I Tried The Ordinary’s Viral Skincare Duo—But Is TikTok Getting It Wrong?
I’ll admit it—I bought this viral skincare duo for one reason: TikTok.
It’s everywhere right now. Clean girl routines, minimalist shelves, glass skin promises—these little dropper bottles have become some of the most talked-about products on the app. And like a lot of people, I clicked “add to basket” without thinking too much about it.
But the more I looked into it, the more I realised something important: The Ordinary isn’t really a “follow the trend” kind of brand.
Part of Crave’s Viral Product Reviews series, where we test trending products so you don’t have to.
Why The Ordinary Isn’t Like Other Skincare Brands
Most skincare brands are built around routines—cleanser, toner, moisturiser, serum—and they’re designed to work for as many people as possible.
The Ordinary is different.
It’s ingredient-led. Almost clinical. Each product is designed to target a very specific skin concern, whether that’s acne, dryness, pigmentation or texture.
Which sounds great in theory—but it also means you can’t just pick up a product because it’s trending and expect it to work for you.
In fact, doing that is a bit like choosing medication without knowing what you’re treating.
What These Ingredients Actually Do
At the centre of this TikTok trend are two ingredients: niacinamide and hyaluronic acid—both hugely popular, but designed for very different things.
Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) is known to help regulate oil production, reduce the appearance of pores, calm breakouts and improve overall skin texture. It’s often recommended for oily or acne-prone skin.
Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is all about hydration. It helps the skin retain moisture, making it ideal for dry, dehydrated or dull-looking skin.
Individually, both ingredients are well-known for a reason.
But they’re not interchangeable—and they’re not necessarily needed by everyone.
The Viral Duo: First Impressions
The duo I picked up includes Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5—two of The Ordinary’s most recognisable products.
At first glance, they feel like a simple pairing. The packaging is minimalist, the formulas are lightweight, and there’s no fragrance or unnecessary extras. It feels more like something you’d find in a lab than on a beauty counter—which, in a way, is the whole point of the brand.
But what’s interesting is that these two products are actually designed to do very different things.
The niacinamide serum is targeted towards oil control, breakouts and enlarged pores, making it more suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
The hyaluronic acid, meanwhile, focuses on hydration—helping the skin hold onto moisture and appear more plump and smooth.
So while TikTok is presenting this as a go-to duo, it’s not necessarily a perfect match for everyone—and even within this pair, one product might suit your skin far more than the other.
The Problem With Buying Skincare Because It’s Trending
This is where things get interesting.
Because while both of these ingredients can be incredibly effective, they’re not a universal fix—and that’s the part TikTok often skips over.
We’re not always buying products based on what our skin needs—we’re buying them because they look like they work for someone else.
If you have oily, breakout-prone skin, the niacinamide serum could be a great addition to your routine.
If your skin is dry or dehydrated, the hyaluronic acid might be the one that actually makes a difference.
But buying both without really understanding why you need them is where things can start to go wrong.
So, Should You Be Using This Duo?
Right now, it’s too early for me to give a full verdict—I’ve only just started using both products, and skincare takes time.
But what I can say already is this:
The Ordinary isn’t confusing—it’s just very specific.
And if you don’t know what your skin actually needs, it’s easy to end up using the wrong product—even if it’s one of the most popular ones online.
What I’ll Be Testing Next
I’ll be using both products properly over the next couple of weeks to see how they actually perform—on real skin, not just under perfect lighting.
Because the real question isn’t whether these products are good.
It’s whether they’re right.
More Viral Products We’ve Tried (So You Don’t Have To)
- Dr. Melaxin Calcium Balm – Is it worth the hype?
- Medicube Collagen Jelly – Does it actually work?
- Nivea Sunshine Perfume – Summer in a bottle?
We’re always testing viral products—so you don’t have to.
Joanne Brook-Smith is a writer and editor with two decades of publishing experience. She launched Crave Magazine during the Covid period to create a fresh, inspiring space for food, travel and lifestyle content.