How Do I Use & Layer The Ordinary Skincare Products?

If you're looking to build a new skincare routine from scratch, innovative brand The Ordinary are a great place to start.

With high-quality ingredients for affordable prices, you will notice instant results no matter your skin type or skincare concern. But how do I use The Ordinary products I hear you ask, and how do I build a The Ordinary skincare routine?

The best way to use products from The Ordinary is to layer them up to ensure your skin gets everything it needs to stay healthy. Building a The Ordinary routine may seem a little overwhelming at first, but knowing which order the products should be used will help build your morning and evening The Ordinary routines.

How do I layer the ordinary products? How do I use the Ordinary products? Keep reading for The Ordinary step-by-step guide to layering your skincare products so you can create the perfect The Ordinary skincare routine.

Watch the video below as Jo explains how to find out the right order for your skincare routine.


Step-by-step The Ordinary Skincare Routine

Step 1: After Cleansing

The Ordinary skincare products mainly focus on treatments as opposed to the more traditional three-step cleanse, tone, moisturise routine.

When using products from The Ordinary in your routine you should always use an additional cleanser before any step to ensure your skin is free from makeup and dirt so the treatments work most effectively.

If you're using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, it's recommended you use this after your Squalane cleanser and before any other products.

The The Ordinary Supersize Squalane Cleanser rivals the efficacy of an oil cleanser, with a conditioning effect on the skin, leaving it cleansed, hydrated and smooth.

Then, apply your toner of choice like the fabulous option below.

Step 2: Water Solutions

The Ordinary products typically are either water-based or oil-based, and it's important you apply your water-based products first. For your morning The Ordinary routine these include:

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

• The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%

• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum - 30ml

• The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA

• The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

• The Ordinary The Skin Support Set

If you are using a retinol such as The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid Emulsion 2%, these should be used only at night time as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays and they work best overnight. | For those wondering "Can I use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together?" or " Do I use niacinamide or hyaluronic acid first??" You can use both together! One of our fave combos is combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together before applying them to the skin. For those wondering "Can you use lactic acid and niacinamide together?", yes you can! Check out our guides on how to use The Ordinary's Lactic acid and how to use The Ordinary Niacinamide serum.

Step 3: After Water Solutions

The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% has an emulsion formulation, meaning it should be applied after water solutions and before oil-based products and can be used in both the morning and the evening.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% should also be applied after water solutions and before oil-based products but should only be used in the evening, and not in the same session as The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% as the two ingredients can react and weaken each other.

Step 4: Oil-based Products and Creams

The next step in your The Ordinary routine is oil-based products and creams. Once you have applied your water-based solutions and suspensions, it's time to use your heavier oil-based products and creams. These can all be used in both the morning and the evening. It's recommended you start with only using one of these especially if you have an oily complexion.

• The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil

• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil

• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

• The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

Step 5: The Final Step

The Ordinary do offer a more traditional moisturiser, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100ml which can be used in the morning and evening to rehydrate skin.

It should be the final step of your The Ordinary skincare routine to lock in moisture.

There are also two primers available which are a hybrid of skincare and makeup, the The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer and The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer . If you want to find out which is best for your skin, you can view our guide 'Which is the right primer from The Ordinary for my skin type?'

If you're still unsure as to which products you should be using, The Ordinary Skincare Guide will help you find the best products for your The Ordinary skincare routine. Psst...Now that you know how to use The Ordinary products, why not build out your The Ordinary routine? We recently launched The Ordinary skin care quiz, a super easy, under 30 seconds quiz that will tell you what products from The Ordinary are perfect for your skin type and skin concerns. Check it out below...

Now that you know how to use The Ordinary products, and how to build a The Ordinary skincare routine why not learn more about The Ordinary and its skincare products? Check out the videos below...

Which of The Ordinary products are best for your skin type

How To Layer The Ordinary Skincare Products Based On Your Skin Type

What is the Difference between The Ordinary's Vitamin C Products?

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