Best The Ordinary Products for Glowing Skin (+ a Simple Glow Routine)
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The short answer: the best The Ordinary products for glowing skin are an exfoliant (Glycolic Acid 7% Toner or Lactic Acid 5% + HA), an antioxidant (Vitamin C Suspension 23% or Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum), a tone serum (Alpha Arbutin 2% or Niacinamide 10%), hydration (Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5) and daily sunscreen (UV Filters SPF 45 Serum). Pick one product per job and keep conflicting actives in separate routines.
Dull skin is usually some mix of rough texture, uneven tone and dehydration. The Ordinary makes cheap, single-purpose formulas for each, which is great for your budget but confusing to shop. We haven’t tested these ourselves; we built this list from the brand’s official product pages (ingredients, directions, conflict warnings). For the wider range, see our guide to The Ordinary skin care products.
Quick picks
- Best overall exfoliant for glow: Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
- Best gentler exfoliant for dry skin: Lactic Acid 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 2%
- Best high-strength vitamin C: Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Best easy-going antioxidant serum: Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum
- Best for uneven tone and dark spots: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
- Best for dullness plus shine and pores: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Best hydrating serum: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Best daily sunscreen: UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
The Ordinary glow products compared
Prices are approximate US prices from theordinary.com; Amazon prices vary.
| Product | Key ingredient | What it does for glow | Use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | Glycolic acid 7% (AHA) | Exfoliates dead surface cells for smoother texture and more even tone | PM, start 2–3x a week | Around $9 |
| Lactic Acid 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 2% | Lactic acid 5% (AHA) + HA | Mild surface exfoliation for dullness and rough texture | PM, once daily max | Around $8 |
| Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% | L-ascorbic acid 23% | Brightens and helps balance uneven tone | Once daily | Around $8 |
| Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum | Ascorbyl glucoside + 7 other antioxidants/peptides | Targets dullness, helps with the look of dark spots | AM and PM | Around $14 |
| Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA | Alpha arbutin 2% | Helps even out skin tone and improve radiance | AM and PM | Around $12 |
| Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Niacinamide 10%, zinc PCA 1% | Targets dullness, texture, shine and the look of pores | AM and PM | Around $6 |
| Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) | Five forms of HA, panthenol, ceramides | Hydrates and plumps so skin looks fresher | AM and PM | Around $10 |
| Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA | Amino acids, HA, urea, glycerin | Lightweight moisturizer that supports the barrier | AM and PM | Around $7 |
| 100% Plant-Derived Squalane | Sugarcane-derived squalane | Locks in hydration for a softer, dewier look | Once daily or as needed | Around $10 |
| Glucoside Foaming Cleanser | Decyl and coco-glucoside | Cleanses without stripping the moisture barrier | AM and PM | Around $7 |
| UV Filters SPF 45 Serum | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Broad-spectrum protection, luminous finish, no white cast | Every AM | Around $19 |
Our main picks for glowing skin
1. Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
What it is: A 7% glycolic acid toner (pH around 3.6) with aloe water, ginseng root extract and Tasmanian pepperberry, which The Ordinary includes to help reduce exfoliation-related irritation. It comes in 100ml and 240ml bottles and is one of the brand’s most popular products.
Why it helps glow: Glycolic acid is an AHA that helps remove dead surface skin cells. The brand says this smooths texture, evens tone and gives a more luminous, radiant look.
Best for: Normal, oily or combination skin that looks rough or flat and isn’t sensitive.
Cautions: Once daily at most, ideally at night; newcomers should start at 2–3 times a week. Not for sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. AHAs raise sun sensitivity, so wear sunscreen during use and for a week after. Don’t pair it with direct vitamin C, retinoids, peptides or other acids.
2. Lactic Acid 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 2%
What it is: A water-based serum with 5% lactic acid, a hyaluronic acid crosspolymer and the same Tasmanian pepperberry extract as an anti-irritant. It’s the lower-strength version of The Ordinary’s two lactic acid serums (there’s also a 10%).
Why it helps glow: The brand describes it as mild surface exfoliation for textural irregularities, dullness and uneven tone. If glycolic sounds like too much, this is the softer starting point.
Best for: Dry skin and first-time exfoliators. The Ordinary specifically calls it suited to dry skin.
Cautions: Once daily at most, ideally at night; the brand says you can dilute it while your skin builds tolerance. Its directions still rule out sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Same sun warning and conflict list as the glycolic toner, and use one acid per routine, not both.
3. Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
What it is: A water-free, 30ml suspension of 23% L-ascorbic acid (direct vitamin C) with 2% HA spheres. The texture is slightly gritty.
Why it helps glow: The Ordinary says it helps brighten and balance uneven tone, while the HA spheres add hydration. The water-free base keeps the vitamin C stable.
Best for: People who want a high-strength vitamin C on a budget and don’t mind some tingling.
Cautions: Tingling is expected; if it’s too much, the brand suggests mixing it with an oil or cream. Use once daily on unbroken skin. The product page suggests evening, while the brand’s layering guide puts vitamin C in the morning, so either works if you respect the conflicts: niacinamide, direct acids, retinoids, peptides, copper peptides, EUK and other direct vitamin C.
4. Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum
What it is: One of The Ordinary’s newer serums: a water-based 30ml formula with eight antioxidant and protective ingredients, including ascorbyl glucoside (a stabilized vitamin C), ginseng, EGCG, ergothioneine, tocotrienols (vitamin E), two peptides and snow mushroom extract for hydration.
Why it helps glow: The brand says it’s designed to brighten dull skin and defend against environmental stressors like pollution, and may help fade the look of dark spots. Percentages aren’t published.
Best for: Beginners who want an antioxidant step without the tingle of pure vitamin C. Listed as suited to all skin types.
Cautions: Don’t use it with copper peptides, other peptides or GF 15% Solution. Since the niacinamide page warns against indirect vitamin C too, we’d keep these two in separate routines.
5. Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
What it is: A water-based serum with 2% alpha arbutin and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, which the brand includes to support absorption. Available in 30ml and 60ml.
Why it helps glow: The Ordinary describes alpha arbutin as a purified brightening ingredient that helps even out skin tone and improve radiance. If your dullness is more about dark spots and patchiness than texture, this is the more targeted pick.
Best for: Uneven tone and dark spots, all skin types.
Cautions: Use a few drops morning and evening on unbroken skin, with sun protection during the day. The product page doesn’t list any specific conflicts, which makes it easy to fit into most routines.
6. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
What it is: The Ordinary’s best-known serum: 10% niacinamide (vitamin B3) with 1% zinc PCA. It’s the most popular product here.
Why it helps glow: It’s known for oil and pores, but the brand also targets dullness and texture with it and says it boosts radiance. Results vary from person to person.
Best for: Oily, combination or blemish-prone skin that looks dull and shiny at the same time. If breakouts are your main issue, see our The Ordinary acne routine.
Cautions: Use morning and evening after cleansing. The Ordinary lists direct and indirect vitamin C as “do not use with” and recommends keeping niacinamide and vitamin C in separate routines.
7. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
What it is: The updated HA serum, with five forms of hyaluronic acid plus panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and ceramides.
Why it helps glow: Dehydrated skin looks flat. The brand says this serum hydrates at multiple depths to plump dry-looking areas, while ceramides and panthenol support the moisture barrier.
Best for: All skin types, especially anyone using acids.
Cautions: Apply a few drops morning and evening after cleansing and before heavier creams or oils. No conflicts are listed.
8. UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
What it is: A lightweight, serum-textured sunscreen (60ml) with SPF 45, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and a PA++++ rating. It uses four chemical filters: avobenzone 3%, homosalate 7%, octisalate 4.5% and octocrylene 10%. Fragrance-free.
Why it helps glow: Sunscreen protects everything else you’re doing and is non-negotiable with AHAs. The brand describes a luminous finish with no white cast that layers well under makeup. For more options, see our best sunscreens with no white cast.
Best for: All skin types and tones, according to the brand, including sensitive skin.
Cautions: Shake well and apply liberally as the last skincare step, 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating or towel-drying. The page doesn’t claim water resistance, so use a water-resistant sunscreen for swimming or workouts.
Simple glow routine
The Ordinary builds routines in three steps: Prep (cleanse, exfoliate), Treat (serums) and Seal (moisturize). Apply water-based serums first, then water-free formulas and oils, then creams, and use no more than three serums per routine. Three more products round things out:
- Glucoside Foaming Cleanser: a gel-like foaming cleanser with decyl and coco-glucoside that removes dirt while maintaining the moisture barrier. It carries the National Eczema Association seal.
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: a lightweight, non-greasy cream with amino acids, hyaluronic acid, urea and glycerin for the Seal step, AM and PM.
- 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: a sugarcane-derived squalane that helps hydrate and support the barrier. Use a few drops once daily or as needed.
Beginner glow routine
Introduce one new product at a time and give each a few weeks.
- AM: Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum → Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA → UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
- PM (most nights): Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% → Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- PM (2–3 nights a week): Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Lactic Acid 5% + HA → Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
Advanced glow routine
Once your skin tolerates an acid and an antioxidant, step up to stronger formulas.
- AM: Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA → Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (water-free, so it goes after water-based serums) → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA → UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
- PM (acid nights, building up from 2–3 a week): Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner → Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 → 100% Plant-Derived Squalane → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- PM (non-acid nights): Glucoside Foaming Cleanser → Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% → Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA → Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 → Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Vitamin C stays in the morning and acids and niacinamide stay at night, so no flagged pair shares a routine. To compare with pricier lineups, see our Drunk Elephant vs The Ordinary breakdown or our luxury skincare routine for beginners.
What not to mix
The Ordinary’s rule of thumb is simple: if two products conflict, put them in different routines (AM vs. PM) or on alternate days. Here’s what its product pages flag for this lineup:
- Acids + vitamin C: Glycolic Acid 7% and Lactic Acid 5% list direct vitamin C as “do not use with,” and the Vitamin C Suspension lists direct acids. Keep them in separate routines.
- Acid + acid: Don’t use the glycolic toner and lactic acid serum (or salicylic acid) in the same routine. One exfoliant at a time.
- Niacinamide + vitamin C: The niacinamide page flags both direct and indirect vitamin C, and The Ordinary’s regimen guide recommends using them in separate routines.
- Retinoids: Keep any retinoid away from the acids and the Vitamin C Suspension (vitamin C in the AM, retinoids in the PM).
- Peptides and copper peptides: These conflict with the acids, the Vitamin C Suspension and the Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum.
The HA serum, alpha arbutin, squalane, NMF and cleanser have no listed conflicts. Patch test each new product on your upper forearm for 24 hours first, and stop anything that causes redness, burning, itching or irritation.
FAQ
Can I use vitamin C and niacinamide from The Ordinary together?
Not in the same routine, per The Ordinary. Its niacinamide page lists vitamin C as a conflict, and the brand’s regimen guide suggests one in the morning and the other at night. That’s why our routines put vitamin C in the AM and niacinamide in the PM.
Vitamin C Suspension or Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum?
The Suspension is a 23% pure vitamin C in a gritty, water-free base that tingles and has a long conflict list. The Radiance Serum pairs a stabilized vitamin C with seven other antioxidants and peptides in a water-based serum for AM and PM. Beginners will likely find the Radiance Serum easier; experienced users wanting strong vitamin C may prefer the Suspension.
How long until I see a difference?
It depends on the product and your skin. The Ordinary’s FAQ for the HA serum mentions improved hydration after about a week and sustained results after about four. Exfoliants and tone serums generally need consistent use over several weeks. Results vary, and for a persistent skin concern, a dermatologist is the best person to ask.
Final thoughts
The best The Ordinary products for glowing skin each do one job: exfoliate, brighten, even tone, hydrate and protect. Start with the beginner routine, add one product at a time, keep conflicting actives apart and wear sunscreen every morning. Simple beats complicated here.
