The OrdinaryserumTreat stepSephora bestseller

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum for Sensitive Skin Hydration

This serum is formulated to calm sensitive skin and reinforce its natural barrier. Its distinctive pink color comes from Vitamin B12, and it aims to combat redness and dryness.

Sephora price

$17.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.1 / 5

About 2,129 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Cruelty-FreeGood for: RednessVeganGood for: DrynessTrending on SocialFragrance FreeVitamin B12: Supports the skin barrier by reducing dryness and visible redness while also imparting the serum’s characteristic pink hue.Centella asiatica Phytotechnologies: Protect against external stressors. Clinical Formulations with Integrity.DrynessRednessand Uneven Texture

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.1 / 5 overall fit

A solid option for sensitive skin, focusing on barrier support and redness reduction, but may not be a primary hydrator for very dry types.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum for Sensitive Skin Hydration

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A multi-active serum designed to support skin-barrier repair while soothing discomfort and reducing the look of redness.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyDrynessRednessand Uneven Texture

Apply a few drops to your face in the morning and evening.

Use after cleansing and before anhydrous serums, oils, suspensions, and creams.

Precautions:

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.

Tip: Create a Purple Soothing Masque. Mix Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Soothing & Barrier Support Serum (pink serum) for a soothing leave-on masque. Both formulations help to support the skin’s natural barrier. For added age support benefits, add in Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides (blue serum) to improve the feel of skin firmness."

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

This serum is a good choice for those experiencing redness or a compromised skin barrier. It layers well with other treatments and is particularly useful for sensitive skin types.

Calming effect

Users frequently mention how well this serum calms their skin, reducing redness and irritation.

Barrier repair

Many reviews highlight the serum's effectiveness in improving the skin's natural barrier over time.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

Sensitive skin
Redness
Dryness
Compromised skin barrier

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You don't experience redness or barrier issues
You are looking for a primary humectant-heavy hydrator

Routine fit

Where this serum fits

Apply this serum after cleansing and before heavier creams or oils. It's designed to be a treatment step that prepares the skin for subsequent products.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Soothes redness
Supports skin barrier
Suitable for sensitive skin
Distinctive pink hue from Vitamin B12

Where it starts to feel redundant

May not be sufficient for intense dryness on its own
The 'masque' tip might be too complex for some users

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and night

This serum can be used twice daily, in both your morning and evening routines, to consistently support your skin barrier and manage redness.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

A multi-tasking ingredient that can help with barrier function, redness, and overall skin tone.

Usually helps with

Most skin types, especially those with redness or barrier concerns

Watch for

Some individuals may experience mild flushing or irritation, especially at higher concentrations.

Emollient

Hexyldecanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

Softens and smooths the skin.

Usually helps with

Dry skin

Watch for

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A fatty alcohol that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and also acts as an emulsifier.

Usually helps with

Dry to normal skin

Watch for

Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.

Humectant

Xylitylglucoside

Badness

1.0 / 10

A derivative of xylitol that helps improve skin hydration by increasing ceramide synthesis and reducing water loss.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Emulsifier

Ceteth-20 Phosphate

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water-based ingredients.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Humectant

Anhydroxylitol

Badness

1.0 / 10

Works with Xylitylglucoside to enhance skin hydration.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Emollient

Ethyl Linoleate

Badness

3.0 / 10

A derivative of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that can help support the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Dry, compromised skin

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Asiaticoside

Badness

2.0 / 10

A compound from Centella Asiatica, known for its calming and wound-healing properties.

Usually helps with

Sensitive, irritated skin

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Asiatic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

Another compound from Centella Asiatica, offering antioxidant and soothing benefits.

Usually helps with

Sensitive, irritated skin

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Madecassic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

The third key compound from Centella Asiatica, known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing effects.

Usually helps with

Sensitive, irritated skin

Watch for

Antioxidant

Naringenin

Badness

4.0 / 10

A flavonoid found in citrus fruits, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Usually helps with

Skin prone to redness

Watch for

Colorant

Cyanocobalamin

Badness

3.0 / 10

Vitamin B12, responsible for the serum's pink color. It also has skin-soothing properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially sensitive

Watch for

Some individuals may be sensitive to B vitamins.

Soothing Agent

Panthenyl Triacetate

Badness

3.0 / 10

A derivative of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), known for its moisturizing and soothing benefits.

Usually helps with

Dry, sensitive skin

Watch for

Soothing Agent

4-T-Butylcyclohexanol

Badness

4.0 / 10

A synthetic compound that provides a cooling sensation and can help soothe skin.

Usually helps with

Irritated skin

Watch for

Can cause irritation in some individuals.

Soothing Agent

Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid

Badness

3.0 / 10

A synthetic derivative of avenanthramide, found in oats, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.

Usually helps with

Sensitive, itchy skin

Watch for

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide

Badness

3.0 / 10

A synthetic ceramide-like compound that helps to strengthen the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Dry, compromised skin

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Bisabolol

Badness

1.0 / 10

The active component of chamomile, known for its potent anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

Usually helps with

Sensitive, irritated skin

Watch for

Emollient

Brassica Campestris Sterols

Badness

3.0 / 10

Plant-derived sterols that help to improve skin barrier function and hydration.

Usually helps with

Dry, compromised skin

Watch for

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Sphingolipids

Badness

3.0 / 10

Lipids naturally found in the skin that are crucial for barrier function.

Usually helps with

Dry, compromised skin

Watch for

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Phospholipids

Badness

3.0 / 10

Essential components of cell membranes and the skin barrier, aiding in moisture retention.

Usually helps with

Dry, compromised skin

Watch for

Antioxidant

Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside

Badness

5.0 / 10

A derivative of EGCG from green tea, providing antioxidant protection.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Antioxidant

Gallyl Glucoside

Badness

5.0 / 10

Another antioxidant derived from gallic acid, offering protection against free radicals.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Antioxidant

Propyl Gallate

Badness

5.0 / 10

Used to prevent oxidation of other ingredients in the formula.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Humectant

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to create and maintain stable emulsions.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Emulsifier

Isoceteth-20

Badness

2.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water components.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Thickener

Xanthan Gum

Badness

1.0 / 10

A common thickening agent that also helps stabilize formulations.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Chelating Agent

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the formula by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Badness

2.0 / 10

Vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Preservative

Dehydroacetic Acid

Badness

3.0 / 10

A broad-spectrum preservative that helps prevent microbial growth.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Preservative

P-Anisic Acid

Badness

3.0 / 10

A preservative that also has some skin-conditioning properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Chelating Agent

Phytic Acid

Badness

4.0 / 10

A natural chelating agent derived from plants, which can also offer antioxidant benefits.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Chelating Agent

Sodium Phytate

Badness

4.0 / 10

The salt form of phytic acid, used for its chelating properties.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Buffering Agent

Badness

3.0 / 10

A preservative that also acts as a skin-conditioning agent.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

3.0 / 10

A widely used preservative to prevent bacterial contamination.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be a skin irritant for some.

Preservative

Chlorphenesin

Badness

3.0 / 10

A preservative used to prevent microbial growth.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Compare before you buy

The next pages that make this product more useful

A good product page should push you into the next decision, not trap you inside one product page forever. These are the cleaner next clicks.

Ingredient Checker

Check whether this product overlaps with products already in your routine.

Product directory

Browse more Sephora skincare products through the Glass product directory.

FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this serum good for sensitive skin?

Yes, this serum is specifically formulated with soothing ingredients like Vitamin B12 and Centella Asiatica to help calm sensitive skin and support its barrier.

What does the pink color mean?

The distinctive pink hue of the serum comes from Vitamin B12, which also contributes to its skin-soothing and barrier-supporting benefits.

Can I use this with other serums?

Yes, it's recommended to use this serum after cleansing and before anhydrous serums, oils, suspensions, and creams, allowing it to work effectively before layering other products.

See If This Is Compatible With My Skin