The Best The Ordinary Products: 9 Picks by Skin Concern

The best The Ordinary products are Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.00) for oily, blemish-prone skin, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($9.90) for dehydrated skin, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% ($12.20) for redness and post-acne marks, and Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion ($12.10) as a first retinoid. Round them out with Salicylic Acid 2% Solution for clogged pores, Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA for dark spots and Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner for rough texture, and add only one active at a time.

Before you buy, you can scan a bottle's barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check it against your skin type. Pori reads the ingredient list for you; it does not diagnose skin conditions.

Quick picks

• Best overall: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.00, theordinary.com): the cheapest useful first active for shine, congestion and the look of blemishes.
• Best for dryness: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 with Ceramides ($9.90, theordinary.com): a hydrating layer with no conflicts listed by the brand.
• Best for acne: Salicylic Acid 2% Solution ($6.70, theordinary.com): a 2% salicylic acid serum made for acne-prone skin.
• Best for redness and post-acne marks: Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% ($12.20, theordinary.com): targets uneven tone, texture and the look of redness.
• Best for dark spots: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($11.50, theordinary.com): a gentle brightening serum you can use morning and evening.
• Best for rough texture: Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner ($9.00, theordinary.com): a leave-on AHA toner for dullness and bumpy skin.
• Best first retinoid: Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion ($12.10, theordinary.com): a newer retinoid the brand says is less likely to irritate than retinol.

We compared published ingredient lists, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are list prices on theordinary.com (US) as of November 2026. This page ranks products. For who owns the brand, how to read its names and full routines by skin type, see our The Ordinary skincare guide.

How do the best The Ordinary products compare?

Which The Ordinary products are best for acne?

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: best overall

The brand says it targets signs of congestion, visible shine, dullness and textural irregularities, and lists it for all skin types at $6.00 for 30 ml. Niacinamide is one of the best-tolerated actives, and zinc PCA is there for oil control.

Who it suits: oily and combination skin, and anyone who wants one simple active morning and night. Who should skip it: people whose skin stings with 10% niacinamide; a lower-strength serum is kinder. The catch: The Ordinary says not to use it in the same routine as vitamin C, direct or indirect. Our Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% review goes through the evidence and the texture complaints.

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution: best for acne

This water-based serum is labeled for acne-prone skin, with salicylic acid at 2% and a pH of 3.20 to 4.00. The product page lists it at $6.70 for 30 ml and suggests once a day in the evening, after cleansing and before moisturizer. Salicylic acid works inside oily pores, so it suits blackheads and small clogged bumps.

Who it suits: oily and acne-prone skin, including teens with mild to moderate acne, which the page mentions. Who should skip it: sensitive skin, which the brand says it may not suit. The catch: it conflicts with retinoids, other direct acids and peptides, so it cannot share a night with Granactive Retinoid.

Which The Ordinary products are best for dark spots and redness?

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%: best for redness and post-acne marks

The brand describes this as a cream-like brightening formula that targets uneven tone, textural irregularities, dullness and the look of redness, at $12.20. Azelaic acid is a good fit for the brown or red marks that pimples leave behind, and The Ordinary says it is generally well tolerated by sensitive skin.

Who it suits: acne-prone skin with leftover marks (more on the ingredient in our azelaic acid guide), redness-prone skin and darker skin tones prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Who should skip it: anyone who dislikes a heavier, silicone-rich feel. The catch: it cannot share a routine with retinoids, direct acids, direct vitamin C or peptides. Our Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid Booster review compares it with a lighter, pricier option.

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: best for dark spots

This serum pairs 2% alpha arbutin with hyaluronic acid and targets uneven skin tone and dark spots. The Ordinary lists it at $11.50 for all skin types, morning and evening, with no conflicting products named on the page. Our alpha arbutin guide explains how it compares with other spot faders.

Who it suits: sun spots and post-acne marks on skin that cannot handle acids. Who should skip it: anyone expecting fast results; dark spots fade over months. The catch: no spot serum works without daily sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says effective treatment for dark spots begins with sunscreen, and our dark spot guide covers the full plan.

Which The Ordinary products are best for dry skin?

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides): best for dryness

The current version adds ceramides to five forms of hyaluronic acid and panthenol, and costs $9.90 for 30 ml. The brand lists no products to avoid with it, so it sits safely under any active.

Who it suits: any skin type that feels tight. Who should skip it: very dry skin that wants one rich cream instead of layers. The catch: apply it to damp skin and seal it with moisturizer, or it can feel tight in dry air. Our Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 review covers the new formula.

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: best budget moisturizer

At $6.70, this is a light, fragrance-free cream built from amino acids, PCA, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Who it suits: normal, combination and mildly dry skin. Who should skip it: very dry or flaky skin, which usually needs more oil and occlusion; the brand's NMF + PhytoCeramides ($10.80) is the richer version. See our NMF + HA review.

Which The Ordinary products are best for rough texture?

Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner: best for texture

This leave-on toner uses glycolic acid with aloe, ginseng and Tasmanian pepperberry, and costs $9.00. The brand says to use it once a day at most, ideally in the evening, and suggests that new acid users start two or three times a week.

Who it suits: normal, oily and combination skin with a rough or dull surface. Who should skip it: sensitive, peeling or compromised skin, which the brand rules out. The catch: AHAs raise sun sensitivity, and the page says to wear sunscreen while you use it and for a week afterward.

Lactic Acid 10% + HA: best gentler acid for dry skin

Lactic acid is a larger molecule than glycolic acid and is often chosen for dry, rough skin. The Ordinary sells the 10% version for $9.20 and a milder 5% version for $8.10. Use it once a day at most, in the evening.

Who it suits: dry, rough skin that wants smoothing. Who should skip it: sensitive or peeling skin, and anyone already using the glycolic toner. The catch: like every direct acid here, it stays off retinoid nights. Our Lactic Acid 10% + HA review compares the two strengths.

What is the best first retinoid from The Ordinary?

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion: best first retinoid

This creamy serum uses hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which the brand says gives results comparable to retinol with less risk of irritation. It costs $12.10 for 30 ml and targets fine lines, texture and uneven tone.

Who it suits: anyone starting a retinoid for early signs of aging or texture. Who should skip it: people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, which the brand advises against. The catch: it is not an acne treatment, it must be refrigerated after opening and used within three months, and it cannot share a routine with acids or vitamin C. The AAD advises starting any retinoid slowly and using sunscreen; our Granactive Retinoid review and retinol for beginners guide give a schedule.

Once your skin tolerates it, the next steps are Retinol 0.5% in Squalane ($9.30) or Retinol 1% in Squalane ($9.90). Retinal 0.2% Emulsion ($14.90 for 15 ml) is the brand's strongest retinoid; see retinal vs retinol for the difference.

Which The Ordinary products should you skip?

• AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution as a first buy. The brand says it is only for experienced acid users, should stay on for no more than 10 minutes, and should be used once or twice a week at most.
• Retinal 0.2% Emulsion as a first retinoid. The Ordinary itself points beginners to Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or Retinol 0.2% in Squalane first.
• Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG if you expect big changes. Expect a modest, short-term effect on puffiness; our Caffeine Solution review explains why.

How do you combine The Ordinary products safely?

Each product page has a "Do not use with" list. Keep retinoids, direct acids and azelaic acid in separate routines, and never layer two acids. Keep niacinamide away from vitamin C. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, NMF + HA and Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA list no conflicts and go with anything.

• Morning: cleanser, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, NMF + HA, then broad-spectrum sunscreen.
• Evening, night A: cleanser, Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, NMF + HA.
• Evening, night B: cleanser, one acid (Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid) or Azelaic Acid, NMF + HA.

Add one new product at a time and give it four weeks or more before you judge it. The AAD says acne products usually show improvement in four to six weeks, and that trying too many products can stress skin and make acne worse. It also notes that exfoliating while using retinoids can worsen dryness. Our list of skincare ingredients not to mix covers other brands. For a sunscreen and cleanser to pair with these serums, see The Ordinary vs CeraVe; for the closest budget rival, see The Ordinary vs The INKEY List.

How we chose

We took the five concerns people search for most (acne, dark spots, dryness, texture and a first retinoid) and picked the product on theordinary.com that targets each with the fewest conflicts. We checked each US product page in November 2026 for price, target concerns, directions, warnings and its "Do not use with" list. We did not wear-test anything and took no payment from the brand. Formulas vary by region, so check the box you buy, and patch test first. More options are in our serum catalogue.