Current Price $19.90
Highlights
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Good for: Oily skin & large pores
Details & care
What it is: A multiactive solution designed to reduce signs of skin congestion by minimizing excess shine and improving pore appearance.
What it does: The serum encourages visibly clearer skin. It helps reduce signs of congestion, including the look of pores, excess oil and uneven skin texture.
How to use: Shake serum well. Then apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening.
- 1 oz.
- Alcohol-free; oil-free; silicone-free; gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Made in Canada
- Item #10395589
Ingredients
Aqua (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.
Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging
Shipping & returns
Free shipping. Free returns. All the time. Purchases made online can also be returned or exchanged at any Nordstrom store, free of charge. Read more about our shipping & returns policies.
Gift options
Choose your gift options at checkout. Some items may not be eligible for all gift options.
Delivery
- Email gift message (free)
- Printed gift message (free)
- Fabric gift bag ($5)
Need help finding the perfect gift? We've got you covered.
The Ordinary
The Ordinary is democratizing skin care by bringing well-known active ingredients to market at sensible price points. All products are made in the brand's lab, tested on humans (The Ordinary is vegan and cruelty-free) and use ingredients at their highest quality and most effective concentrations. The Ordinary is Clinical Formulations with Integrity.
Most helpful positive review
Feb 12, 2026
Everything is great I just need more
I am going out of my way to review and say I need a 90ml bottle of this. I easily go through one 30ml bottle a month if that, which is fine, but if there's any way to get a 90ml bottle I will buy it in perpetuity. Please.
makeabiggersizepls
Reposted from deciem.com
Most helpful critical review
Jan 19, 2026
Not loving it
Hard to use. Does not stay on the skin, it smells like sulfur … duh … so when you try to pad it around your nose, you feel like you’re sniffing an expired Saturday night party power.
Van
Reposted from deciem.com
deciem.com response
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with Balancing & Clarifying Serum. We're sorry to hear it didn't work out, but we would love a chance to chat through your skin type and concerns in more detail to suggest an alternative. Please feel free to reach out to our Product Experts via our Contact Page: www.theordinary.com/contact
5 stars
67%
4 stars
22%
3 stars
7%
2 stars
3%
1 star
1%
Pros:
Cons:
Current reviews don’t mention any.Sort by Most Helpful
Patty38
Reposted from deciem.com
Feb 19, 2026
Didn't work for me
I bought this over a month ago and have been using it religiously hoping for some sort of help for my skin. Unfortunately I have been getting new breakouts every time I use this. The painful under the skin pimples too which I was hoping this would have calmed by now. The consistency just feels like a sticky toner and nothing else. I will be using it on my body instead of my face to finish it off as I don't like wasting products I've spent money for but definitely will not repurchase.
deciem.com response
Hi Patty! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Balancing & Clarifying Serum. We’re very sorry to hear about the purging - we’d like to note that with any active ingredient that affects skin behaviour, there can be an initial purging period during which breakouts are normal. Trying test patches of each new product first will allow you to identify whether you are sensitive or intolerant to a particular formulation. Please feel free to be in touch with us if you would like further support with your regimen: theordinary.com/contact
makeabiggersizepls
Reposted from deciem.com
Feb 12, 2026
Everything is great I just need more
I am going out of my way to review and say I need a 90ml bottle of this. I easily go through one 30ml bottle a month if that, which is fine, but if there's any way to get a 90ml bottle I will buy it in perpetuity. Please.
Van
Reposted from deciem.com
Jan 19, 2026
Not loving it
Hard to use. Does not stay on the skin, it smells like sulfur … duh … so when you try to pad it around your nose, you feel like you’re sniffing an expired Saturday night party power.
deciem.com response
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with Balancing & Clarifying Serum. We're sorry to hear it didn't work out, but we would love a chance to chat through your skin type and concerns in more detail to suggest an alternative. Please feel free to reach out to our Product Experts via our Contact Page: www.theordinary.com/contact
Hollyyy
Reposted from spacenk.com
Jan 5, 2026
Didn't work for me
I didn't hate this, it's a pretty standard serum, with the standard The Ordinary serum type texture, but it made no difference to my skin. While it didn't make it any worse, it also didn't make it any better. It's more of a soothing or hydrating serum to me than a balancing or clarifying one.
JoKenna
Reposted from spacenk.com
Dec 25, 2025
Great for clogged pores!
This worked a treat on my partner's clogged pores! He doesn't have lots of breakouts but just has stubborn clogged pores that AHA/BHA pads didn't seem to help much with. This has really helped him for texture and clarity while not being too drying. Definitely no complaints at this price, either.
Rosiegirl
Reposted from deciem.com
Dec 4, 2025
Great Serum for Sensitive Skin
I'm always looking for a good serum that will actually target issues with my skin, that are oil-free (because my skin will not tolerate oils), and doesnt irritate my very sensitive skin.
This serum is a banger for all of those. It makes my skin look brighter, makes it feel less dull and clears up a lot of the comedones and such that I get from wearing a respirator mask for work. And it doesnt irritate my skin. It's never made my skin super red, never made it flaky, and yet always helps to brighten, soften and just generally makes my skin feel better. I highly recommend if you're looking for an oil-free, non-irritating serum to help target some congestion in your face.
I'm not sure if it would help with heavy congestion (I'm assuming more heavy actives or peels would do that, but I cant use those as I dont want to risk my skin not tolerating them), but it definitely helps with some lighter congestion, blackheads and whatnot.
From someone who pays full price for this item every time since I bought it the first time over a year ago.
