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
Antioxidants +
EUK 134 0.1%
Targets
Antioxidant Support, Redness
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%, or Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
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
Do not combine with Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
Time of Use
AM and PM
Cleansers +
Squalane Cleanser
Targets
Makeup Removal
Format
Balm-like
Regimen Step
Before Creams/Oils/Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and 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
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
Time of Use
1-2 times a week, Ideally PM
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Textural Irregularities, Antioxidant Support
Format
Suspension
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%.
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Targets
Uneven tone, Textural Irregularities, Fine Lines
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Targets
Lackluster Tone, Textural Irregularities
Format
Paste-like
Regimen Step
Use as a masque and rinse off
Conflicts
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
Time of Use
1-2 times a week, Ideally PM
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Targets
Lackluster Tone, Appearance of Blemishes
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
After cleansing, before creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Direct Acids, Peptides, Retinoids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), 100% Niacinamide Powder or EUK 134 0.1%
Time of Use
AM and PM
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
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
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
Pure Molecule
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
-
Time of Use
AM and PM
More Molecules +
100% Niacinamide Powder
Targets
Visible shine, Textural Irregularities, Enlarged Pores
Format
Powder
Regimen Step
Mix with other products
Conflicts
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA/Derivatives) or Direct Acids
Time of Use
AM and PM
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
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Targets
Puffiness, Dark Circles
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
-
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
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA/Derivatives)
Time of Use
AM and PM
Peptides +
"Buffet"
Targets
Signs of Aging, Firming
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), Direct Acids
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
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), Direct Acids, or Strong Antioxidants
Time of Use
AM and PM
Argireline Solution 10%
Targets
Signs of Aging
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), Direct Acids
Time of Use
AM and PM
Matrixyl 10% + HA
Targets
Fine Lines, Wrinkles
Format
Water-Based Serum
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), Direct Acids
Time of Use
AM and PM
Retinoids +
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Targets
Signs of Aging, Textural Irregularities
Format
Anhydrous Solution
Regimen Step
Before Oils/Creams
Conflicts
Do not combine with other Retinoids, Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), or "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
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 combine with other Retinoids, Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), or "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
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 combine with other Retinoids, Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), or "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
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 combine with other Retinoids, Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), or "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
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 combine with other Retinoids, Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), or "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
Time of Use
PM Only
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
Vitamin C +
100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
Targets
Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Powder
Regimen Step
Mix with other treatments
Conflicts
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide, Peptides, Direct Acids, Retinoids, or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide, Peptides, Direct Acids, Retinoids, or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide
Time of Use
AM and PM
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
Targets
Dullness, Uneven Tone, Signs of Aging, Antioxidant Support
Format
Oil Solution
Regimen Step
After Water-Based Serums
Conflicts
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide, Peptides, or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide, Peptides, Direct Acids, Retinoids, or EUK 134 0.1%
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
Do not combine with products containing Niacinamide, Peptides, Direct Acids, Retinoids, or EUK 134 0.1%
Time of Use
Ideally PM
Example Regimens
Example regimen for signs of aging:
Example regimen for hydration support:
Example regimen for signs of congestion:
Note: The Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is intended to be used 1-2 times a week. This product contains a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
We recommend applying sun protection as the final step in your skincare regimen when UV index is moderate to high.
Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing .
Example regimen for antioxidant support:
We recommend applying sun protection as the final step in your skincare regimen when UV index is moderate to high.
Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing .
Simplistic regimen:
We recommend applying sun protection as the final step in your skincare regimen when UV index is moderate to high.
Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing .
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