The Ordinary
Reddit’s top recommendations · 21 products
1344
Recommendations
Reddit’s top pick from The Ordinary
567recs
This 10% azelaic acid suspension offers a budget-friendly, fragrance-free spot and redness treatment favored for rosacea and PIH, but its silicone-heavy cream texture tends to pill and irritate sensitive or compromised skin, with frequent reports of dryness, burning, and purging during the adjustment phase.
Community take
The Ordinary is beloved in the skincare community for its science-backed, no-frills approach, offering potent active ingredients at wallet-friendly prices that make advanced skincare accessible to many. Its standout products like Azelaic Acid Suspension, Niacinamide, and Glycolic Acid toners deliver visible benefits, especially for texture and acne-prone skin. However, users often note concerns with inconsistent product textures, occasional irritation from high-strength actives, and somewhat basic packaging which feels less luxurious compared to higher-end brands.
61%
positive
Pros
- Affordable, ingredient-focused formulations that offer effective actives like Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide
- Transparent ingredient lists that help users understand what they're applying
- Accessible price point makes specialist actives attainable for a wide audience
Watch out for
- Some products have texture or formulation issues leading to inconsistent user experiences
- High-strength actives can cause irritation if not introduced carefully
- Minimalist packaging can feel cheap or less premium to some users
cleanser
42recs
A balm-to-oil gentle cleanser favored for its lightweight, fragrance-free, and non-irritating formula that effectively removes sunscreen and makeup without stripping, though some with sensitive or acne-prone skin report breakouts or irritation.
moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
See alternatives42recs
Simple, fragrance-free moisturizer with natural moisturizing factors and HA that works well on dry to combination skin but often disappoints those with sensitive or acne-prone skin due to clogging and irritation.
oil
49recs
Lightweight, plant-based squalane oil beloved for calming sensitive, dry, and compromised skin while supporting the moisture barrier but can feel heavy or sit on top if over-applied.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
See alternatives31recs
Lightweight, vitamin-rich facial oil favored by many with dry or combo skin for nighttime hydration and subtle brightening effects, though it can trigger breakouts or irritation for acne-prone and sensitive users.
100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane
See alternatives4recs
Fast-absorbing, lightweight plant-derived oil praised for tackling dry skin and oily breakout-prone faces without greasiness or heaviness.
100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
See alternatives3recs
Lightweight cold-pressed oil favored as a gentle, non-clogging final step that adds richness to moisturizers for dry or barrier-compromised skin.
retinoid
12recs
Low-concentration retinol in a squalane base, often recommended as a gentle intro for anti-aging and acne but notorious for irritation if overused or applied to sensitive spots.
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
See alternatives8recs
A 2% next-gen retinoid emulsion favored as a gentler retinol alternative for dry and sensitive skin, with decent acne and anti-aging effects when added slowly to night routines.
7recs
1% retinol in a squalane base delivers strong anti-aging effects favored for body wrinkles but demands slow introduction due to a harsh purge and irritation risk, especially for sensitive and dry skin.
6recs
0.5% retinol in squalane offers a middle ground strength retinol that users introduce gradually for pore refinement and anti-aging with some hydration buffering to limit barrier issues.
serum
176recs
High-concentration niacinamide serum with zinc that many acne-prone and oily skin users find effective for oil regulation and fading marks, but it causes irritation, breakouts, and barrier issues in sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
110recs
Hydrating serum with 2% hyaluronic acid and B5 that plumps dehydrated and combination skin when applied on damp skin but often criticized for stickiness, pilling, and causing irritation or redness in sensitive users.
9recs
Fade dark spots with 2% alpha arbutin plus HA for hydration, though it takes 2-3 months to see results and is often overshadowed by stronger options like tretinoin or azelaic acid.
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
See alternatives8recs
Powdery 23% L-ascorbic acid suspension with HA spheres that delivers brightening and hyperpigmentation-fading punch but stings dry or barrier-compromised skin, making layering and sensitive skin users hesitant.
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
See alternatives5recs
Mild and stable 12% vitamin C glucoside serum that brightens, fades PIH, and is often recommended for sensitive skin or those easing into vitamin C with minimal irritation risk.
Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
See alternatives4recs
A morning vitamin C serum with 8% ascorbic acid and 2% alpha arbutin that targets hyperpigmentation and acne scars but can sting and trigger rosacea flare-ups for sensitive skin.
toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
See alternatives184recs
A 7% glycolic acid exfoliating toner frequently used 1-3 times weekly for smoothing texture, reducing clogged pores, and fading minor hyperpigmentation, but notorious for irritating sensitive, dry, or compromised skin and worsening redness or breakouts.
treatment
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
See alternatives32recs
High-strength chemical exfoliant with 30% AHA and 2% BHA that r/SkincareAddiction users treat as a weekly peel for smoothing texture and fading stubborn dark spots but beware of irritation and barrier damage risks.
27recs
2% salicylic acid serum favored for clearing small forehead bumps and blackheads but notorious for drying, irritating, and damaging the moisture barrier with frequent or concurrent use.
17recs
A go-to 10% lactic acid exfoliant boosted with hyaluronic acid that's favored for brightening dull, textured, and post-acne skin but notorious for being drying and irritating to sensitive or compromised barriers.