Product Reviews Rated 3.25 out of 5 stars
570 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review A little goes a long way I slowly added this to my routine. At first, odd to feel grit. Applied during the day, I noticed soft, moist look to my complexion. Grit disappeared. Initially, I used it at night. I will change my routine to use it during day with light hyaluronic acid product and use retinol products at night. I did have some breakout. Salycilic acid (acne spot medicine) and benzoyl peroxide knocked that down fast!
I will continue to buy and use this.
I researched substitute products for Rodan Fields Brightening routine and found THE ORDINARY products offered similar items I could afford and adjust when and how I applied them. I added Neutrogena salycilic acid as an AHA and Benzoyl Peroxide products for breakouts. With the TA pealing serum, i already corrected a raised rough skin area on my face. One on my arm is well on the way to disappearing.
I've had people notice my skin looks good!
WEAR SUNSCREEN PEEPS!
Absolutely, I will buy again.
The Ordinary are fabulous products to try and experiment on what combination i prefer. Love Love Love
Most Helpful Critical Review Bad purchase I bought this in person without knowing that different concentrations of vitamin C should be used for different skin types, so part of this is definitely my fault! I have reactive, sensitive, combination skin and I had no idea that this product should not be used by people with skin like mine until doing further research ***after*** purchasing and using. Due to this, my skin became inflamed and irritated within the first 2 hours of application. This is my fault.
However, I still wouldn't recommend to people who don't have my same skin type. It goes onto the skin and leaves a very greasy and oily residue, and it never soaked into my skin, even though I left it on for a little over 2 hours. It's also somewhat gritty, although there aren't too many of them throughout the product, there's these very small, sand-like granules in it. Wearing this felt awful, not only because of the inflammation but also because the product itself is just a bad texture. It's also so watery even though it's a water-free formula? I opened it and applied almost no pressure, and it spilled out so fast all over my hand and made a mess on the lid of the bottle.
TLDR: Don't buy this if you have sensitive skin or sensory issues
Reviewed by 570 customers Unimpressed 1
MandyB from Jefferson City, MO
I had such high hopes. It burned more that it should, though it did state there could be a slight burning sensation. It did nothing to improve or brighten my skin. Very disappointed in this considering the hype this brand has.
Three stars is fair 3
Turbo from MI
Ok, it does burn. I could get past it and honestly I do think my pores were smaller after using this. But I can find more comfortable products that do the same.
Best of Ordinary! 5
Earthgirl from north carolina
I love all of Ordinary's products that I've tried, affordable and effective! I really like how the vitamin C brightens my skin while the "grit" exfoliates. The gritty feel seems to dissipate in a short time. I LOVE and recommend this!
Weird 2
cowgirlkiwi from Oklahoma
Gritty!! A little goes a long way! It works. The grit is a little ruff on my skin don't really understand the grit. The sting was as expected. If you mix with a serum it helps a lot with the grit. It did break me out in a rash on my throat but that is a real temperamental skin for some reason. Anyways I continue to use it not on my throat. It helps but my fav Ordinary is the Hyaluronic acid!!!!♥️
A little goes a longgggg way 5
Jo from Las Vegas, NV
I used to use the Timeless 20% vit c serum which I loved but it ALWAYS made my skin immediately react and turn bright red. BUT THIS STUFF! This is amazing. A little really goes a longggggg way, and I recommend mixing a pea size amount with another serum because it will take away the gritty feeling from this used in its own. This has really made my skin so smooth in a matter of days and has reduced fine lines around my eyes. Love! Will repurchase.
It's all true 4
51 year old woman from Connecticut
Yes, it's gritty and it stings. But does it work? YES. I mix it with a good moisturizer to avoid the sting. It took around 6 weeks for me to see the difference in my skin but there is a definite difference. My skin became more even toned and brightened. It also protects against the sun in conjunction with a sunscreen. My dermatologist even agreed it's a great product and useful in protecting against the sun. And you can't beat the price!
horrible 1
amanda from boston
thew it away
It feels like a scrub. 1
Liz from Wine Country
What how why is it gritty? How are you supposed to use this under makeup? I have many other products from Ordinary and they are fantastic. Argireline, matrixyl, caffine, hyaluronic acid, hair density(really works!). I thought how great they're doing an affordable vitamin c, but nope. For me this is unusable.
weird formula 2
didn't like from ia
I found this gritty , wouldn't purchase again
Half empty bottle 1
Kayla from Chesapeake
What a ripe off. The bottle had to be squeezed and folded to get just a little out. The bottle was filled with air.
Love this product!! 5
Kitty Kat Kristan from Georgia
I have been using this product for about five months and I love how moisturizing it is! I mix it in with my moisturizing cream to take away from the sting and gritty feel. I rub it in my hands and add it to my face. It has helped to tone my face as well! Love!
Worth a try 4
Jijip from Nashville
The reviews about the pilling effect and the odd texture of the application are true but not dealbreakers. It burns the first time or two but it nice you get tolerance it's fine. I would be careful about exfoliating hard and applying afterwards as that could be intense.
I am in love! 5
Maria from Boston
This is my new go to line! Great products, great prices!
Stings a little 3
Kait from Grand Rapids, MI
Highest concentrate vitamin C there is for the price. It does sting a little bit when applied which I was warned about with previous reviews. Didn't notice a drastic difference in my skin yet, have been using for ~1 month.
Gritty texture but otherwise a good product 3
P from Seattle, Wa
I use this product in the mor ings after I wash
my face. I do not like the gritty sand feeling it leaves for a few hours before settling in. Otherwise its a great product for the cost.
Prefect vitamin c cream to add to your skincare routine 5
Cosmiccort from Nashville
I use this product after toning with glycolic acid. Since glycolic acid is water soluble this is the perfect end to my night regimen.
You get what you pay for 4
Angie from Bellingham, WA
It works well enough. Works better combined with a moisturizer, it becomes less gritty that way.
I hated how it burned my face and made it feel tacky. 1
Kj from Ohio
Burned when I put it on and no matter how much/ or little a used my face felt extremely tacky
Wouldn't buy again 1
Jenna from Albany, NY
I tried this because some Ordinary products have been worth it - unfortunately this one feels like it has microscopic pieces of glass in it, very abrasive on my skin. It also isn't as smooth, obviously, as other vitamin C serums - probably because of the HA spheres? I can't be certain it was from this, but I did feel like I had increased skin sensitivity after its use. You're better off putting the 5 bucks towards a higher quality product.
WORTH THE "WEIRD" TEXTURE 5
Whitney from Texas
PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION CARFULLY BEFORE PURCHASE.
I know a lot of people complain about the texture being off, but it's in the name! "HA Spheres 2%." SPHERES.
ANYWHO, this is a great moisturizer. I have oily acne prone skin that is sensitive to Vitamin C and similar acids. This really does moisturize my skin without clogging my pores. I only use it in the PM because of the texture. When I wake up, my skin looks bright, and I've noticed my hyperpigmentation from acne has really lightened. Just give it a shot!
skincare staple 5
baylee from massachusetts
i have very oily acne prone skin. this product completely cleared my skin after one use! the only downside is that the smells it a little weird and it tends to pill but mixing it with my moisture helps with the pilling. a holy grail if i could give 10 stars i would
Made All The Difference!!! 5
Ordinary Fan from Ohio
I use this product at night after moisturizer to cut down on stinging. This is a very strong Vit C product. I have noticed visible improvement in my skin texture and brightness.
Not buying again 2
Love from Kentucky
Everyone's skin reacts differently to products what's good for some may not be good for someone else. I felt this product was to greasy for my skin & it does burn my skin. Had to stop using.
It Lightens; but, it Stinks! 3
TXMommaBear68 from Texas
It Stinks. It says unscented but it smells to high heaven!
Combination Skin Win 4
Jas from Baltimore
While this product does have a gritty texture and after smell that takes long to fade, none of that bothers me! I love how moisturized my skin feels after use. This product works super well for my combination skin! It does sting just a bit but the benefits outweigh the negatives for me. if you can get past those initial parts, I think its a win.