26 Most Popular Skincare Products From The Ordinary, According To 'Women's Health' Editors And Reviews

The thought of putting acid on your face may sound scary, but lactic acid lightly exfoliates. That makes skin look instantly brighter and feel super smooth to the touch after just one use. Long term, this TikTok-famous serum keeps skin clarified to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Because it's a mild exfoliant, it's great at treating acne, too.

Rave Review: "The ordinary lactic acid is the GOAT. I use it whenever I get those dry skin bumps on my face and arms and it goes away basically overnight." —WH deputy editor of content strategy, Amanda Lucci

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are chemical exfoliants designed to lighten pigmentation and boost radiance. This peeling solution is about 30 percent of that ingredient, a pretty high amount—simply leave it on for a minute or two while you brush your teeth at night.

One of the brand's most popular products (it went viral on TikTok several times), people love how quickly this works and how easy it is to use. Read WH's full review on the product here.

Editor Review: "I did see an immediate glow-up in the skin on my cheeks...It almost looked like a quick face lift. When I started using this twice a week, I saw results after just two weeks in my scars lightening—some of which have been there for years." —Neha Tandon, WH senior commerce editor

No, this isn't the type of copper you find on a penny. A lesser-known skincare ingredient, copper peptide has healing, regenerative properties that help boost collagen production. Use it to smooth out wrinkles, blur fine lines, and help heal scarring.

Rave Review: "I love this product so much. My face is much smoother. I had a few bumps, especially on my chin area, and this helps smooth everything out."

A WH editor favorite, this retinol-packed icon has thousands of five-star reviews. Sure, there are tons of retinol serums out there. This formula also features hydrating squalane, making it a great beginner retinol product.

Editor Review: "I love retinols because they've really helped brighten my skin and lighten my hyperpigmentation over the years, but they can dry my skin out a lot. This serum actually leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated after I use it, so I don't have to overcompensate with tons of moisture with a heavy oil or moisturizer afterwards." -WH senior e-commerce editor, Neha Tandon

The name "Caffeine Solution" may trigger cravings for coffee lovers, and I can assure you that the skin under your eyes may just get as addicted to drinking up the ingredient. Use The Ordinary's brightening, de-puffing caffeine serum alone or under your fave eye cream for added moisture. Dermatologists swear by the ingredient for brightening under-eye circles.

Rave Review: "I started using this about a month ago and the color and overall depth of the bags under my eyes is unbelievable. I’m not even at half a bottle yet and I’m going on a month and a half with two applications a day. Now when I wake up and do my routine, I actually look energized for the day! Bags be goneeee."

Niacinamide has grown in popularity over the last several years because it's one of those do-it-all ingredients that people swear by for shrinking pores, calming redness, reducing acne, and more. This particular solution is combined with clarifying astringent zinc, making it particularly great for anyone with acne or large pores. Simply top with a hydrating oil or moisturizer if you have dry skin.

Rave Review: "I can’t believe how well this works! I was breaking out terribly with cystic acne. I have large pores and oily skin. My skin has completely changed in a few days. My acne has cleared, pores look minimal and there's a lot less oil on my face. I have noticed in the last two days that I actually still have makeup on my face by the end of my work day."

For those of you who have been blessed with good genetics by the skincare gods, or have just put a lot of time and effort in your skin to get it to a good place, this hyaluronic and fatty acid-packed moisturizer is a great maintenance product for all skin types. It's hydrating without being too greasy, and is a great no-fuss moisturizer that sensitive skin types love. And, did you peep that price tag? You've got nothing to lose (except $6).

Rave Review: "I have very dry, acne-prone skin that reacts to literally anything that I put on my face, and this product has been wonderful. It supplies hydration to my skin while not feeling overly greasy. My skin has had no reaction to it which is great because this is the only moisturizer that doesn't break out my skin."

You likely already know that Vitamin C can brighten and lighten dark spots. But did you know that it provides antioxidant protection, too? That's what makes this high-potency moisturizer a great daytime product. It'll provide that no-makeup glow while protecting the skin from environmental aggressors (though you'll of course always want to use SPF).

Note: Some reviewers say that because of how potent this is, it can sting a bit on the first application, so it's best to patch test it before using it all over the face.

Rave Review: "I just finished my bottle and wanted to wait till I was 100 percent sure about this one. It’s just amazing. I have combination skin and suffer from acne scars. This has helped with a lot of the scarring. I mix it up with my moisturizer because it burns a bit if I apply it directly onto my skin."

Squalane is a star ingredient for being super hydrating while also controlling oil production, so it's a great way to keep oily skin hydrated without making it look or feel greasy. And, it's of course loved by those with dry skin for obvious reasons. You really can't go wrong with 100 percent squalane if you're a skincare minimalist—our editors love applying this weightless one-ingredient product to their hair, too.

Rave Review: "I absolutely love this product. A New York City transplant, I'm from Florida and very much used to the humidity, so this squalane has saved my skin during harsh dry winters here. I simply apply it over my normal moisturizer and it heals my skin! No breakouts, either—and my skin breaks out from most everything." —Addison Aloian, WH editorial assistant

It may have a funky name, but this serum has two basic purposes: to hydrate your skin and enhance its elasticity. Pycnogenol is a plant-based extract which is designed to help stimulate collagen and elastin (skin-plumping ingredients), and reviewers love it, saying they can use it on other body parts besides the face.

Rave Review: "I have been using this product for two weeks and my skin feels plump, hydrated, and balanced. I am already adding a backup to my cart. Beware that the serum is red and can leave a trace on clothing."

This water-based serum helps improve your skin's protective barrier while also enhancing its texture and any post-acne areas. Reviewers love how it hydrates their skin and leaves it glowing—they say it also feels soothing on your skin after being in the sun. For that reason, reviewers with sensitive skin and acne love this aloe-packed solution, too.

Rave Review: "I have been using this product for about two to three weeks. I personally have sensitive skin and am prone to breakouts from most facial products, but this product leaves my skin feeling hydrated and glowing. It leaves me feeling more confident than I have before. It was definitely worth the purchase!"

It's likely that you've heard of hyaluronic acid for all its hydration benefits, and this is the number one bestselling hyaluronic acid product on Amazon. People love that it's super moisturizing without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. And reviewers also rave about it being able to shrink the appearance of pores.

Rave Review: "I am close to 50 years-old. Using this, my pores have minimized tremendously and my skin is so soft. I highly recommend it."

Many of the serums on this list brighten, but this one specifically targets hyperpigmentation. If that's your primary concern, get straight to the point with this serum that contains alpha arbutin, which specifically addresses pigmentation that's been caused by sun exposure. The added hyaluronic acid keeps skin moisturized.

Rave Review: "Love, love, love. It might take a little time to show results but it ALWAYS shows. I have a lot of hyperpigmentation and nothing has ever helped me even out my skin tone, blemishes, and acne scars like this has. I’ve repurchased this a countless number of times and I use it every day."

Since vitamin C can sometimes feel a little irritating on sensitive skin types, The Ordinary came out with this azelaic acid moisturizer. The brightening ingredient is actually often used to help calm redness in people with sensitive skin or rosacea, but it's also a light exfoliant that can help treat acne and lighten dark spots over time, too.

Rave Review: "I recommend this for anyone with sensitive skin or rosacea. It helps with redness and soothes my skin. I can’t go a day without it."

Another editor-loved fave, this rose hip seed oil can be used literally anywhere you need a moisture surge, from your scalp to split ends, lips, under your eyes, and everything south of that. Lots of rose hip seed oil products contain additives or mineral oils, but this one is a pure, one-ingredient formula that dry skin will love. It's a great mess-free, versatile travel product given the size and packaging.

Editor Review: "This is a holy grail travel item for me. I massage some into my scalp before pulling my hair into a slick bun before a flight, and then I'll put it on my face so that I come out feeling totally hydrated. Then, once I land, it's a great multi-tasking product to keep my dry skin looking plump and glowy." —Neha Tandon, WH senior commerce editor

When talking about skin, let's not forget the scalp care. Packed with peptides (the building block of proteins which form hair), reviewers love the way this serum has enhanced hair density and even helped patch up bald spots. The water-like texture won't feel greasy or weigh strands down, either.

Rave Review: "I 100 percent recommend this product. I have lost so much hair due to stress. I even started having bald spots on my head. I purchased this product a few months ago and now all my bald spots are gone and my hair has grown much fuller. Also, I have noticed so many new baby hairs growing in!!"

You probably won't be able to include every serum on this list in your routine, but this toner fits seamlessly into any skincare ritual. Glycolic acid aids in exfoliating the skin, speeding up cell turnover, and boosting collagen production, meaning it's great at enhancing your skin's natural glow while clearing pores and lightening dark spots. It's a great way to start your routine right after cleansing.

P.S. Tons of people (non-dermatologists) from TikTok say that this can be used in place of deodorant, but be sure to ask a pro before you test that theory out.

Editor Review: "This does wonders for my clearing my pores. Living in New York City, there is constantly tons of gunk getting stuck in the pores on my cheeks and nose. After using this for about a month, I notice significantly fewer blackheads popping up." —Neha Tandon, WH senior commerce editor

An oldie but a goodie, salicylic acid is one of those all-time favorite ingredients that's been loved by pretty much everyone (not just skincare fanatics and derms). While you've likely heard about its acne-fighting properties, it's also a great at clearing out whiteheads and pores. This mask is great because it also contains skin-smoothing beta hydroxy acid.

Rave Review: "This is a really good face mask. I saw results after my first use. It helped with my bumps and blackheads on my chin and nose specifically!"

A good cleanser is one of the most underrated products in a skincare routine, IMO. A good one should clean out any impurities, makeup, and pollution without stripping your skin of the good, natural oils its producing. Enter: The Ordinary's Squalane cleanser. It's another product loved by Tandon, and it's probably one of the most affordable from the brand, too. It removes makeup (even heavy waterproof makeup) flawlessly without leaving dry skin too dry.

Rave Review: "I love this! It’s not messy and thick like others. It’s a lotion consistency you emulsify between your hands until it turns into an oil and then rub all over your dry face. It doesn’t smear mascara all over—I have no idea how—it just simply melts it away. This cleanser is amazing!"

Another scalp care product, this one's great for anyone who suffers from itchiness, dryness, or dandruff because it's packed with hydrating ingredients. Infused with hyaluronic acid (yup, that's not just for your face), it features squalane, too.

Rave Review: "This worked wonders on my partners scalp. We’ve been trying to find a product to help with flakiness, dryness, and sensitivity, and this one has proven to be very effective!"