Product Reviews Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars
315 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Love this product DEFINATLY my new FAVORITE retinol product! After YEARS of using retinol & vitamin C daily on my skin my skin is flawless. I swear by retinol & vitamin C as 2 of the most primary skin care products needed to retain youthful, clear, smooth, healthy, skin. I have always paid a lot of money for the pricey skin care lines. I have 2 specific ones that I have used for years & although they work good no one wants to spend $100.00 on a skin care product but as women we will & do to stay beautiful :). So when I came across The ordinary line I was eager to try it. However it was impossible to get any Retinol because it was always sold out. I am assuming the only reason it is available now is because people realize it expires quickly thus they only buy what is needed. That is my only complaint about this product because is it AMAZING!!!. Coming from someone that has tried every pricey retinol product there is that speaks volumes!!! I LOVE this product & I hope that the company that sells it can find a way to extend the life of the product so it does not expire as quickly because I would like to buy more than 1 at a time. I like to always have 2 (back up) of my favorite of anything so I am not without when I get low on a product because I have a back up until I can get another. However I can't do that with this product because it expires so quickly. As far as the few negative reviews that I have read about the consistency of this product, yes it is oily/greasy but any good retinol product is going to have somewhat of a greasy/oily consistency. Further it does NOT cause break out's or blemishes because I have super acne prone skin & I have used it 4 times now over the past 2 weeks & not 1 break out, in fact my skin is absolutely flawless clear. My blackheads are even gone, my pores are smaller & my skin just feels & looks incredible. I can NOT brag enough on this product . BRAVO to the makers of The Ordinary!
Most Helpful Critical Review Not for Seborrheic dermatiti sufferers So prior to this I was using a different retinol. But it was costly and seeing as I use the glycolic serum in this brand I decided to try this retinol. For a month things were great. Skin was glowing, no breakouts except for a tiny barely there pimple here and there when ever I try a new product. It's how I know it's working for me. My TBT pimples are from my skin purging the deep down dirt, clogged pores and what ever I want out of my skin. So winning. But then my eye lid began itching, and the itching became inflammation, and boom raised scales. My Seborrheic dermatitis was triggered. Took me a little while to put it together that this was causing it. If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis or have sensitive skin this may trigger you. Once I removed out of my rotation my skin subsided to normal (I only get my inflammation on my eye lid). So I can use retinol just not this one.
Reviewed by 315 customers I never leave reviews BUT HAD TO SPREAD THE WORD!! 5
Colbs from Bakersfield, CA
I have struggled with textured skin, acne scarring and existing black/white heads and very large pores for as long as I can remember. I am light complected with combination skin and have tried every serum and beauty product out there with reviews worth trying and nothing has helped my skin texture or splotchy patchy-ness… until I randomly picked this up at Ulta. I hate that the ordinary does not give great product descriptions.
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This stuff absolutely works. I work in healthcare and masks have destroyed my already suffering skin.. after about two weeks of changing nothing in my routine… aside from adding this serum… and holy cow!! I woke up and thought the lighting in my bathroom had to be different or something… maybe I'm going blind… until I start getting compliments on my skin… a lot of them… it works well enough for other people to notice. My skin hasn't looked this good in years!! If you have issues with your skin texture and tone, do yourself a favor and use this bad boy once a day!! You won't be sorry!
So far, great results 5
Noëlle from Wisconsin
I've only been using this for a few weeks now but wow.. I've been breaking out way less and my skin is soooo much smoother. I highly recommend this product. BUT make sure you use sunscreen during the day with this, it makes your skin sensitive to the sun but I really recommend using this.
Great beginner retinol 5
Amber from New York
Gentle formula that is great for beginners of retinol. I was worried this would cause peeling and irritation, but it makes my skin look hydrated and plump. I pair this with the hyaluronic acid serum, and my skin has never looked so refreshed.
Cleared my skin! 5
Jenn G from Orlando, FL
I started using this and didn't see results for a long time. I almost gave up BUT after a few weeks, my skin is finally clear and glowing. So happy I stuck with it.
Smaller pores 4
Turbo from MI
My skin is improved. Is it due to this serum or the other aspects of my routine? I don't know...but I would repurchase and find out
Ehh 3
Sydney from California
Can't really tell if it's made a difference in my skin. I've bought it again 1 or 2 times and stopped using it as consistently because I just don't notice any difference. I do like the price point though which is why I repurchase.
Reduces Appearance of Pores 5
Bet from Flint, MI
I use this product almost every night on my T-zone and chin. You need very little - about five drops or so to rub into your skin. It has greatly reduced the size of pores and therefore blackheads within just two weeks of use. It does not irritate my sensitive skin at all. It doesn't have a smell, but can feel greasy on your skin which is why I only use this product at night.
Not good for acne prone skin 1
BB8 from Los Angeles, CA
I used as directed and it broke me out so bad. I continued to use it for 4 months and never got over that "purge" phase. It also left my skin really red, even when I used spf during the day.
Odd smell 2
moonlightprincessxx from Portland,Oregon
So at first I really loved this product but after having it for a few months it now smells like pennies and the smell is so intense I had to throw it out
awesome 5
buy it from las vegas
I believe this is my 5th time buying this product. I love the price point and its gentle enough to even use around my eyes. I will continue to purchase.
Great product for all skin types. 5
Shay from NC
This is a good product, although some people may not like how it sits on the face. I know some people may consider this product to be "greasy" but honestly i think it makes the skin dewy and firm. I have oily skin, but this never makes it worse. It honestly helps it. Remember this is for fine lines and helps with anti-aging, and I strongly recommend using it in the morning with sunscreen! Remember not to use it with Glycolic acid to avoid over drying your face!
Saved my skin 5
Amelia from The Midwest
I've tried so many ordinary products, salicylic acid, niacinamide, the AHA & BHA mask, etc. & countless other brands to deal with my cystic hormonal acne from my IUD (I didn't want to take it out bc in every other way it's perfect) & this retinol at night with the ordinary lactic acid in the morning saved my skin. I went from having 15 to 20 pimples & cysts to none in 5 months and over a year later it's still going strong! Start with the 0.2% and work up to this one or your purge is gonna be awful! I'm about to make my 6th purchase.
10/10 would recommend
Amazing product!!! 5
ATX from austin, texas
My face love it!!!
Not for oily skin 2
Katlyn from Wisconsin
I have combo acne prone skin and I found this to be way too heavy, which doesn't happen for me often, I love a good heavy cream or serum. Way too oily for me, smears everywhere
Love, Love, Love! 5
The Olde Crow from Loveland, Colorado
I pat a few drops on my face after washing in the evening. After that, I pat my face with some moisturizing cream (CeraVe, good product also). I have unusually good skin for my age now that my acne has settled down. This will also help with anti-aging.
Took 7 months 5
Kiran from CA
But after the purging ended my skin looks soooo good! I'm glad I stuck with it. I just do 4-5 drops and put it on my face and neck at bedtime.
Love this product! 5
~Rose~ from Az
I've only been using this product for a week or 2 now and I've already seen great results.
Pretty good 4
Mariah from El Paso
I like this product but I it balls up every time I apply it. You have to pat it very gently into the skin because any slight rubbing with cause it to flake all over your skin. I have seen improvements since starting this product, and I am now on my second bottle.. i through out the first because it smelled funky, and I noticed this one is starting to smell the same way. Apparently you're supposed to refrigerate this stuff, so make sure you read the bottle. :,)
AWESOME RETINOL 5
KK from Meriden ct
This thing is seriously amazing I've been dealing with acne for so long and this helped so much to clear it up and remove my acne.I live by this product.
I think it works 4
Angie from Bellingham WA
Been using for months. Haven't noticed a huge difference, but I'm mainly using it for maintenance and it seems to work well for that
love this product 5
olivia from iowa
i know this sounds crazy but this product paired with the Nicinimide it has already helped my acne so much
:( itchy breakouts 2
Alexandra from Austin, Tx
My skin is so itchy and start to have a lot of breakouts! And I never have a breakout problems!
I can't live without it. 5
Ashley from Atlanta
I don't normally review products. But I don't know what it is about this stuff- it's incredible. My skin is normal/combination depending on the time of year. I do get some breakouts here and there. I am 32 so some signs of aging. This stuff I use at night and I ALWAYS notice results when I consistently use it and I ALWAYS notice my skin looking dull and gross when I stop using it. I've repurchases this stuff so many times. It's the best thing I have ever found for just an overall enhanced texture & glow.
Perfect for Winter 5
Joselyn from Indio
Since it's in squalene oil I think it's perfect to use or start during winter. I started using it a couple days ago and I don't feel a lot of irritation and I have no dry patches or redness. I recommend putting a little moisturizer before applying it and after applying. Start slow, for example use it every other night. Remember to use sunscreen in the am!!!
Great product 4
Dri from Ny
I ordered a bunch of face oils and this is the only one that didn't irritate my skin or make me itchy. It's light weight and moisturizing, little to no odor.