Regimen Guide
We have developed this guide to offer suggestions on how to combine multiple formulations from The Ordinary in a single regimen.
In general terms, water formulations should be applied before oil formulations and we recommend using a maximum of three serum formulations in a single regimen.
The table below offers a summary on how our formulations can be combined into a regimen:
Use in the AM
Use in the PM
For Eyes
Avoid Contact with Eyes
UV Protection Recommended
Retinoids +
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural Irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with other retinoid treatments.
Time of Use
PM Only
Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural Irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with other retinoid treatments.
Time of Use
PM Only
Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with other retinoid treatments.
Time of Use
PM Only
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with other retinoid treatments.
Time of Use
PM Only
Retinol 1% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with other retinoid treatments.
Time of Use
PM Only
Vitamin C +
100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Powder
Regimen Step
Mix with other treatments
Conflicts
Niacinamide + EUK 134 + highly acidic treatments
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
Targets
Hyper-pigmentation, Dark Spots, Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Niacinamide + EUK 134
Time of Use
AM and PM
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Niacinamide + EUK 134
Time of Use
AM and PM
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support
Format
Suspension
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Niacinamide + EUK 134
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support
Format
Suspension
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Niacinamide + EUK 134
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Direct Acids +
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Targets
Dullness, Textural Irregularities
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Use as a masque and rinse off
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
1-2 times a week, Ideally PM
Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%
Targets
Dullness, Signs of aging, Antioxidant support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
2-3 times a week, PM
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural Irregularities, Antioxidant Support
Format
Suspension
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural Irregularities
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
After cleansing, before serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Targets
Uneven tone, Textural
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Targets
Uneven tone, Textural Irregularities, Fine Lines
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural irregularities
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Targets
Lackluster Tone, Appearance of Blemishes
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
After cleansing, before creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Antioxidants +
Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%
Targets
Dullness, Signs of aging, Antioxidant support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
2-3 times a week, PM
EUK 134 0.1%
Targets
Antioxidant Support, Redness
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not use with highly acidic formulations such as suspensions of ascorbic acid.
Time of Use
AM and PM
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural Irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Pycnogenol 5%
Targets
Antioxidant Support, Enhance Skin Hydration, Rebuild Skin Elasticity
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Cream, After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Hydrators and Oils +
"B" Oil
Targets
Dehydration, Signs of Irritation, Uneven Tone, Antioxidant Support, Supports Healthy Skin
Format
Oil
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
Targets
Supports Healthy Hair, Tames Hair Frizz, Uneven Tone, Dehydration, Supports Healthy Skin, Antioxidant support
Format
Oil
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
Targets
Dehydration, Signs of Aging, Inflammation, Antioxidant Support, Supports Healthy Skin
Format
Oil
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums - Mix with other treatments
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Targets
Dehydration
Format
Pure Molecule
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
High-Adherence Silicone Primer
Targets
Makeup Adherence, Visible Surface texture, Hydration
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
Last step of skincare as a makeup primer
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Any Time
High-Spreadability Fluid Primer
Targets
Makeup Adherence, Visible Surface Texture, Hydration
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Last step of skincare as a makeup primer
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Any Time
Amino Acids + B5
Targets
Hydration, Skin Repair, Supports Healthy Skin
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Targets
Hydration, Skin Repair
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Marine Hyaluronics
Targets
Hydration, Skin repair
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Targets
Hydration, Skin repair
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
Last step of skincare as a moisturizer (before makeup primer)
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane
Targets
Supports Healthy Skin, Supports Healthy Hair, Tames Hair Frizz
Format
Oil
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
More Molecules +
For maximum benefits, please alternate use between peptides, Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid and Ethylated Ascorbic Acid) and Direct Acids.
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Targets
Hyper-pigmentation, Dark Spots
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Argireline Solution 10%
Targets
Signs of Aging
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Products containing Direct Acids, pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA).
Time of Use
AM and PM
"Buffet"
Targets
Signs of Aging, Firming
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Products containing Direct Acids, pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA).
Time of Use
AM and PM
“Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
Targets
Signs of Aging, Firming, Skin Health
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Products containing Direct Acids, pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA) and/or strong antioxidants (EUK 134, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Resveratrol + Ferulic Acid)
Time of Use
AM and PM
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Targets
Puffiness, Dark Circles
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Matrixyl 10% + HA
Targets
Fine Lines, Wrinkles
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Products containing Direct Acids, pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA).
Time of Use
AM and PM
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Targets
Regulates Sebum, Minimizes Pores
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Pure Vitamin C (ELAA/LAA)
Time of Use
AM and PM
Suncare +
Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants
Targets
SPF 15 Protection, Antioxidant Support, Dehydration, Signs of Irritation
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
Last step in skincare regimen, before makeup
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM
Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants
Targets
SPF 30 Protection, Antioxidant Support, Dehydration, Signs of Irritation
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
Last step in skincare regimen, before makeup
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM
Hair Care +
Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Targets
Visible hair thickness, density & fullness
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Apply a few drops, or as needed, and massage into clean, dry scalp thoroughly. This formula is a leave on/in treatment.
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
PM
Example Regimens
Example regimen for general signs of age:
Example regimen for pigmentation issues:
Example regimen for dehydration:
Example regimen for signs of congestion & the look of blemishes:
Note: For non-comedogenic surface hydration, apply 100% Plant-Derived Squalane as the last step in the AM and PM.
Always avoid unprotected solar exposure.
Example regimen for textural irregularities:
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