The Ordinary
Reddit’s top recommendations · 21 products
1377
Recommendations
Reddit’s top pick from The Ordinary
582recs
10% suspension that’s popular for targeting redness, mild rosacea, and post-acne marks with a creamy, silicone-heavy texture that some find irritating or prone to pilling.
Community take
The Ordinary is beloved in the skincare community for its transparent, science-driven formulations and highly affordable price point, making effective actives accessible to many skincare enthusiasts. The brand’s minimalist approach focuses on single-ingredient or targeted combinations that allow users to customize routines. While praised for value and efficacy, the community often notes that some formulas can be irritating or require careful usage due to potency and texture issues.
60%
positive
Pros
- Very affordable pricing for active ingredients
- Evidence-based, straightforward formulations
- Wide range of effective, targeted treatments
- Transparency in ingredients and concentrations
Watch out for
- Some products can cause irritation or sensitivity
- Inconsistent texture or application experience in certain products
- Minimalist packaging can feel utilitarian or cheap to some
cleanser
43recs
Gentle balm-to-oil cleanser that emulsifies on wet skin, widely used by those with sensitive or compromised barriers for makeup and sunscreen removal but can cause breakouts or irritation in acne-prone skin.
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-derived squalane oil praised mainly by dry and sensitive skin users for barrier repair and hydration with minimal irritation risk but can feel too rich or cause occasional breakouts in some.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
See alternatives32recs
A lightweight, organic cold-pressed facial oil prized by some for hydration, redness reduction, and gentle support of the moisture barrier, but with mixed results for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
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
13recs
Low-strength retinol in an oil base favored by beginners and budget-conscious users aiming to introduce retinoids gradually while managing dryness or irritation.
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
181recs
This serum offers a high 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc combo aimed at reducing oiliness, improving pores, and fading pigmentation, though many users find its potency too irritating or breakout-prone for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
112recs
The 2% hyaluronic acid + B5 serum is r/SkincareAddiction's classic hydrating go-to, praised for plumping skin and supporting barrier repair when applied on damp skin but divisive for causing stickiness and irritation in some users.
11recs
A widely discussed 2% alpha arbutin serum combined with hyaluronic acid that many use daily to target hyperpigmentation and dark spots, but results often take 2-3 months and can be underwhelming for some.
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
See alternatives9recs
A high-concentration, water-free vitamin C formula praised for quick brightening and fading dark spots but notorious for its gritty, stinging texture that irritates dry and sensitive skin.
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 alternatives188recs
Widely used as a 7% exfoliating toner 1–3 times a week for brightening and smoothing texture, this AHA is praised for affordable body and face use but notorious in the community for barrier irritation and flare-ups if overused or layered with other actives.
treatment
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
See alternatives33recs
A potent chemical exfoliant with 30% AHA and 2% BHA that weekly users say delivers a noticeable glow and texture smoothing but is notorious for stinging, potential barrier damage, and a challenging purge/or irritation phase especially when combined with other actives.
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.