The Ordinary is honest about its formulas, affordable, and often effective. But online reviews are divided between enthusiastic results and serious disappointments, especially regarding customer service and product compatibility. Here's what you really need to know before buying.
The British brand, part of the Deciem group, built its reputation on a simple principle: concentrated skincare actives, minimalist packaging, and very low prices. The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum sells for around €6. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 costs about €10. These prices, unattainable from competitors, have convinced millions of people worldwide, including a rapidly growing French audience over the past twelve months.
But being cheap doesn't necessarily mean it's right for your skin. This guide analyzes the flagship products, the brand's real limitations, and frankly tells you what Korean skincare does differently.
Looking for concentrated actives in a more coherent routine? Korean serums often combine several complementary active ingredients, designed to work together. (see Korean serums)
What The Ordinary does really well 💊
The "active ingredient + nothing else" philosophy makes sense for certain profiles. If you know exactly what your skin needs and want a targeted product without fragrance or sophisticated texture, The Ordinary meets this demand.
Their most solid products according to user reviews and consulted dermatologists:
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: one of the best value for money on the market for regulating sebum and reducing minor imperfections. The Niacinamide concentration is clinically effective according to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2006). Use morning and evening on dry skin after toner.
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: effective surface hydration, very light texture, easily applied under a cream. Works on all skin types.
- Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: reliable, well-tolerated anti-spot active, to be used for 8 to 12 weeks to see visible results.
- AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: an iconic product but to be handled with caution. Reserved for skin already accustomed to acids, maximum once a week, never on irritated skin.
INCI transparency is a real strong point. Each product is named by its main active ingredient and its exact concentration. Who sells a "radiance serum" without saying what it contains? With The Ordinary, you know what you're buying.
The real limitations: why reviews are so divided 🔍
On Trustpilot, The Ordinary gets 2.1/5 from 702 reviews in France. This score does not reflect the quality of the formulas, which is generally recognized by dermatologists, but rather two structural issues.
First problem: customer service and logistics. The majority of negative reviews concern undelivered orders, significant delays (several weeks), a difficult-to-reach English-speaking customer service, and a highly criticized UPS carrier. These problems are documented, recurrent, and independent of the quality of the products themselves.
Second problem: complexity for the uninitiated. The Ordinary offers over 60 references. Without a clear guide, it's very easy to combine two incompatible actives: for example, retinol and exfoliating acids should not be used on the same night. Pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is very unstable and oxidizes quickly if not stored properly. These failed combinations lead to irritation, and subsequently, negative product reviews.
The brand has designed effective isolated products, but not necessarily a coherent routine. This is precisely where the Korean approach offers something fundamentally different.
The Ordinary vs Korean skincare: two very different philosophies ✨
The Ordinary and K-Beauty don't directly oppose each other, but their approach to skin differs on several important points.
| Criterion | The Ordinary | Korean Skincare |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | 1 product = 1 isolated active | Synergistic layered routine |
| Beginner Accessibility | Complex (risk of error) | Easy if guided |
| Formulation | Minimalist, functional textures | Rich, pleasant textures, coupled actives |
| Price | Very low (5-15€/product) | Affordable to medium (10-25€/product) |
| Skin Barrier | Not a priority in the range | Central in many formulas |
| Signature Actives | Niacinamide, AHA/BHA, retinol, peptides | Snail mucin, centella, heartleaf, PDRN, BI-PA |
| France Delivery Service | From UK, variable delays | From French stock, 24 to 72h |
If you want a single targeted active and know how to use it, The Ordinary is hard to beat on price. If you're looking for a complete routine that works together and protects the skin barrier, Korean brands like COSRX or Beauty of Joseon offer a formulating consistency that The Ordinary does not aim for.
If you're unsure which Korean brand suits your skin, our guide to the best Korean brands will help you quickly find your way.
Reviews of the most sought-after The Ordinary products in France 🔎
Here are the products that generate the most questions online and what users really say about them.
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: positive consensus. Effective on enlarged pores and shine. Visible results in 4 to 6 weeks. A few cases of purging in the first few weeks on acne-prone skin, which is normal and temporary. Compatible with almost all routines.
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane: a solid product for starting with retinol, a reasonable concentration in an oily vehicle that limits irritation. Vegetable squalane reduces the typical tightness sensation of retinols. To be used only at night, never before sun exposure.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: very effective but regularly causes irritation in people who use it too often or on skin not accustomed to acids. Dermatologists advise starting with something less strong. The 7% Glycolic Acid from the same range is a more reasonable introduction.
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: one of the best over-the-counter anti-spot actives. Results in 8 to 12 weeks. Well tolerated even on sensitive skin, provided it is not combined with pure vitamin C on the same day.
Specialist's advice: many people give up on The Ordinary after 2 weeks, concluding that "it doesn't work." The problem is almost always in the product combination or lack of patience. Skincare actives, Korean or not, require 4 to 12 weeks to show measurable results on skin texture.
Who is The Ordinary really for? 🧴
The Ordinary suits a very specific user profile: someone who already understands skincare actives, knows how to read an INCI list, and wants to target a specific problem without investing much. It's an excellent brand to complement an existing routine with a concentrated active.
It's not the ideal brand for starting out in skincare. The catalog is dense, the textures are not very appealing, and combination errors are common among beginners. Furthermore, the documented logistical problems make the purchasing experience risky if you need to receive your product within a reasonable timeframe.
For sensitive or reactive skin, the Korean approach is often safer: formulas are designed to work together, and actives are often coupled with soothing agents (centella asiatica, heartleaf, aloe vera) that compensate for potential irritation. A dermatologist consulted for this article confirms this trend: "Korean formulas more systematically integrate skin barrier protection into their architecture."
What the most honest reviews reveal 📊
By cross-referencing Trustpilot feedback, Reddit discussions, and independent tests, three observations clearly emerge.
First, the products work when well chosen and correctly used. The actives are effective and the concentrations serious. This is not empty marketing.
Second, the shopping experience on theordinary.com is problematic for French orders. The UPS carrier, repeated delays, English-speaking customer service, and questionable return policy generate a significant portion of negative reviews.
Third, the complexity of the catalog leads to errors among the uninitiated. Several French beauty forums document skin reactions due to incorrect combinations, not from product toxicity, but from pH or mechanism of action incompatibility.
If you want to benefit from effective actives without having to become an expert in cosmetic formulation, the Korean selection is often simpler to get started with. You can consult our review of COSRX if you are looking for an equivalent for acne-prone or oily skin, in particular.
What we really retain 🌿
The Ordinary is a brand serious about its formulas but complex to use correctly. The actives are effective. The price is unbeatable. But the lack of a coherent routine, recurring logistical problems with French orders, and the high learning curve make it an option best reserved for people who already know what they're looking for.
If you are building your skincare routine or want products that work together without having to decipher everything, start by taking your free skin diagnosis. You will receive a selection adapted to your skin type, without the risk of combination errors.
