Adenosine 1.00% - 1.50%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (2.70% - 4.10%). It is a derivative of Azelaic Acid. It is less studied than Azelaic Acid, but the available research suggests that it also can be effective in reducing skin redness, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. There are claims that it is more bio-available and more effective than azelaic acid, but no comparison study is available. Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate is better soluble in water compared with Azelaic Acid. Because of this property, products with Potassium Azeloyl Digclycinate can have a nicer texture.
Humectants (glycerin 0.45% - 1.05%, sarcosine 1.40% - 2.10% and acetyl glucosamine 1.70% - 2.50%). 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.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Exfoliation

Anti-blemish

What does the product description say?

Balancing & Clarifying Serum provides visibly clearer skin, by helping to reduce the look of pores, excess oil, and uneven skin texture.

Source: The Ordinary

This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains potassium azeloyl diglycinate.

potassium azeloyl diglycinate 2.7% - 4.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A derivative of azelaic acid. It is obtained by reacting the chloride of azelaic acid with two molecules of glycine (an amino acid) and potassium hydroxide. It is less studied than azelaic acid, but the available research suggests that it also can be effective in reducing skin redness, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. There are claims that it is more bio-available and more effective than azelaic acid, but no comparison study is available. Potassium azeloyl diglycinate is better soluble in water compared with azelaic acid. Because of this property, products with potassium azeloyl digclycinate can have a nicer texture

carnitine 2.8% - 4.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Through this exfoliation, it helps target signs of congestion, while also targeting the look of uneven skin tone.

Source: The Ordinary

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, adenosine.

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.

acetyl glucosamine 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

adenosine 1% - 1.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)

lactococcus ferment lysate 4.6% - 6.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Through this exfoliation, it helps target signs of congestion, while also targeting the look of uneven skin tone.

Source: The Ordinary

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, potassium azeloyl diglycinate

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.

acetyl glucosamine 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

potassium azeloyl diglycinate 2.7% - 4.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Ectoin Protects the skin barrier against water loss and helps maintain skin hydration.

Source: The Ordinary

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sarcosine.

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

sarcosine 1.4% - 2.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

ectoin 1.2% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function

glycerin 0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Through this exfoliation, it helps target signs of congestion, while also targeting the look of uneven skin tone.

Source: The Ordinary

This product might help exfoliate the skin with acetyl glucosamine, but This ingredient is not the most effective.

acetyl glucosamine 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

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

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

lactococcus ferment lysate 4.6% - 6.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-oxidation, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging

Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin

potassium azeloyl diglycinate 2.7% - 4.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-inflammatory, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing

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Potential irritants

pentylene glycol 0.4% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

isoceteth-20 0.15% - 0.65%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

lactococcus ferment lysate 4.6% - 6.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-oxidation, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging

Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin

propanediol 3.5% - 5.3%

Irritation risk:

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

Ingredient list view

Water, Lactococcus ferment lysate, Propanediol, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate, Carnitine, Acetyl glucosamine, Sarcosine, Ectoin, Adenosine, Polylysine, Silanetriol, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Sodium chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

	The Ordinary - Balancing & Clarifying Serum	Geek & Gorgeous 101 - aPAD	Dr. Brandt - Dark Spots No More Triple Acid Spot Minimising Concentrate	Dr. David Jack - Good Morning Vitamin C Serum	Acnemy - Postzit	Helia-D - Cell Concept Regenerating serum	skinmade - Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid serum	Jetske Ultee - Azelaic acid serum	Miss Spa - Coarse Correct Blemish Banishing Serum	The Garden Of Wisdom - Azelaic Acid	Wild Science Lab - Root + Fruit Light Switch Hyperpigmentation Serum
Price
WIMJ similarity score		70%	70%	69%	69%	68%	67%	67%	67%	66%	65%
Key ingredients	adenosine potassium azeloyl diglycinate +6 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: allantoin	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: niacinamide camellia sinensis leaf extract +3 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: niacinamide sodium ascorbyl phosphate +5 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: niacinamide salicylic acid +5 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: centella asiatica extract	Common: adenosine potassium azeloyl diglycinate +1 more Other: niacinamide salicylic acid +11 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: dipotassium glycyrrhizate	Common: glycerin Other: acetyl tetrapeptide-15 glycoproteins +2 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: allantoin hyaluronic acid +2 more	Common: potassium azeloyl diglycinate glycerin Other: betaine hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid +1 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	chlorphenesin Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit?	tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane Has skin benefit? tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? olea europaea leaf extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	decyl glucoside Has skin benefit? salicylic acid Has skin benefit? +7 more	potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +2 more	lonicera caprifolium flower extract Has skin benefit? calendula officinalis extract Has skin benefit? +12 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? piroctone olamine Has skin benefit? +3 more	scutellaria baicalensis root extract Has skin benefit? hydroxyacetophenone Has skin benefit? +2 more	simmondsia chinensis seed oil Has skin benefit? sodium lactate Has skin benefit?	citric acid Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +4 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? lactococcus ferment lysate Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? potassium azeloyl diglycinate Has skin benefit? +9 more	water Has skin benefit? niacinamide Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? sodium ascorbyl phosphate Has skin benefit? +23 more	water Has skin benefit? niacinamide Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? potassium azeloyl diglycinate Has skin benefit? +10 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +12 more	water Has skin benefit? aloe barbadensis leaf juice Has skin benefit? +14 more	water Has skin benefit? potassium azeloyl diglycinate Has skin benefit? +10 more	aloe barbadensis leaf water Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +11 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

The Ordinary Balancing & Clarifying Serum

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About the brand

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Anti-blemish

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

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Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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Comodogenic ingredients

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