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 active ingredients, minimalist packaging, and very low prices. The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum sells for around €6. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 goes for €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 suitable for your skin. This guide analyzes the flagship products, the brand's real limitations, and tells you straightforwardly what Korean skincare does differently.
What The Ordinary really does 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 anti-spot active, well tolerated, to be used for 8 to 12 weeks to see visible results.
- AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: iconic product but handle with care. Reserved for skin already accustomed to acids, maximum 1 time per week, never on irritated skin.
INCI transparency is a real strong point. Each product is named after its main active ingredient and its exact concentration. Who sells a "radiance serum" without saying what it contains? At The Ordinary, you know what you're buying.
The real limitations: why reviews are so divided 🔍
On Trustpilot, The Ordinary scores 2.1/5 out of 702 reviews in France. This score does not reflect the quality of the formulas, which is generally recognized by dermatologists, but rather two structural problems.
First problem: customer service and logistics. The majority of negative reviews concern undelivered orders, significant delays (several weeks), difficulty reaching English-speaking customer service, and a heavily 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 active ingredients: for example, retinol and exfoliating acids are not used on the same night. Pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is very unstable and oxidizes quickly if poorly stored. These failed combinations lead to irritations, and subsequently, negative product reviews.
The brand has designed effective products in isolation, but not necessarily a coherent routine. This is precisely where the Korean approach brings 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 prioritized 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 France stock, 24 to 72h |
If you want a single targeted active ingredient 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 doesn't aim for.
If you're unsure which Korean brand suits your skin, our guide to the best Korean brands helps you quickly find your way.
Reviews of The Ordinary's most sought-after products in France 🔎
Here are the products that generate the most online questions 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. Some cases of purging in the first few weeks on acne-prone skin, normal and temporary. Compatible with almost all routines.
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane: 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. Use only in the evening, 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 recommend starting with a milder product. The Glycolic Acid 7% from the same range is a more reasonable entry point.
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: one of the best non-prescription anti-spot active ingredients. 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 active ingredients, Korean or otherwise, require 4 to 12 weeks to show measurable results on skin texture.
Who is The Ordinary really for? 🧴
The Ordinary corresponds to a very specific user profile: someone who already understands skincare active ingredients, knows how to read an INCI list, and wants to target a specific problem without investing much. It's an excellent brand for supplementing an already established routine with a concentrated active ingredient.
It's not the ideal brand for starting skincare. The catalog is dense, the textures are not very attractive, and combination errors are frequent among beginners. Furthermore, 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 more reassuring: formulas are designed to work together, active ingredients are often coupled with soothing agents (centella asiatica, heartleaf, aloe vera) that compensate for potential irritation. A dermatologist's opinion 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.
Firstly, the products work when well chosen and used correctly. The active ingredients are effective and the concentrations serious. This is not empty marketing.
Secondly, 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.
Thirdly, the complexity of the catalog leads to errors among the uninitiated. Several French beauty forums document skin reactions due to incorrect combinations, not due to product toxicity, but due to pH or mechanism of action incompatibility.
If you want effective active ingredients without having to become an expert in cosmetic formulation, the Korean selection is often simpler to handle. You can consult our review of COSRX if you're looking for an equivalent for acne-prone or oily skin.
What we really take away 🌿
The Ordinary is a brand serious about its formulas but complex to use correctly. The active ingredients are effective. The price is unbeatable. But the lack of a coherent routine, recurrent 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're building your skincare routine or want products that work together without having to decipher everything, start by doing your free skin diagnostic. You'll receive a selection adapted to your skin type, with no risk of combination errors.
