Here are our staff's 5 favorite products from The Ordinary, from a blood-red face peel to a great beginner retinol

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, $9.50

"The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a 10-minute exfoliating facial that uses 30% AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to combat blemishes and make the skin texture smoother and more radiant. It's also blood-red, like a Vampire Facial.

I washed my semi-sensitive combination skin with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil and then patted it all dry. It's also useful to note that, since damp skin draws the product deeper into the skin and the ingredients in this facial are acidic and may sting at first, I'd recommend being certain your face is totally dry before applying the formula and to avoid any open abrasions if you have them.

After washing it off, my pale combination skin stays red for probably 15 minutes. After that, my complexion becomes noticeably softer, smoother, and tighter. The next day, my skin tone also looks a little more even and surface scars from past acne seem a bit less severe.

With prolonged use, my complexion continually got smoother and more even, and I think my pores look a little smaller now." — Mara Leighton, senior digital culture reporter

"I found The Ordinary AHA/BHA exfoliator when I was looking for a chemical exfoliator that would be gentle on my sensitive skin while still sloughing away my old face. This stuff is powerful, and you definitely want to read the instructions on this carefully and only use it for a few minutes the first time, and then build up to using it for 5-10 minutes — otherwise, it can sting or burn your face. Also, make sure not to use any other face products that might react with it beforehand (I learned this the hard way by using a retinol the night before…ouch).

But if you use it carefully a few times a week, you'll be rewarded with soft, smooth skin that serums sink into. Plus, you can scare friends and family by looking like a freak who is covered in blood, so that's fun." — Leah Rosenbaum, senior health editor

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, $11.70

"My friends recommended this to me and my boyfriend as a starter retinol because it's not too strong — or expensive. We've both been using it every night and have never experienced the redness or irritation often associated with retinoids. While I'm a poor judge of my own skin changes, my partner's looks firmer and glowier since incorporating it into his routine." — Julia Pugachevsky, senior health reporter

100% Plant-Derived Squalane, $10

"I'm a lazy girl who prefers a pared-down skincare routine with just a few products. This squalane oil fits the bill for my combination of oily and dry skin. Every night, I pat a few drops onto my skin after using a hyaluronic acid serum to lock in the moisture. It doesn't feel sticky or greasy on my face, and when I wake up, my skin looks glowy and plump.

On days when my skin feels extra dry, I use it in the morning too, before applying sunscreen. The lightweight texture makes it a great product for layering." — Julia Naftulin, senior health reporter

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, $10.80

"I've been using The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum twice a day for nearly a year and have seen vast improvements in the dullness and sallowness of my skin, a significant reduction of redness (I have extremely sensitive skin that irritates easily), less oily pores, fewer noticeable lines around my eyes, and a very slight reduction in hyperpigmentation.

The texture of the serum itself is super lightweight, and it dries almost instantly. To use it, be sure to apply the product with the dropper directly on your face. Because it absorbs so quickly, placing it in your hands and then onto your face is going to result in most of the serum absorbing into the skin on your hands and going to waste.

Those who use vitamin C products should avoid using this serum as niacinamide negatively impacts the integrity of vitamin C. However, niacinamide can be combined with retinol, and in fact, it may even help to prep your skin so you don't experience the discomfort usually associated with retinol." — Chase McPeak, freelance writer

100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil, $4.70

"Since a young age, I've suffered from eczema flare-ups on my face and body that are almost impossible to calm without a prescription cream. This unique and powerful organic oil completely changed the game for me, keeping my dry patches at bay even during the coldest winters.

It has a characteristically grassy smell that is a little off-putting at first, but it doesn't linger once you've rubbed it in. I can't recommend it enough for fellow dry-skinned folks." — Maiya Pascouche, story producer