Do The Ordinary Serums Actually Work? I Tested 4 to Find Out

Last Updated on April 4, 2026 by omgbart

The Ordinary built its reputation on a simple premise: effective ingredients at prices that make the rest of the industry look embarrassed. No elaborate packaging, no inflated claims, no markup that requires a second mortgage. Just straightforward formulas with active ingredients at meaningful concentrations. Nearly a decade in, that premise still holds up. These four serums are proof.

Why The Price Point Is Not the Catch

The prices are still almost unreasonably low. The Niacinamide runs under ten dollars. The Matrixyl and Multi-Peptide sit just above that. For context, these same active ingredients appear in serums that cost five to ten times more.

The difference is rarely the ingredient itself. It is usually the packaging, the brand story, and the retail margin. That does not mean expensive products are never worth it. It means knowing what you are paying for matters.

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These four are worth knowing about.

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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% • Zinc 1% Serum

Ten percent Niacinamide was once a concentration only a handful of brands offered at any price. The Ordinary has had it for years at under ten dollars, which remains one of the better value propositions in skincare. The texture is slightly more viscous than a typical watery serum, absorbs quickly, and layers cleanly under moisturizer. Use it morning or night.

Vitamin B3 is particularly useful for congested and uneven complexions, where it refines pores and improves overall tone with consistent use. One note worth flagging: avoid combining Niacinamide with L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C in the same routine as the two can affect each other's stability. Apply one in the morning and the other at night if you use both.

$6 (30ml) or $10.80 (60ml) at theordinary.com

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Argireline Solution 10%

Argireline, technically known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, is one of the most targeted peptides available for expression lines. It works on crow's feet, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles by interfering with the muscle contraction signals that deepen those lines over time. At 10% concentration in a water-based solution, The Ordinary version absorbs in seconds and layers cleanly under any moisturizer.

It is safe to use around the eyes, which makes it more versatile than most treatment serums. Use it daily or twice daily. One thing worth noting: avoid combining it with resurfacing acids or Vitamin C in the same routine as these can affect its stability. Apply one in the morning and the other at night if you use both.

$9.70 (30ml) at theordinary.com

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The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

Originally called Buffet, the renamed Multi-Peptide + HA Serum remains one of the most capable multi-taskers in The Ordinary lineup. The formula targets expression lines, uneven texture, and surface dehydration through a blend of seven peptides and amino acids. Key actives include SYN-AKE, Matrixyl Synthe'6, Matrixyl 3000, and ARGIRELOX, working together to soften fine lines and improve elasticity over time. It layers well under richer formulas and works morning or night.

If you are under thirty-five and building out an anti-aging routine, this is one of the most efficient starting points available at any price. For more advanced signs of aging, The Ordinary also offers a sister formula that adds Copper Peptides to the mix.

$19.90 (30ml) or $33.80 (60ml) at theordinary.com

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Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

This serum was part of The Ordinary's original launch and has remained one of its most dependable formulas. The original version is still available, but I recommend picking up the updated formula with ceramides instead. Hydration and barrier support are not the same thing, and the ceramide addition addresses both in a single step. That makes it a smarter choice for anyone living in an urban environment, dealing with occasional redness, or coming off a round of heavy actives.

The texture is where this one stands out. Juicy, viscous, and satisfying to apply, it delivers the kind of immediate plumping effect that reminds you why Hyaluronic Acid became such a staple in the first place. It absorbs without stickiness and layers under anything. If you want your HA in a clean, no-distraction formula that lets the ingredient do its job, this is the one. The Marine Hyaluronic from the same range takes a different approach with a much more watery consistency. Both work. This one feels better.

$9.90 (30ml) or $17.50 (60ml) at theordinary.com

The Ordinary products are formulated without parabens, dyes, fragrances, and mineral oil. They’re also never tested on animals.

These four cover a lot of ground for very little money. Used together or individually, they represent some of the most efficient active ingredient delivery available at any price point. If you want to go deeper into what The Ordinary does well, my Best of The Ordinary post covers five more formulas worth knowing about, including the Glycolic Acid toner and the brand's underrated essence. And if ectoin is on your radar, The Ordinary Ectoin Microemulsion also makes an appearance in my Best Ectoin Products roundup. The brand is not perfect across the board, but when it gets something right, it gets it very right.

You can also shop The Ordinary at sephora.com (US), ulta.com (US), lookfantastic.com, boots.com, and selfridges.com.

For detailed ingredient lists and more product options, check out theordinary.com. 

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Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I actually use and love. If you shop through these links, I may earn a small commission, which helps keep this site running.

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