[STAGING TEST] How Do I Use & Layer The Ordinary Skincare Products?
Proper layering of The Ordinary products maximises their effectiveness on your skin. Start with a cleanser to remove impurities, then apply water-based treatments before oil-based ones. Retinol products work best at night due to UV sensitivity concerns. Finish your routine with moisturiser to lock in hydration and maintain your skin's protective barrier.
Key takeaways from this article
- Apply water-based products like hyaluronic acid before oil-based serums and creams
- Use retinol only at night to prevent sun sensitivity and maximise effectiveness
- Combine niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together for enhanced hydration benefits
- Always cleanse your skin first to ensure treatments penetrate and work effectively
- Finish with moisturiser to seal in hydration and support your skin barrier
Understanding how to layer The Ordinary products correctly transforms your skincare results. This guide breaks down the exact order and combinations that work together, helping you build an effective routine tailored to your skin type and concerns without wasting money on products used incorrectly.
If you're looking to build a new skincare routine from scratch, innovative brand The Ordinary are a great place to start.
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.
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 TEST UPDATE, it's recommended you use this after your Squalane cleanser and before any other products.
The The Ordinary Supersize Squalane Cleanser 150ml 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.
Designed to target textural irregularities and lackluster tone, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains 7% Glycolic Acid, Amino Acids, Aloe Vera, Ginseng and Tasmanian Pepperberry. Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid that exfoliates the skin. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% offers mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture with continued use.
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:
If you are using a retinol such as The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid Emulsion 2% - 30ml, these should be used only at night time as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays and they work best overnight. You can use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together, and 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% - 30ml 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 [DO NOT TOUCH] - The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 30ml 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.
Step 5: The Final Step
The Ordinary do offer a more traditional moisturiser, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA - 30ml 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.
This lightweight moisturiser uses a blend of hydrating ingredients to help nourish dehydrated and dry skin for both instant and long-term hydration. Containing ingredients that occur naturally in the skin, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Amino Acids to deliver instant and long-term hydration.
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, view our primer guide.
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.
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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