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The Ordinary’s Reputation & Controversy: The Skin Care Brand You Love to Debate

If you’ve spent any time exploring skincare, it’s almost impossible not to have heard about The Ordinary. Since launching about five years ago, this brand has skyrocketed to immense popularity worldwide, disrupting the beauty industry with its straightforward approach to skincare. Known for offering effective products loaded with active ingredients — all at affordable prices — The Ordinary has become a staple in many skincare routines. But despite its success and loyal following, the brand also carries a fair share of controversy.

In this article, we’ll explore why The Ordinary is so beloved, why some users have experienced serious negative reactions, and what you can do to navigate this skincare minefield safely.

The Rise of The Ordinary: What Makes It Popular?

When The Ordinary first appeared on the scene in 2016, it quickly became a sensation. Unlike many skincare brands that leaned heavily on marketing and fancy packaging, The Ordinary took a stripped-back, no-nonsense approach. Their products are essentially formulas focused on single or well-defined active ingredients with clear, transparent labeling of concentrations.

This level of transparency was a game-changer. Suddenly, consumers began learning what ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or salicylic acid actually do — and how much was actually in their products. The Ordinary helped create a new generation of skincare enthusiasts who became more educated and discerning about their products, making informed decisions rather than blindly following trends.

This accessibility, coupled with affordable prices, allowed people from all walks of life to experiment and customize their routines with potent actives — something that was previously a luxury or required costly dermatologist visits. For many, The Ordinary’s products delivered fantastic results, helping clear acne, reduce pigmentation, and brighten skin.

The Dark Side: Reports of Chemical Burns and Severe Reactions

However, not everyone’s experience with The Ordinary has been positive. From the beginning, there have been reports of users suffering from skin irritation, chemical burns, and long-lasting damage after using some of their products.

One highly publicized case is that of Natasha Martlew in 2018. Natasha had a very basic skincare routine — just soap, water, and moisturizer — and decided to try The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. Applying just two drops on a cotton pad, she experienced no immediate pain, only mild redness. But overnight, her skin developed hundreds of painful white blisters oozing clear and yellow fluid. The burning pain was so severe that she ended up in the hospital, diagnosed with chemical burns, and needed antibiotics and weeks off work to heal.

When Natasha contacted The Ordinary about her experience, the brand’s response was underwhelming — offering only a small refund and sending a soothing product. She criticized the packaging for not including warnings about the risk of severe reactions from even one use.

While this reaction is undoubtedly rare, it highlights how even minimal application of highly active ingredients can cause dramatic harm if not used correctly, especially on skin that is not accustomed to them.

The Social Media Effect: Amplifying Both Praise and Criticism

The rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram has intensified both enthusiasm and criticism around The Ordinary. Short videos showing people enthusiastically drenching their faces in the brand’s high-strength chemical exfoliants or combining multiple acids often go viral — sometimes irresponsibly so. This has led to an influx of new users trying potent products without fully understanding how to use them safely.

Aurora Garcia’s story is another cautionary tale. In 2020, she shared her adverse reaction to The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — a product designed to exfoliate deeply with strong acids. Despite doing a patch test (though only for five minutes, shorter than recommended), she applied the peel and initially experienced no issues. But within days, her skin developed painful blisters and tightness, eventually diagnosed as impetigo, a bacterial skin infection secondary to the open wounds caused by irritation.

Aurora’s experience reinforces that while patch testing is crucial, it must be done properly and followed by caution. Not all skin types tolerate strong exfoliants, and misuse or overuse can compromise the skin barrier, increasing susceptibility to infections.

Why Do These Reactions Happen?

The Ordinary’s formulations often include potent active ingredients in relatively high concentrations. While this delivers impressive results for many, it also increases the risk of irritation, especially for sensitive skin or when products are misused.

Several factors contribute to adverse reactions:

Skin Sensitivity and Type: Not everyone’s skin is the same. What works as a miracle for one person can cause a flare-up for another. People with sensitive or compromised skin barriers need to be especially cautious.

Product Potency: Some actives, like acids (AHA/BHA), vitamin C, and retinoids, are powerful and can cause irritation or burns if overused or applied incorrectly.

Lack of Proper Use: Skipping patch tests, layering incompatible actives, or leaving strong products on longer than recommended can all trigger damage.

Misleading Social Media Advice: Influencers sometimes promote extreme use or “challenges” with The Ordinary’s products, encouraging unsafe routines.

Can The Ordinary Be Used Safely?

Absolutely. For many, The Ordinary offers an affordable entry point into active skincare that yields visible benefits. However, understanding how to use these products properly is key.

Here are some guidelines to help you avoid adverse reactions:

Patch Test Every New Product: Apply a small amount behind your ear or on your inner arm, leave it on for at least 24 hours, and watch for any signs of redness, swelling, or itching.

Introduce Actives Slowly: Start with lower concentrations or less frequent applications, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Follow Instructions Carefully: Many of The Ordinary’s products come with detailed usage directions, including when to avoid sun exposure or not to layer certain ingredients.

Avoid Mixing Certain Actives: For example, don’t combine vitamin C with niacinamide or retinoids with strong acids without professional guidance.

Use Sun Protection: Many active ingredients increase photosensitivity, making sunscreen a must.

Listen to Your Skin: If you experience burning, severe redness, or discomfort, stop use immediately and consult a dermatologist.

The Ordinary’s Responsibility and Consumer Awareness

While some users blame The Ordinary for their skin damage, it’s important to remember the role of consumer education and responsible marketing. The brand provides ingredient transparency and warnings but can’t control how people use the products or interpret advice from social media trends.

Some argue The Ordinary could enhance their packaging warnings or educational efforts to better highlight the risks of misuse. Given the increasing reports of adverse effects, it’s a reasonable request. But ultimately, skincare involves a degree of personal responsibility and knowledge.

Final Thoughts: The Ordinary — Love It or Hate It?

The Ordinary is a brand that revolutionized skincare by democratizing access to powerful ingredients and demystifying formulas. For many, it’s a hero; for others, a source of heartbreak.

If you’re intrigued by their products, do your homework, start slow, and respect your skin’s unique needs. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and even the best products can go wrong if misused.

The Ordinary’s story is a lesson in balance — celebrating innovation and transparency while respecting caution and individual differences. Approach with care, and you might find a game-changing product that truly works for you.