Image: theordinary.com
The Ordinary
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
A serum built around Niacinamide and Centella asiatica, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 15.30 · 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
- Sensitive skin
- Redness & rosacea
- Dryness & dehydration
How to 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
12 trigger at least one check · 33 trigger none
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Benefits
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethyl Linoleate, Hexyldecanol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Sphingolipids, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Bisabolol, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide
Smoothing7
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethyl Linoleate, Hexyldecanol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Sphingolipids
Antioxidant5
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Asiaticoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Tocopherol
Anti-Pollution6
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Asiaticoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Sphingolipids, Tocopherol
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ethyl Linoleate, Hexyldecanol, Isoceteth-20, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Propanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-, isodecyl ester
Learn more about Isodecyl Neopentanoate →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Hexyldecanol
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Hexyldecanol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hexyldecanol →Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Xylitylglucoside
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside →Ceteth-20 Phosphate
Cleansing, Cleansing
Ceteth-20 Phosphate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceteth-20 Phosphate →Anhydroxylitol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
D-Xylitol, 1,4-Anhydro-
Learn more about Anhydroxylitol →