Acne happens. Those dreaded pimples, clogged pores, and blemishes can wreak havoc on your skincare game. But don’t stress — with the best The Ordinary products for acne-prone skin, you can get your skin health back on track. We have handpicked toners, serums, masques, and emollients for you that just work! As you go through our list, you will find a lot of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients and products, instead of harsh exfoliants. 

As an acne sufferer, you may think moisturizing will make oily skin worse. Not true! Let us explain. Your skin makes excess oil when it's dehydrated — another reason why even dry-skin folks break out and get acne flares. Properly hydrating the skin can actually help regulate oil production and prevent breakouts, as per a study published on NCBI. A good moisturizer doesn’t add oil, rather it helps the skin retain water. Humectants like hyaluronic acid pull water into the outer skin layers, while emollients seal it in. Over time, the right moisturizing agents will help balance your skin.

The Ordinary's formulas feature proven acne-fighting and hydrating ingredients like salicylic acid, kaolin clay, glycolic acid, retinol, and azelaic acid. Plus, all the products in their line are clinically tested, cruelty-free, and vegan! So give your skin the affordably luxurious hydration and care it needs, and wave goodbye to acne. With their affordably priced, high-quality products, The Ordinary has your back and we are here to help you find the best picks from their assortment. Read on.

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  Best for Ageing Skin with Acne Scars

  The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

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This Retinol 1% Serum by The Ordinary is like a time machine for your face, restoring a youthful glow without irritation. It not only helps minimize signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles but also reduces acne and inflamed skin! As this study published in NCBI suggests, retinol can cleanse out and dissolve comedones (acne) and help minimize or resolve flare-ups with its anti-inflammatory properties. 

As evident from the product title, the star ingredient is 1% pure retinol, a skincare superhero that smooths fine lines and evens out skin tone and texture. But retinol can be drying, so The Ordinary wisely added squalane, a hydrating agent that mimics your skin's natural oils.

We love how this serum feels rich yet quickly absorbs without oiliness to make skin look plumper and more radiant after just a few uses. The dropper bottle makes application a breeze. And the price is delightfully affordable.

Key Ingredients: Squalene, 1% retinol, jojoba seed oil

Size: 30 ml/1 Fl oz

Quick Tip:

If you're new to retinol, start with a lower percentage formula like 0.2% or 0.5% retinol and work your way up. And don't forget your SPF! Retinol can make skin more sun-sensitive.

2

Best for hydration

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

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Here’s presenting the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum that provides next-level hydration to plump, smooth, and rejuvenates lackluster skin and quench its thirst so it doesn't go all out on sebum production.

This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum engages hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture levels to revive dry, dull skin while the ceramides reinforce your skin's moisture barrier, locking in hydration so you stay dewy and glowing. That’s not all it does though. As supported by a study published in NCBI, hyaluronic acid also helps regulate sebum production. So, pick this if you want hydrated and moisturized skin with balanced sebum levels without a trace of acne! 

You can alternatively opt for the Facial Treatment Bundle Face Care Set from The Ordinary that includes this product plus the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, which is a strong vitamin and mineral formula suited for acne-prone skin. 

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, pro-vitamin B5

Size: 30 ml/1 Fl oz

3

Best Lightweight Moisturizer

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

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While the previous product was a serum, the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA from The Ordinary offers deeper moisturization as an emollient that is formulated to bring your skin back into balance by reinforcing its natural protective barrier and promoting healthy skin. We love how it provides a heavy dose of hydration without ever feeling heavy or greasy.

As soon as you smooth on this lightweight emulsion, your skin drinks it right up. With both immediate and long-term hydrating effects, this moisturizer helps your skin achieve major improvement in texture, softness, and radiance. “It makes my face feel so smooth and helps with my skincare routine for getting rid of oils and blackheads from my nose,” shares a user. 

Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, arginine, sodium PCA, PCA, lactates, lactic acid, and minerals

Size: 100 ml/3.3 Fl oz

Quick Tip:

Do a patch test before using this product if you have sensitive skin.

4

Best for Oily Skin

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

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This one comes for all the oily-skinned readers: say goodbye to dull, congested skin and hello to a radiant, clear complexion! Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is your new BFF for tackling lackluster tone and uneven texture. Plus, it gets rid of your acne. A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment demonstrates how 2% salicylic acid can eliminate acne effectively and this product lives up to expectations! The clay in the ingredient list helps out as well.

Based on user reports and our observations, the formula works like a mini facial, deep cleansing your pores,  sweeping away dead skin cells, excess oil, and anything else that doesn't belong. No more clogged pores or breakouts! Simply apply after cleansing and let it work its magic before moving on to serums and moisturizers. We recommend you pick this top product for stubborn acne to achieve bright, balanced, blemish-free skin. 

Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, charcoal powder, salicylic acid, squalene, 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol

Size: 50 ml / 1.7 Fl oz

5

Best for Deep Nourishment

The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Squalane

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A total game changer for dry skin and hair, the 100% Plant-Derived Squalane formula is a lightweight yet deeply nourishing elixir that soaks in quickly to quench thirsty skin. Only a few drops of this serum leave even the driest face looking dewy and refreshed.

The star ingredient, squalane, mimics your skin's natural oils to reinforce its moisture barrier and get rid of flaky patches or tightness. What’s impressive? The squalene is derived from sugar cane, so it's sustainably sourced. 

On a side note, while squalene can be an excellent choice for deep moisturizing oily skin due to its non-comedogenic, bioidentical, and lightweight nature, we do advise using it with caution. If you have dry skin though, go right ahead and use it to your skin’s content. Overall, if you're struggling with dry skin or hair, this serum is a good pick.

Key Ingredients: Squalane

Size: 30ml/ 1 Fl oz

6

Best for Bacterial Acne

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

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Featuring an acid that comes from grains and means business while being gentle, The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the perfect addition to any skincare routine to help brighten up dull, uneven skin tone AND fight acne! Yes, azelaic acid is especially suited for dry and sensitive skin prone to acne as it can help dissolve comedones and have an anti-inflammatory effect. While most studies are on 20% azelaic acid for acne treatment, here is one study published in the Journal of Medical Sciences that demonstrates the efficacy of 10% azelaic acid as well. 

Besides its superpowers for making skin look and feel heavenly, we love the silky texture of the formulation. It feels so lush and pampering to apply, never heavy or greasy. And a little really does go a long way. Add this to your stash and Just use it after cleansing and before moisturizing.  Enjoy and let the azelaic acid work its brightening, smoothing magic so you can say bye-bye to rough and bumpy skin. 

 Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid

Size: 30 ml/1 oz

7

Best for Improving Texture

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

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With a potent 7% glycolic acid, The Ordinary’s Toning Solution doesn't play around when it comes to wiping out rough texture and bumps. Just a few swipes of a saturated cotton pad, and you'll feel it working its magic to smooth pesky bumps, brighten dull skin, fade dark spots, and balance out uneven skin tone. But that’s not why we chose it for acne-prone skin types. We picked it because glycolic acid is very effective at dissolving clogged pores, reducing acne and redness, and improving the appearance of acne scars, even in low concentrations, as shown in this study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 

What we like the most about this one is that unlike some harsh acid toners out there, this toning solution is surprisingly gentle thanks to the addition of Tasmanian pepper berry, which soothes as it exfoliates. So you get all the amazing benefits of an acid toner without the red, stinging skin. Pick this to treat your skin into a flawless and glowing complexion! 

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, aloe barbadensis leaf water, panax ginseng root extract, Tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract

Size: 240ml/ 8 Fl oz

Skin Type And Concern

Before picking your The Ordinary product for acne issues, it is important to understand your skin concerns as that will help you determine what kind of product you need. If you are dealing with rough texture and blemishes from past acne, something like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution can help. If you want a product to meet your skin’s moisturization needs without triggering breakouts, then you can pick hydrating serums and emollients. Overall, pick the product that can help you meet your skin’s most pressing needs first. Also, check if the product is suited for your skin type. 

Formulation And Ingredients 

Check the active/key ingredients in products you like and analyze whether they can suit your skincare goals before picking a product. Salicylic acid is a wonder ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin whereas hyaluronic acid can do wonders for dry and dehydrated skin. Also, be mindful of strong ingredients like acids or retinoids and check the strength — and whether it will suit your skin — before you take your pick.