Product Reviews Rated 4.59 out of 5 stars
103 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Permanent skin care routine staple!!! This is my top favorite chemical peel ever!!!! I've tried quite a few chemical peels. Farmacys honeymoon glow serum: it contained too many sensitizing ingredients. The lemon it contained stung my skin (too much) everytime I used it and it didn't really improve anything but it did brighten my face. Unfortunately all of the fragrant essential oils in it caused some acne. Also it contains algae extract which has the highest score on the comedogenic rating (pore clogging!!) Also the Murads replenishing peel contains algae but if it didn't, it would be a great peel! Everybody's skin is different, though. You always have to pay attention to ingredients, not the reviews. Rose oil causes cystic acne for me but for most people, it works great!! Comedogenic ratings are also extremely helpful. I don't get acne at all but if I use products with certain ingredients like fragrant essential oils, synthetic fragrance and sodium chloride, I'll get acne constantly-until I discontinue use of the product! This does contain 1 sensitizing ingredient: pepper berry extract but since it's low on the list, it does not contain enough to aggravate my skin and cause acne! I also only use this every other day since I am trying to incorporate retinol into my routine (I am 28). I also love The Ordinarys Niamicide, caffeine solution and azelaic acid. I have tried their peel mask but it is very strong for me-even only using it once per week. I would suggest the Ordinary to anybody because their prices are great and their products are effective! Just be sure to ALWAYS pay attention to products ingredients that did not work for you. That way, when you go to try a new product and it contains even 1 of the same ingredients and you get a bad reaction you'll be able to figure out what you are sensitive to! :)
Most Helpful Critical Review Broke me out like crazy!!! I was really disappointed by this product. I have used lactic acid before and have really liked it for my skin. I was looking forward to using this product. I had heard great things about The Ordinary and wanted something affordable and targeted. But the product ended up breaking me out like crazy! I went from having basically clear skin to a huge breakout. At first I thought it might have been purging but the more days I used the product the worse my skin got. I was breaking out in areas I normally don't break out in. I discontinued use of the product but am now dealing with pigmentation from the breakout. It's a no from me!!!
Reviewed by 103 customers AH MAY ZING 5
Em from Chicago
This stuff is an absolute game changer for me. I've been using harsh scrubs my whole life and not getting very soft skin from it. This stuff makes my face truly feel the softest it every has. There is not a single flake on my face even in this dry winter air. I used it after a moisturizing cleanser and before my hydrating moisturizer, and literally noticed a difference in one single day. SO GOOD!
Loved! Simple, Hydrating, Affordable & Does Job Well. 5
El from Atlanta, GA
Loved this! I never really trust chemical exfoliants because they are usually too harsh and somewhat drying. I was going between this and TO mandalic acid and I'm glad I picked this one! It's hydrating and does the job without burning my face lol. My face was glowing after one use! So much so my dad even asked me to buy him one.
MIRACLE 5
Nicole from Kentucky
Literally life changing. It's worth a try, trust me.
Wonderful Stuff 5
arid from port huron, mi
after dealing with dry skin issues for the last decade.. i mean Really bad issues mostly on my forehead.. this combined with Ordinarys Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 solved the problem.. for the first time in a decade.. i can wear makeup again. thx O
This has been phenomenal for my skin 5
sarahsoo from West Palm Beach, FL
I really love this. I have struggled for years to find a chemical exfoliant that works without irritating my skin, and pretty much everything has been too strong. But this is mild enough that I can use it every morning before my other skincare products (and sunscreen of course). It didn't clear everything up overnight but gradually over the course of several weeks my skin texture changed for the better. I occasionally get some mild tingling but nothing too bad. It even cleared some stubborn hard lumps that seemed to have been on my upper chest forever. The redness that I was always plagued with has also been subsiding although that could be due to other products. I originally bought this planning to buy the 10% as my second bottle but I haven't felt the need to go up in strength at all yet. I'm on my third bottle and still loving this. It's an excellent serum that is moisturizing and clearing at the same time.
Unintended purpose 4
Yeah from Southern California
So this really didn't work well for my acne prone face or body, but it's working really well to clear up old acne scars on the arms (where I no longer breakout). A lot of these scars are eight years old at most and this product is slowly but surely fading them! It's even helping to get rid of old scars from scrapes. Might be TMI, but it's also clearly up acne scarring on my butt (where I also no longer breakout). Definitely would NOT recommend this in areas with active breakouts because all that does is make it worse. Reserve this for areas where breakouts no longer occur.
It's okay 3
Melly from Otay Mesa
It honestly didn't do anything for my skin didn't help with breakouts, evening out my skin or dark spots.
A miracle for my skin 5
EmmaLemma from Washington State
Routine:
I wash my face once a day, in the evening.
Pre cleanser: Albolene, wipe before washing face
Face wash: Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
Serum: THIS!!
Moisturizer: Cerave moisturizing cream
SPF: Babyganics 50+
I bought three different items from the ordinary, to try to find what worked for me. The glycolic acid toner left me very sensitive. Next, I tried their AHA peel (the beet colored one) and that would break me out for two days following use.
I had a problem with fine lines, dry skin that wouldn't seem to leave, and therefore I couldn't seem to absorb my moisturizers-- because the dead skin was blocking it.
When I tried this product, I saw a difference overnight. That has never happened to me before, but now I am glad to say I have a routine that is simple, and effective.
My pores appear smaller, my smile lines have been erased, and my makeup looks better than ever, since I no longer have a layer of dead skin. I don't usually leave reviews for products, but I would recommend this to ANYONE who is struggling with dry skin that is stubborn to exfoliate.
HOW I USE:
After washing my face at night, I let my skin air dry. I wash my hands, put a whole dropper full of this product in the palm of my hand (more is more with this I have found) and I spread it around my whole face except my under-eye area.
I will leave this on for five minutes, I feel that this helps it be more effective. After that, I moisturize and go to sleep.
When I wake up, I rinse and apply my spf lotion. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Every toner/chemical peel will cause sun sensitivity, so you will be going backwards if you skip this step.
My skin has ever looked smoother, even textured, and the best part is that this does NOT dry my skin. It has helps me maintain my skins balance better than ever.
Would repurchase 5
JP from US
I really like this Lactic Acid! I have dry skin that tend to be sensitive at times, and I read that both Lactic Acid and Mandelic acid are great AHA options for more sensitive skin. I decided to try this 5% instead of the 10%, especially to begin with and I'm glad because I've had no issues with breakouts or irritation! I use this at night, and alternate nights with Granactive Retinoid to avoid too many actives at once. I do use a Glycolic (Paula's Choice 5%) once a week for a "stronger" AHA, but for daily use, especially in the winter, this product is great. I'll also add that I like the Mandelic acid from TO as well, but between the two, I prefer the 5% lactic acid. From what I've read, it boils down to the size of the molecules and how fast acting the product is. Mandelic acid has the largest molecule, so it's considered gentler because it takes longer to absorb over time. Lactic acid is slightly smaller, so absorbs quicker, and a Glycolic has the smallest of the 3, so absorbs the quickest and feels "stronger". There are obviously other AHA's, but these are the 3 I use. I will still use Mandelic on days my skin just needs a hydration break with some very light exfoliation, but for the most part, I've noticed I reach for the Lactic Acid slightly more often, and will probably gravitate back to Mandelic when it gets cold again.
Works! 5
Crys89 from AZ
I use this once a week after double cleansing and before hydrating serum and moisturizer and it actually exfoliates my skin and makes it glowy the next day! Will keep repurchasing for sure or go up to 10%.
A great, inexpensive product 5
Kat from NE Alabama
This is a great product for exfoliating dry skin. I use it every night under my moisturizer. I couldn't live without it.
Understand how skin reacts before judging 5
chez from Iowa
this is great! at first it burned a little so I mixed it with my moisturizer and that definitely helped me out. Also my skin did purge, this is VERY common. People saying it made them get break outs aren't understanding how skincare works. the purge is proof its working. its getting into all those places that hold trapped oils and dirt and forcing it out due to cell turnover. A purge can be horrible but sticking with it has the best results. mine lasted about 4 weeks then suddenly stopped and my skin is glowing. Using a new skin care system takes 3 -6 weeks to see a difference. No such thing as instant results
BURNING AND BREAKOUTS 1
Janae E from California
I am not new to acids, but this definitely did not agree with my skin. After application I immediately felt burning and when I woke up I has two new breakouts. I will be returning this.
Love it!! 5
Litzy from New York
I love this product. I heard about the ordinary from Hyram. And I wanted to try a gentle chemical exfoliant for my sensitive skin. I decided to buy this product because it is a gentle exfoliant that isn't too strong. I was scared to use it because I have sensitive skin and I never used a chemical exfoliant before. It did a wonderful job. My skin looks amazing. My acne and acne marks have reduced greatly. I only used it once a week and gradually increased the weekly usage as time went by to allow my sensitive skin to get used to it. It did not burn and now I use it every day. I recently repurchased. I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Especially for people who want to use a chemical exfoliant but never used one before. It is a great product to start with and help to build the skin tolerance.
GREAT PRODUCT 5
Sarah from Illinois
First serum I have ever tried! Makes my skin feels very smooth and exfoliated. For the first couple uses it did burn a little bit, so use a small amount until your skin adapts. 10/10 will buy again when I run out!
Not for sensitive skin sadly 1
Stephanie from Illinois
I ordered this product because I developed milia and I wanted a mild exfoliant. I did a patch test as instructed, and had no issues. However once I put it in my face, my skin immediately became splotchy and red. I had to rewash my face so it wouldn't get worse. I even mixed it with a hyaluronic acid to dilute it. I really wanted it to work because it's affordable and this brand had great reviews. Unfortunately I will not be purchasing anything from this brand because I don't want to risk getting another bad reaction. Will most definitely be returning this item. K
Easy On Sensitive Skin 5
Just Me from Midwest
This is easy on my sensitive skin.
Smoother less irritated skin 5
Jen Du from Indianapolis, IN
I have a patch of skin at the corner of my mouth that gets quite irritated and looks red and inflamed and flakes and it is super gross. Years ago I had tried everything to improve that patch of skin and had landed on a very expensive lactic acid product that literally worked overnight at getting rid of this patch that I had fought with for years. After awhile I stopped using it because it was just way out of my budget and the patch came back with a vengeance. I ordered the ordinary 5% and started mixing 5 drops with my moisturizer on the back of my hand and applying it every night. This product didn't work as quickly as the other pricier treatment but after a week the patch is almost totally gone, my complexion is brighter and my skin texture overall is much smoother. Very happy with the results especially for the price and this will be a regular part of my skin routine.
Will rebuy again. New staple 5
Alexandra from Nevada
I've gone through over half the jar in the last year, and it seems to last a while even though I use a lot. I apply this most nights with my moisturizer and even a facial oil. It makes the texture of my skin so nice and even. Every morning after using, my skin looks and feels brighter and firmer. You can feel how firm your face is (in a good way) without the tight feeling like it's dried out. It has helped with me acne scarring, pigmentation, and any dead skin for a healthy, glowing result. Will buy over and over this is a holy grail
No... 1
Sad from Why do you ask
This serum burned and scarred my face so much. I have acne prone skin, and my skin isn't sensitive. I don't know why this happened, since The Ordinary products mostly work well for me.
Bumps 4
Jennifer from Orange County
I use amlactin for my backne and kp on my arms but I've noticed that there hasn't been much improvement lately. I'm hoping this more pure version of lactic acid will help with my kp! The higher percentage of acid in th trout should help!
Amazing at clearing purging 5
Summer from USA
I'm on prescription strength retinol which keeps making me purge and breakout all along my jawline with inflamed whiteheads. I started using this in the morning under my moisturizer even though I'm not supposed to be using other active ingredients and just hoped it wouldn't cause irritation. This is AMAZING and helped clear most of my breakouts in a few days. There's still some redness but the active pimples are basically gone. The hyaluronic acid in this helps to prevent dryness/irritation also. I love love love this.
Improved texture and look 5
LDP from Washington
Honestly I am newish to the skin care game, and at almost 40 yrs old ... I should have been taking better care of it sooner. So that being said, I LOVE this lactic acid! My skin feels smoother, has less bumps, and seems to drink up my moisturizer better. I use it at least 3 nights per wk, and alternate a retinoid the other nights. This will be staying in the game for a long time!
10/10 5
Cynthia-Anne99 from Midwest
I enjoy this product so much. I really think this is what my skin has needed. I have combination skin with acne mostly on my side cheeks, chin and forehead (dominantly black heads and little bumps). I mostly use this product on the sides of my cheeks, chin, and forehead. I can say it's proven insanely effective. All the little bumps and black heads I had have vanished over the last 3 weeks of using it. I do get the occasional spot here and there though.
It isn't abrasive nor does it burn when I apply it, but I can only speak for my skin. I use it three days in a row during my nightly routine after I wash my skin and before I put on my acne gel and moisturizer. I haven't noticed an increased dryness, other than what's been caused by winter weather. A little goes a long way as well! Just enough to rub it into your skin will do. I hope others find this product helpful because I surely do.
LOVE! 5
Anna from Little Rock, Arkansas
I am a nurse and i have horrible maskne from keeping a respirator mask on for 13 hours at a time. I never had this problem up until now. I've used this only twice and it has drastically improved my breakouts! I love this product and will continue to use it!!😍