I Tried The Ordinary’s Skincare on Sensitive Skin — Here’s What Worked

The Ordinary: A Game-Changer for Sensitive Skin

Building a skincare routine when you have sensitive skin can feel like navigating a minefield. One wrong ingredient, and you’re left with redness, irritation, or an unwelcome breakout that can repeat for months. While many brands promise gentle, dermatologist-approved solutions, some of the higher price tags can make daily use difficult to commit to, meaning we often use less. Effective, budget-friendly products with simple formulations can save the day in the experimentation phase. That’s where The Ordinary comes in.

The beauty brand has never failed to deliver on straightforward, affordable, and effective skincare formulas since its debut. You’ll find formulas starting at around $8, with the most expensive skincare rarely exceeding $30. Clear product descriptions and routine-building tips on its website make navigating the line-up simple, yet super educational, which helps sufferers of sensitive skin decode what will and won’t work for them.

From foaming cleansers to AHA exfoliators (yes, sensitive skin can handle these if chosen carefully), The Ordinary’s effective offerings can slot seamlessly into your skincare regimen. To help you cut through the noise, I’ve rounded up the very best picks from the brand for my sensitive skin — tried, tested, and approved.

How I Tested

For context, I have occasional perioral dermatitis, and I also get contact dermatitis from the wrong product easily (most acids, essential oils, and harsh cleansers). I have to tread really carefully when trying new products with active ingredients. I’ve also been getting texture and fungal acne on my forehead, which gets triggered by thicker products or anything fermented.

Generally, I have dry skin that doesn’t get on well with heavy moisturizers, and I also get hormonal or product-induced breakouts. I want to be able to use formulas that deep clean, exfoliate, and help with the aging process, amongst my usual backdrop of calming, neutral ingredients.

When testing these products, I used each one in my usual routine for a month, but some of the picks I’ve loved and have continuously used for years. I analysed and evaluated a number I assessed them on the following criteria:

• Ingredients: As a brand known for its simple approach to ingredients, I noted where I felt a payoff from their less-is-more approach and whether I noticed a result in my skin texture and appearance.
• General formula: I analysed the formula’s finish both immediately and as the day wore on, as well as how it felt on my skin.
• Consistency: I paid close attention to the consistency of the products upon application, noting if any pilled. When applying other skincare products or makeup, I looked out for any textural issues (streaking or sinking into pores).
• Value for money: Although The Ordinary is known for advantageous price points for its ingredients, I put any claims made on the brand’s website against my own experience to see if a verdict.

Why You Can Trust This Review

Ava Welsing-Kitcher is a beauty editor based in Los Angeles. She has a decade’s worth of experience and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the products that do (and, importantly, don’t) work, and has consulted countless skincare experts on what to look for. Her experience is why you can trust her verdict on which The Ordinary products are best. She has a personal interest in skincare and finding the hardworking formulas that deliver results without breaking the bank, making her the perfect candidate for this review of The Ordinary’s skincare.

The Ordinary’s Best Products for Sensitive Skin

Best Overall — The Ordinary Mandelic 10% + HA

Rating: 5/5
Product Type: Serum
Targets: Irregular texture, dullness

Mandelic acid is a go-to acid for sensitive skin. Derived from almonds, mandelic acid is much gentler than glycolic acid, and its larger molecular weight makes it a slower exfoliator. After just one week of use, my skin felt gently renewed, more glowing, and smoother. I don’t love the slippery, oily texture of the glycerin, so I’d recommend waiting 15 minutes before applying any moisturizer over the top.

Best Sunscreen — The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum

Rating: 4.5/5
Product Type: Face SPF
Targets: Sun protection

The reformulated SPF 45 serum offers high protection against UVA and UVB rays. It feels moisturizing and gives my skin a luminous glow that lasts all day. However, it may make oily skin types greasier.

Best Spot Treatment — The Ordinary Salicylic 2% Solution

Rating: 5/5
Product Type: Serum
Targets: Acne, texture, congestion

This salicylic acid serum is a foolproof spot treatment. It stops open whiteheads from continuing to produce pus overnight, drying them up without causing irritation or scarring after healing.

Best Gentle Cleanser — The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

Rating: 4/5
Product Type: Cleanser
Targets: Texture

This cleanser foams up satisfyingly and effectively cleanses off light makeup without the need for an oil cleanse. My skin didn’t feel stripped, but just a tiny bit tight once dry.

Best Lightweight Hydration — The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner

Rating: 4/5
Product Type: Toner
Targets: Dry, textured skin, dark spots, disrupted skin barrier

This milky toner is hydrating without being oily. It sinks instantly into the skin and leaves a subtle glow. However, it may take a while to see texture or dark spot correction.

Final Thoughts

All of The Ordinary’s products deliver active ingredients to my sensitive skin without disrupting it, but some stood out. For acids, all I really need is the mandelic and salicylic acids in my routine to cover all the bases of oil control, blemish-fighting, and dead skin cell removal. The glucoside cleanser foams gently without stripping, and it’s a great cleanser for everyone. Lastly, the sunscreen provides a superb amount of sun protection, just the right amount of hydration, and doesn’t cause a reaction despite its chemical formula.