The Ordinary Balancing & Clarifying Serum
Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Lactococcus ferment lysate + 7 moreWorks well
“Immediately hydrates skin in one use”
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
Evens skin tonePotassium azeloyl diglycinate, Acetyl glucosamineWorks well
“Through this exfoliation, it helps target signs of congestion, while also targeting the look of uneven skin tone.”
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.
Anti-blemishPotassium azeloyl diglycinate, CarnitineMay help
“Balancing & Clarifying Serum minimizes excess shine, and helps visibly reduce the look of breakouts and pores.”
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains potassium azeloyl diglycinate.
ExfoliationAcetyl glucosamineNot delivered
“An amino sugar that offers similar exfoliation properties to direct acids.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with acetyl glucosamine, but this ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Acetyl glucosamine, Adenosine + 1 moreWorks well
“Testing shows Balancing & Clarifying Serum , Provides visibly clearer skin by helping reduce signs of congestion including the look of pores, excess oil and uneven skin texture , Reduces the look of enlarged pores , Minimizes excess shine , Improves skin texture , Reduces the appearance of post-acne marks , Provides all-day hydration , Strengthens the skin barrier , Boosts skin radiance”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
0 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Je n'ai constaté aucun changement.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactococcus ferment lysate~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Lactococcus ferment lysatePropanediol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPotassium azeloyl diglycinate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Potassium azeloyl diglycinateCarnitine~2.8–4.1%
Acetyl glucosamine~1.7–2.5%
- 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 glucosamineSarcosine~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineEctoin~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinAdenosine~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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)
More about AdenosinePolylysine~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silanetriol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~0.45–1.05%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSclerotium gum~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumXanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIsoceteth-20~0.15–0.65%
Citric acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateSodium chloride~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.3%
Sodium benzoate~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, 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
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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 OrdinaryBalancing & Clarifying SerumYOUR PRODUCT | NaturiumAzelaic Topical Acid 10% | Geek GorgeousaPAD Serum | Dr. BrandtDark Spots No More Triple Acid Spot Minimising Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | ≈ $26.41 | $20.00≈ −$6.41 | $15.53≈ −$10.88 | $62.46≈ +$36.05 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 8 | 2 of 8 | 2 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Allantoin | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NIOD RE: Pigment SerumDr. David Jack Good Morning Vitamin C Serum
Product summary
"The Ordinary - Balancing & Clarifying Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-blemish, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Adenosine 1.00% - 1.50%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (2.70% - 4.10%). It is a derivative of Azelaic Acid. It is less studied than Azelaic Acid, but the available research suggests that it also can be effective in reducing skin redness, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. There are claims that it is more bio-available and more effective than azelaic acid, but no comparison study is available. Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate is better soluble in water compared with Azelaic Acid. Because of this property, products with Potassium Azeloyl Digclycinate can have a nicer texture.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.45% - 1.05%, sarcosine 1.40% - 2.10% and acetyl glucosamine 1.70% - 2.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 0% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 23.90$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Azeloyl-Glycine: A new active in skin disequilibriumresearchgate.net
- 4
- 5
- 6Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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