Image: theordinary.com
The Ordinary
Balancing & Clarifying Serum
A serum built around AHA, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 17.91 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
- Normal skin
- Sensitive skin
- Acne & blemishes
How to use
Shake well before use. Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening. If irritation occurs, rinse off, cease use, and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Keep out of reach of children.
Caution
If irritation occurs, rinse off, cease use, and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Keep out of reach of children.
What's inside
Ingredients List
2 trigger at least one check · 22 trigger none
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate is a lysate of the fermentation product of Lactococcus
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment Lysate →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium hydrogen heptylenedicarboxamidodiacetate
Learn more about Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate →Carnitine
Antistatic, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
1-Propanaminium, 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, inner salt (R)-
Learn more about Carnitine →Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Acetyl Glucosamine →Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine, N-methyl-
Learn more about Sarcosine →Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
4-Pyrimidinecarboxylic Acid, 1,4,5,6,-Tetrahydro-2-Methyl-, (4S)-
Learn more about Ectoin →Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
Learn more about Adenosine →Polylysine
Hair Conditioning
Poly(imino-(6-amino-1-oxo-2,1-hexanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-
Learn more about Polylysine →
Dupes
- The Derma Co Nia-Zelaic Oil Control Face Serum66% match
- The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution63% match
- Geek & Gorgeous aPAD61% match