When I first got into skin care in my early 20s, the Ordinary was one of my go-tos. Its serums were mostly below $20, so I could experiment with potent, high-quality ingredients and not worry about about how much I was spending. That trial and error truly helped me figure out how to take care of my temperamental skin. It’s dry, sensitive, and acne-prone — a tricky combination. But since I had the flexibility to test out ingredients, over time I discovered mandelic acid and niacinamide and so many other things that keep my skin happy to this day. All that to say, I’m a big fan of the brand. But as a true Ordinary fan, I can also identify its drawbacks. The brand launches products frequently and is really focused on introducing new ingredients and formulations to a skin-care-obsessed clientele. That means there is a lot to choose from, which is confusing and intimidating to someone who’s new to the brand. The good news is I’ve tried most of what the brand has to offer and am here to guide you. Below, my top-tier picks from the Ordinary.
If you’re anything like me and have ultra-sensitive skin but still want something that’ll tackle acne and brighten, too, this mandelic-acid serum is an excellent choice. Mandelic acid is an AHA with a larger molecule than its more famous siblings, glycolic and lactic acid — its bigger size means it penetrates the skin slower, making it the gentlest of the bunch. It’s also naturally antibacterial, so it’s great for anyone prone to breakouts or congestion. This formula also uses glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so your skin is getting hydration as well as exfoliation, which we love.
If you often get that tight or stripped feeling when you wash your face, you should try this creamy squalane cleanser. Squalane is one of my favorite ingredients for dry and acne-prone skin because it’s extremely hydrating without being pore-clogging. This is definitely more suitable for drier skin types, as it does leave behind a soft, moisturized feeling that might be a bit much for someone with oily skin. But as an eczema girly, I adore it.
It’s ridiculous how expensive some popular hyaluronic-acid serums on the market are — meanwhile, this one is exists! This serum uses both hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are fatty acids that support our skin barrier, so you’re getting maximum hydration. After complaints that this serum was a bit too tacky, the brand recently reformulated it so it has a more palatable, watery consistency. Apply this on damp skin, as it will enhance the serum’s ability to draw moisture from the environment and deeply hydrate the skin, maximizing its plumping and moisturizing effects.
This is a relatively new product from the Ordinary, and it’s one that I’m really excited about. A happy skin barrier is the key to balanced skin, as your barrier acts as a protective shield to prevent moisture loss and defend against environmental aggressors. Harsh skin-care products and over exfoliation can compromise this barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and increased susceptibility to irritants. This serum is something you can use to treat a damaged skin barrier as well as use preventively — if you’re applying something strong, like a powerful exfoliant or retinoid, using this serum afterward will help infuse soothing, calming, and anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce the possibility of barrier disruption. The serum uses ingredients like centella (one of my favorites for redness and irritation) as well as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and glycerin, which all work to deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin.
On the topic of very strong exfoliators and damaging skin barriers, let’s discuss this semi-controversial product that caused quite a stir back in 2020. During the height of lockdown, when we were all obsessively scrolling on TikTok and trying out new skin care, this product picked up a lot of steam. But what people didn’t realize is just how strong this serum is: It has 30 percent AHA and 2 percent BHA. Long story short, people (but more specifically teens) started using this product a little too much and really damaging their skin barrier, leading to irritation, inflammation, and just generally unfortunate results. But the truth is if you use this product correctly — meaning you only use it once a week at the very most — it has really great results! The high concentration of acids allows for a really great polishing effect, helping to fade hyperpigmentation and add an amazing brightness to the skin. The kick of BHA is also great for controlling oil and any stubborn acne. But once again: If you buy this, please use it responsibly.
Azelaic acid is one of my favorite products for hyperpigmentation and acne, as it has both anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to inhibit melanin production to fade dark spots. So it’s great at treating active acne as well as the damage that past acne has caused. This particular product is a suspension formula, which means it’s more on the creamy side, so if you’re integrating it into your routine, you should apply it after any water-based serums (like a hyaluronic-acid serum) and before your moisturizer.
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