Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have definitely heard of skincare brand The Ordinary by now. The brand is famous for their super effective skincare products featuring powerful active ingredients, all at extremely low prices.
The only issue with the brand is… they carry a LOT of products. And if you don’t have a medical degree, it can be frustrating to sort through all of them and figure out which ones are best for you.
After experimenting with their products for years (and spending way too many hours browsing r/skincareaddiction), I’ve become a bit of an expert on The Ordinary, especially their offerings for acne-prone skin.
If you, like me, struggle with acne, here are the best products for acne from The Ordinary:
Disclaimer: Always introduce new skincare products one at a time, be sure to patch test new products before applying all over, and consult a dermatologist before experimenting on your skin!
Table of Contents
5 Best Ordinary Products for Acne1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque3. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane4. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser5. The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2%What are your favorite products from The Ordinary?5 Best Ordinary Products for Acne
Best Overall: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Best Acne-Fighting Mask: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% MasqueBest Non-Clogging Hydrator: The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived SqualaneBest Gentle Cleanser: The Ordinary Squalane CleanserBest Exfoliator: The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2%1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Buy at The Ordinary
One of The Ordinary’s most famous products is their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% solution. It’s been in my rotation for years now and I absolutely love it.
This product has a ton of benefits, from reducing oil production to minimizing the look of large pores and blemishes and brightening skin tone. It’s also pretty gentle as far as acne products go, and it will fit into a variety of skincare routines.
Best for Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and OilyItem Form: SerumItem Sizes: 30mL or 60mLActive Ingredients: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and signs of congestion, visibly brightens skin tone, Zinc PCA: Visibly regulates excess sebum activity.Recommended For: This is a great first acne product to try from The Ordinary. It has a host of benefits for blemish-prone skin and it’s gentle and plays well with other products. It’s an excellent choice if you want to reduce pore size, control oil on your face, and address hyperpigmentation.
While not fully proven as an acne treatment, Niacinamide is a gentle ingredient suitable for sensitive skin, so it’s worth a try, especially if you’ve found other treatments to be too irritating.
Pros:
Helps reduce oil productionBrightens skin toneReduces the look of large poresReduces hyperpigmentationContains zinc, which fights microorganisms that can cause acneNon-irritating; great for sensitive skinCons:
Niacinamide is not a proven acne treatment, so it may not help with all breakoutsMay want to apply separately from Vitamin C products (Details here.)2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Buy at The Ordinary
Everyone who struggles with acne knows that Salicylic Acid is one of the most popular treatments around. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque gives skin a concentrated dose of the ingredient in a wash-off mask form.
Salicylic Acid is a chemical exfoliant (BHA), so it’s great for “de-gunking” your pores, which helps with acne, excess oil production, and blackheads. This mask also contains charcoal and clays to help absorb excess oil.
Best for Skin Type: Normal, Combination, OilyItem Form: MaskItem Sizes: 50mL or 100mLActive Ingredients: Salicylic Acid: Removes dead skin cells on the surface of oily and blemish-prone skin, revealing more radiant skin beneathRecommended For: If you’re looking a strong acne treatment, this mask is a great option that will help remove dead skin cells and control oil. It uses salicylic acid, one of the most proven acne treatments of all time.
Use it once a week to start as it can be drying and irritating, especially on dry and sensitive skin types. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off completely.
Pros:
Salicylic acid is a proven acne-fighting ingredientContains charcoal and clays to absorb excess oilEasy to use as it’s a rinse-off 10 minute maskMakes skin smooth and softCons:
Strong acne-fighter; may irritate sensitive skinMay be drying on some skin types so use with caution on dry skin3. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Buy at The Ordinary
A common problem when treating acne prone skin is finding products to keep skin hydrated without causing additional breakouts. The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is an amazing emollient product that won’t clog pores.
Squalane is widely touted as the best oil for acne prone skin, and it’s non-comedogenic. A few drops are all you need for soft, hydrated skin. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a no-brainer at just $9 a bottle!
Best for Skin Type: All Skin TypesItem Form: OilItem Sizes: 30mLActive Ingredients: Squalane: An exceptional hydrator that can prevent ongoing loss of hydration.Recommended For: This is The Ordinary’s best hydrator for acne prone skin. Squalane is non-comedogenic and absorbs well, making it a great choice for acne prone skin types. It can be added to most skincare routines without issue.
To use, add a couple of drops on top of any water based products (works particularly well over any products containing hyaluronic acid). I like to use this at night but it can be used during the day as well for extra hydration.
Pros:
Squalane is an emollient to lock in moisture to skin for hoursMakes skin incredibly soft100% plant derived so it’s vegan and cruelty freeCan be applied to hair to increase heat protection, add shine and reduce breakage potentialCons:
Squalane is an emollient, not a humectant. It’s great at trapping moisture but not at adding additional moisture to skinCan add a greasy feel to skin if applied in excess; use sparingly on oily and combination skin types4. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Buy at The Ordinary
In my experience, acne prone skin does well with a simple face wash that removes dirt and makeup without stripping or over-drying the skin. The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser fits all of these criteria.
This gentle cleanser is formulated to remove makeup while leaving skin smooth and moisturized. It starts out as a balm texture and morphs into a clear oil when you rub it between your palms. It’s lovely and it’s also super affordable.
Best for Skin Type: All Skin TypesItem Form: Balm-like cleanserItem Sizes: 50mL or 150mLActive Ingredients: Squalane: An exceptional hydrator that can prevent ongoing loss of hydration.Recommended For: If you need a hydrating cleanser to remove makeup and impurities without clogging pores, this is a winner! It’s gentle and mild, and it doesn’t sting your eyes like some acne face washes can. It’s a great basic cleanser for acne prone skin.
Pros:
Squalane is an emollient to lock in moisture to skin for hoursProduct uses plant-derived squalane so it’s cruelty-free and veganDoesn’t sting eyesRemoves makeup completelySuper affordable at just $7 a bottleCons:
No active ingredients to fight acne50mL is a small size for a face wash; the 150mL size makes more sense for everyday use5. The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2%
Buy at Sephora
Proper exfoliation is an important part of treating acne. Exfoliation clears away oil and dead skin cells that can cause breakouts. And chemical exfoliation is best for acne because it’s generally safer for skin than physical exfoliants (scrubs, etc.).
The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an incredible at-home chemical peel that you apply for 10 minutes and then rinse off, revealing smooth, bright, clean skin. It can help with acne scars and can actually prevent breakouts before they start.
Best for Skin Type: Normal, Combination, OilyItem Form: LiquidItem Sizes: 30mLActive Ingredients: Glycolic Acid: Exfoliates the outer layers of skin, Lactic Acid: Exfoliates the outer layers of skin, Salicylic Acid: Exfoliates inside the pores to reduce congestionRecommended For: This is an amazing chemical exfoliant that works in less than 10 minutes. It contains both alpha and beta hydroxy acids for a “best of both worlds” exfoliant that’s truly effective at removing dead skin cells, brightening skin tone, and unclogging pores.
Be sure to follow directions on the bottle as this stuff is very strong! Never leave on for more than 10 minutes and start by using just once a month and building up frequency from there.
Pros:
Contains powerful concentrations of AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate skin and reduce pore congestionEasy to use: Apply to skin for 10 minutes or less, once or twice a monthA little goes a long way; one $8 bottle can last 6+ monthsCons:
Can cause a burning sensation when first applying, use a light layer to startCan damage skin if left on too long or used incorrectly; always start slow and follow directions on the bottleCan increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun; take extra care to wear sunblock when usingWhat are your favorite products from The Ordinary?
Do you have acne-prone skin? What’s your routine? Are you as addicted to The Ordinary’s acne products as I am? Let me know in the comments section down below.