Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 + 6 moreWorks well
“Formulated with aloe barbadensis, this serum helps to soothe irritated skin while providing moisture.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium lactate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
Evens skin toneAcetyl glucosamine, Lactic acidWorks well
“Minimise the appearance of post-acne marks with the help of The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2%, a soothing serum that helps to improve skin texture and strengthens the skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
ExfoliationAcetyl glucosamine, Lactic acidNot delivered
“This serum also contains N-acetylglucosamine, which has skin-exfoliating properties similar to alpha and beta hydroxyl acids, but does not irritate sensitive skin.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with acetyl glucosamine, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Acetyl glucosamine, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDipropylene glycol~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderAcetyl glucosamine~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosaminePalmitoyl pentapeptide-4~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4Biosaccharide gum-2~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolXanthan gum~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIsoceteth-20~0.45–1.05%
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An anti-oxidant. Is also called 6-paradol. It might be able to neutralize free radicals in skin. The manufacturer claims that it is able to stimulate synthesis of hyaluronic acid in skin, but there is no evidence of effectiveness of this ingredient so far. The only evidence of efficacy for this ingredient so far come from small lab tests. This ingredient comes together with Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride as part of the complex called SymDecanox HA produced by a cosmetic ingredient supplier Symrise.
More about Hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanoneSodium lactate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateLactic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Acetyl glucosamine, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Biosaccharide gum-2, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone, Sodium lactate, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The OrdinaryAloe 2% + NAG 2%YOUR PRODUCT | Mila MoursiHyaluronic Acid Restorative Elixir | THE LAB by blanc douxExper True Tension Serum | Paula's choiceNiacinamide 20% Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 49% | 48% | 47% |
| Price | ≈ $17.06 | $98.00≈ +$80.94 | $27.99≈ +$10.93 | $50.58≈ +$33.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Adenosine | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skin Nutrition Botanicals Multi-Peptide Anti-Aging SerumAwake Beauty Glow Pill Super Serum
Product summary
"The Ordinary - Aloe 2% + NAG 2%" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 1.30% - 2.00%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (sodium lactate 0.20% - 0.70%, acetyl glucosamine 1.60% - 2.40% and glycerin 3.20% - 4.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 15.00$ up to 21.99$ in the United States and from 12.90£ up to 100.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugatesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamineonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.