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
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 Solutions
Conflicts
Niacinamide
Time of Use
AM and PM
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Water Solution
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 Solutions
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and/or PM
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Emulsion
Regimen Step
After Water Solutions
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Age, Antioxidant Support
Format
Suspension
Regimen Step
After Water Solutions
Conflicts
Niacinamide
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Direct Acids +
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Targets
Dullness, Textural Irregularities
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Use as a masque and rinse off
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
1-2 times a week, Ideally PM
Alpha Lipoic Acid Solution 5%
Targets
Dullness, Signs of aging, Antioxidant support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water Solutions
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 Solutions
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural Irregularities
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
After cleansing, before serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Targets
Uneven tone, Textural
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Targets
Uneven tone, Textural Irregularities, Fine Lines
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural irregularities
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Targets
Lackluster Tone, Appearance of Blemishes
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
After cleansing, before creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Antioxidants +
Alpha Lipoic Acid Solution 5%
Targets
Dullness, Signs of aging, Antioxidant support
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
After Water Solutions
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/or 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/or PM
Hydrators and Oils +
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 Solutions
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Any Time
100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
Targets
Dehydration, Signs of Aging, Inflammation, Antioxidant Support, Supports Healthy Skin
Format
Oil
Regimen Step
After water solutions - Mix with other treatments
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
Ideally PM
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Targets
Dehydration
Format
Pure Molecule
Regimen Step
After water solutions
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
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Targets
Hydration, Skin Repair
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Marine Hyaluronics
Targets
Hydration, Skin repair
Format
Water Solution
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
More Molecules +
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Targets
Hyper-pigmentation, Dark Spots
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and/or PM
Argireline Solution 10%
Targets
Signs of Aging
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
"Buffet"
Targets
Signs of Aging, Firming
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
“Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
Targets
Signs of Aging, Firming, Skin Health
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Apply at least 30 seconds before or 30 minutes after the application of products containing direct acids, Vitamin C or retinoids.
Time of Use
AM and PM
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Targets
Puffiness, Dark Circles
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and/or PM
Matrixyl 10% + HA
Targets
Fine Lines, Wrinkles
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Targets
Regulates Sebum, Minimizes Pores
Format
Water Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Vitamin C
Time of Use
AM and/or 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.
Example regimen for textural irregularities:
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