balancing and Clarifying Serum. Promising to address concerns of both balance and clarity in the skin, ...
Most Helpful Critical Review
It's not the best serum I've used.
I received The Ordinary Balancing and Clarifying Serum free in return for my honest review. I was excited to see if this serum could help manage my oily skin and minimize pores. Starting with its effectiveness, I found the results to be mixed. It does a decent job of reducing excess shine and keep...
626 results
Made My Break Outs Worse
When I first applied it made my skin tingle, and itch very slightly but I still went with the flow and kept it on. As the hours went on I checked on my face and I saw more bumps on my face than were already there. I had them in places that I never get them, so I know that this product is the cause. I wouldn't recommend it.
LOVE
I purchased this product about a couple weeks to a month ago to add to my routine. I absolutly love it, and recommend it to anyone trying to get rid of acne.
One of my favorite products.
This is one of my HG products. I'm halfway through my second bottle now. I apply this morning and night first thing after cleansing. It feels gently moisturizing. My skin seems to get extremely oily with hormonal fluctuations, and this genuinely helps reduce the oiliness without drying me out at all. It works incredibly well under makeup and sunscreen — no pilling whatsoever!! It also doesnt cause my skin to peel, get flaky, or feel dry and tight, which were common issues I've had with other products that claim to reduce oiliness. In my 30s, I have had new ongoing issues with acne along my jaw and chin. This is the only product that's helped reduce that issue completely when I use it consistently morning and night. Only a few drops are needed for my face (don't need a whole droppers' worth). About that smell….I have an incredibly sensitive nose. It's unfortunately true that this product smells bad. It is not rancid, it just smells that way. I apply this product to my face, let it dry down for a minute or two, and then put my moisturizer on top. The odor dissipates a few minutes later after it dries/my skin absorbs the product, usually in less than 15 minutes. This serum works so well for me that I don't mind dealing with the odor. It's truly not that bad for my sensitive nose, but your mileage may vary with your own smell sensitivity. I love this product and will continue to use it.
Good value
Mature skin, oily to normal skin. Quality product for reasonable price.
worsened breakout
i have struggled with acne for years and i was just looking for another ordinary product to minimize breakouts and this made it SO MUCH WORSE. i will be throwing this away