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Few brands have made ingredient lists feel as approachable as The Ordinary. The best Ordinary products skip the smoke and mirrors in favor of names that showcase their active ingredients—Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, and Retinal 0.2 Emulsion—so there’s little second-guessing about what you’re applying. That plainspoken transparency is central to its parent company, Deciem (also aptly called “The Abnormal Beauty Company”), which built The Ordinary around understated packaging, familiar ingredients placed front and center, and formulas that often cost no more than lunch.
Our Top The Ordinary Products
- HA-ppy Skin: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $10
- Set the Tone: Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $14
- Smooth Talker: PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum, $9
- Weightless Wonder: Serum Foundation, $8
- Pore Power Pair: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum, $6
- One Step Closer to Smooth: Retinal 0.2 Emulsion, $15
Since launching 10 years ago, The Ordinary has inspired waitlists, amassed devoted fans, and earned multiple Allure Best of Beauty Awards, proving that inexpensive beauty products don’t have to feel like a compromise. Though skin care remains its bread and butter, the lineup has expanded to include scalp and hair treatments, along with makeup—including its recently revived Serum Foundation. Of course, a catalog filled with percentages, peptides, acids, suspensions, and microemulsions can still require a bit of decoding. Ahead, we rounded up the brand’s greatest hits—what they actually do, how to use them, and which ones deserve real estate in your routine.
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- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
HA-ppy Skin: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
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Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
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Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Elizabeth Gulino
Why we love it: Long before TV commercials were teaching us how to pronounce “hyaluronic,” The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 was part of the brand’s original 2016 lineup. What separates it from many basic HA serums is its 2% concentration of five forms of hyaluronic acid, including hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, which work across multiple levels of the skin’s surface to draw in water, soften fine lines, and give skin a plumper appearance. Panthenol, a.k.a. pro-vitamin B5, supports moisture retention, while phospholipids sgand sphingolipids reinforce the skin barrier. Glycerin supplies another dose of humectant hydration, and red algae extract helps condition skin.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“I’ve been using The Ordinary’s reformulated Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum (with ceramides) for years and don’t plan on stopping. I first picked it up because of its approachable price point, but I’ve become a repeat customer thanks to the product doing its job by keeping my skin soft and hydrated. I use it year-round, and it layers wonderfully under moisturizer.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, ceramides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerin, red algae extract
- Who it's for: people with oily or combination skin who want hydration without the weight
- Fragrance-free: yes
Set the Tone: Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
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Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
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Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner lets a single swipe do much of the heavy lifting: Its namesake alpha hydroxy acid loosens dead surface cells to gradually smooth rough texture, brighten dullness, and make uneven tone look more uniform. It can also moonlight as a scalp treatment. “Leaving it on allows the glycolic acid to break down excess scale and absorb excess oils,” says Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, who credits the bottle’s precise nozzle for making it especially easy to apply.
To temper potential irritation, the formula pairs the glycolic acid with aloe and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative containing polygodial, a plant compound with soothing, anti-inflammatory properties—while antioxidant-rich ginseng provides additional skin-soothing benefits. Although it can be used once daily, glycolic-acid newcomers and sensitive skin types may want to start with two or three evenings a week—whether applying it to the face, scalp, or rough patches below the neck—and work their way up.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“This product is like a pharmacy: It fixes everything. I use this to soften the rough skin on my elbows, heal the cracks along the sides of my feet and heels, and tamp down the closed comedones that wreak havoc on my forehead (particularly after I got bangs). It's also worked wonders in lightening my underarms, which has been an uphill battle. I have perpetual dermatitis and eczema, so I love that it's a gentle but effective solution that I haven't managed to overdo—despite being someone who doesn't have a great track record with chemical exfoliants. When I'm especially dry—mostly on my face (it's not the case elsewhere on my body)—it does sting just a bit, but that goes away quickly and hopefully gives way to freshly regenerated skin cells underneath!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 7% glycolic acid, aloe, panax ginseng root extract, Tasmanian pepperberry
- Who it's for: people with rough, uneven skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Smooth Talker: PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
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PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
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Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Physical lip scrubs may be satisfying, but repeatedly sloughing away flakes isn’t always the gentlest strategy. The Ordinary’s PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum takes a less gritty route, using 5% gluconolactone—a polyhydroxy acid with relatively large molecules that work primarily at the surface, keeping it especially gentle—to loosen dead skin without manual scrubbing. A 1.5% blend of citric, malic, and tartaric acids provides additional smoothing, while a glycerin base draws in moisture and ectoin supports the delicate lip barrier. Antioxidant-rich black-carrot extract gives the serum its vibrant pink-to-peach tint, but the color immediately disappears on contact, so don’t expect it to double as a lip stain.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“My lips are perpetually dry and textured, and it's a big pet peeve of mine. When I forget to apply a lip mask before bed (which is very often, sigh), I immediately apply a dot of this exfoliating serum all over my lips, and bam, an instantly smooth pout. (Well, I do wait a few minutes for it to fully dry down—it's a bit tacky at first—before applying any actual lip color.) My only qualm? I wish it looked as pink as it does online, but alas, it's nowhere near that hue IRL.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 5% gluconolactone, 1.5% blend of citric, malic, and tartaric acids, glycerin, black-carrot extract
- Who it’s for: people with rough or dry lips
- Fragrance-free: yes
Weightless Wonder: Serum Foundation
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Serum Foundation
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Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: If The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation sounds familiar, that’s because it first made its debut in 2017 as part of The Ordinary Colours collection. After phasing it out in 2022, the brand brought back the original formula last year in response to fans who missed its weightless feel and natural-looking medium coverage. Despite the “Serum Foundation” name, this is not a skin care-makeup hybrid: Serum refers solely to its exceptionally fluid texture, and the brand says the formula contains no active skin-care ingredients. Instead, fast-evaporating silicones help it glide seamlessly across skin before leaving behind a barely-there finish, while coconut alkanes give it a silky slip without making it feel greasy.
Titanium dioxide and iron oxides supply the pigment—though the former doesn’t make this a substitute for sunscreen—and light-reflecting mica keeps the finish from looking flat. The thin, buildable formula is an especially good fit for anyone who wants to even out discoloration and soften the look of pores without concealing their skin beneath a heavy layer of makeup.
Lee before applying The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’m dealing with quite a bit of new melasma after a summer in the sun—even though I was diligent about sunscreen, I promise—along with easily irritated skin that’s prone to redness. That said, I hate the feeling of wearing makeup; my ultimate test is whether I forget I have it on and nearly go to bed without washing my face. The Ordinary Serum Foundation passes with flying colors. It’s thin, lightweight, and spreads smoothly without looking streaky. Like most serum foundations, it isn’t endlessly buildable, and it doesn’t rely on a lineup of heavy-hitting skin-care ingredients. But as you can see in the video, it gives me just enough coverage to even out my skin tone while still looking and feeling like bare skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silicones, coconut alkanes, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, mica
- Shades: 36
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: natural
- Who it’s for: everyone, except for those with very dry skin, as it doesn’t have meaningful humectants
- Fragrance-free: yes
A Grain of Comfort: Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion
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Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion
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Allure commerce editorial assistant Hailey Roy applying The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion
Hailey Roy
Why we love it: When you want the nourishment of a rich cream without its weight, reach for The Ordinary’s Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion, which goes beyond the brand’s better-known single-ingredient serums with a more complex approach to hydration. The formula contains both water-based hydrators and nourishing oils, which typically require emulsifiers that can give creams a waxy or heavy feel.
To keep the two evenly blended without weighing down the texture, The Ordinary instead uses a high-pressure microfluidizer to break the mixture into smaller, more uniform droplets. The result is an unusually fluid lotion that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film. Rice lipids and jojoba oil seal in moisture and replenish the skin barrier, while 2% ectoin soothes redness and protects against water loss. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, and sodium PCA round out the formula by attracting and holding onto water. It’s an especially good match for dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin—and our tester, whose skin is perpetually parched, found that just a few drops went a long way.
Tester feedback from commerce editorial assistant Hailey Roy
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“I have dry skin, and despite what some online reviewers may say, this ultra-lightweight serum doesn’t need to be paired with a thicker moisturizer to get the job done. It’s been my go-to all summer for multiple reasons: It's affordable, it’s light enough that it doesn’t weigh down my skin, it moisturizes without feeling greasy, and I only need a few drops in the morning to keep my skin hydrated throughout the entire day. Even with NYC reaching rainforest-adjacent humidity levels recently, this serum never felt heavy or uncomfortable on my skin. I have yet to put it to the test in the winter, when my skin tends to get super dry, but for summer, this serum is just what my skin needs.” —Hailey Roy, commerce editorial assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rice lipids, jojoba oil, 2% ectoin, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, sodium PCA
- Who it’s for: people with dry or dehydrated skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
More The Ordinary Products We Love:
Pore Power Pair: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
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Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
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Why we love it: The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum wasn’t the first niacinamide serum out there, but it was among the early high-concentration formulas that helped turn the ingredient into a skin-care headliner. Niacinamide had previously appeared in moisturizers and serums, though it was often tucked into proprietary blends at undisclosed percentages; The Ordinary put a relatively high 10% concentration right in the product name, then paired it with 1% zinc PCA. Together, the duo regulates excess sebum, supports the moisture barrier, brightens uneven skin tone, and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores and rough texture.
There’s little else competing for attention in the streamlined, water-based formula except tamarind seed, which gives the serum its slightly viscous texture. The fragrance-, oil-, and silicone-free formula is geared towards oily or combination skin dealing with shine, congestion, and post-breakout discoloration.
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- Key ingredients: 10% niacinamide, 1% zinc, tamarind seed
- Who it’s for: people with discoloration, large pores, or excess sebum
- Fragrance-free: yes
Pep Talk: Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
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Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
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Why it’s worth it: The lightweight leave-in (the brand’s first foray into hair care) combines an impressive list of five trademarked ingredient complexes—Redensyl, Procapil, Capixyl, Baicapil, and AnaGain—with caffeine to support thicker- and denser-looking hair. That roster also includes peptides, which are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules, essentially “communicating” with hair follicles and scalp cells, Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada, previously told Allure.
Together, these technologies may “support the appearance of fuller hair from several biological pathways,” Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, previously told Allure. The key word, however, is support: This cosmetic density serum isn’t an FDA-approved hair-loss treatment like minoxidil, and research on its individual complexes remains limited. Consistent nightly use may help reduce shedding and make early thinning less noticeable, but it’s neither a miracle growth potion nor a substitute for clinically proven treatment, especially for advanced hair loss or shedding tied to an underlying medical condition.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Redensyl, Procapil, Capixyl, Baicapil, AnaGain, caffeine, biotinoyl tripeptide-1, acetyl tetrapeptide-3
- Who it's for: people with thinning hair
- Fragrance-free: yes
Milky Way: Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
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Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
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Why we love it: If the brand’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner sounds too intense for your sensitive skin, The Ordinary’s Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner is its gentler counterpart. Its 30% Saccharomyces yeast ferment contains 3% N-acetylglucosamine, an amino sugar that gently encourages surface exfoliation without relying on AHAs or BHAs, helping skin look smoother and more even with less potential for irritation. The addition of squalane replenishes moisture and supports the skin barrier, while “the milky texture leaves behind a subtle dewy glow that instantly makes dull skin look fresher and more luminous,” Alessandra Haskin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. She calls it a “balanced, clarifying toner that delivers the benefits of exfoliation and hydration” in one go. And our editors agreed: Just a few months after launching, it earned an Allure Best of Beauty Award in the Steals category.
Tester feedback from Han
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“I love, love hydrating toners, but when I'm dealing with texture and post-breakout dark spots, I reach for something with a little exfoliating oomph. The Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner is so gentle, you'd barely even know it has exfoliating properties. But thanks to fermented yeast, it sweeps away dead skin cells like a dream.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 30% Saccharomyces yeast ferment, squalane
- Who it’s for: people with dry or sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
One Step Closer to Smooth: Retinal 0.2 Emulsion
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Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
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Why it's worth it: If you’ve already worked your way through beginner retinols, The Ordinary’s Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is ready to raise the stakes. It’s the brand’s highest-strength retinoid formula, with 0.2% retinal, which is retinol’s faster-acting relative. Quick chemistry lesson: Retinol has to undergo two conversions in the skin before it becomes active retinoic acid, whereas retinal is already one step closer, allowing it to get to work more efficiently on fine lines, dark spots, uneven tone, rough texture, and loss of firmness.
Because retinal is notoriously fussy and prone to breaking down, the brand encases it in tiny hydroxyapatite (a calcium-phosphate mineral that makes up much of our bones and tooth enamel) particles for stability, then protects the bright-yellow formula from light and air in an opaque, airless pump as opposed to their usual droppers. The lightweight emulsion also contains lab-made versions of soothing compounds found in oats, plus bisabolol, antioxidant ergothioneine, and vitamin E to offset the dryness and discomfort that can come with retinoid use.
Tester feedback from former associate manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez
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"A humble brag, but my skin has never looked better, and I can credit it to a handful of The Ordinary products I have in my current skincare lineup. My most recent addition is this $15 retinol that I've worked up to using. It's high-strength, meaning if you're new to retinol, this may not be the product to use right off the bat, but if you're looking for an affordable option that doesn't dry out your skin but still delivers the fine-line and dark spot-reducing benefits, give this Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Serum a try." —Talia Gutierrez, former associate manager of special projects
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 0.2% retinal, oat, bisabolol, antioxidant ergothioneine, vitamin E
- Who it’s for: advanced retinoid users
- Fragrance-free: yes
Face the Clean: Squalane Cleanser
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Squalane Cleanser
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Why it's worth it: When The Ordinary debuted its first face wash, the Squalane Cleanser, the online response was as succinct as it was enthusiastic: “Want!” “Need!” Clearly, shoppers meant it. The bestselling cream-like balm melts into a clear, oil-like cleanser when warmed between dry palms, dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and grime before emulsifying with water and rinsing clean. Plant-derived squalane gives the formula its makeup-melting slip; glycerin draws in moisture, and sugar-derived emulsifiers wash everything away without a greasy film. It became so popular that the brand then released a five-ounce tube—three times the original size—followed by an even more generous 8.1-ounce option, because skin simply can’t get enough of it.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, glycerin, sugar-derived emulsifiers
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Firm Believer: Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
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Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
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Why it’s worth it: Previously called “Buffet,” The Ordinary’s bright-blue serum may have a more straightforward name now, but it’s still serving nearly everything mature skin could order. Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% combines several signaling peptides designed to address fine lines, firmness, elasticity, and texture from multiple angles. It “offers broad peptide benefits, including copper tripeptide-1 to maintain collagen and elastin—two structural proteins mature skin gradually loses,” says Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati. That copper complex is also responsible for the formula’s distinctive blue hue, while glycerin and two forms of hyaluronic acid draw in moisture for an immediate plumping effect. A blend of amino acids, sugars, urea, and PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) mimics components of skin’s natural moisturizing factors, while allantoin soothes and keeps the ingredient-packed formula comfortable.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, amino acids, sugars, urea, PCA, allantoin
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially people with mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Spot the Difference: Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
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Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
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Why it's worth it: Dermatologists had long been prescribing 15% to 20% azelaic-acid treatments for acne, but The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% helped move the ingredient from the derm office into mainstream skin-care routines. “Azelaic acid has been shown to be bactericidal against P. acnes, the bacteria on the skin that is one of the causes of acne,” Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. The multitasking acid also gently loosens dead surface cells, prevents clogged pores and acne-related inflammation, and gradually fades post-blemish discoloration, making this streamlined formula a solid pick for redness, breakouts, uneven tone, and rough texture.
The “suspension” in its name refers to how the insoluble azelaic acid particles are dispersed throughout a silicone-rich cream, giving it a silky, matte, almost primer-like finish that’s especially well suited to oily skin. (Though that texture can be polarizing: Apply too much or pair it with incompatible formulas and it may pill, turn chalky, or leave a white cast, so a pea-size amount is plenty.)
Another perk: Azelaic acid is one of the few acne-fighting actives generally considered compatible with pregnancy and nursing. However, it’s always best to clear new ingredients with your ob-gyn or dermatologist.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 10% azelaic acid, silicones
- Who it’s for: people with acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati, OH
- Alessandra Haskin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best The Ordinary products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
