Want a simple way to know how to layer The Ordinary products? Read on to find out how to use The Ordinary products as part of a perfect The Ordinary routine.

The Ordinary routine for beginners

The Ordinary Skincare have an enormous range of different products – but where to start?

I have been using The Ordinary products for over four years now. My gateway products were the Ordinary skincare serums.

After using Ordinary serums for a few months and loving the results, I wanted to see more of what The Ordinary has to offer.

The beauty of The Ordinary skincare range is that it is entirely achievable to explore the range, as most Ordinary products are just £6 a pop.

To date, I have around 16 products from The Ordinary range. I am currently using around 9 products and the rest I have yet to introduce.

If you’re wondering how The Ordinary compares to other affordable skincare brands like The Inkey List, check out my detailed comparison of Inkey list VS The Ordinary.

Which Ordinary products to buy?

Unless you are extremely au fait with your skincare terms, knowing what to buy from The Ordinary involves a bit of research, as The Ordinary products are labelled by their generic active ingredients.

On first glance, An Ordinary skincare routine can look rather scientific and confusing.

If you break it down in terms of groupings, there are really only around 4 ‘groups’ of products: anti-aging, hydration, brightening, and balancing skin tone / pigmentation. 

Within those groups, there may seem like a whole lot of products to choose from, but mainly it’s just different strengths of the same or similar active ingredients. And that, in a nutshell, is The Ordinary simplified.

This article will focus on the Ordinary products that I am currently using. If you are interested in a deeper dive into The Ordinary routine, I have made a video where I explain 9 products from The Ordinary, how to use The Ordinary products, and I also discuss which products from The Ordinary are on my list to try next.

Which Ordinary Products to use?

Wondering what is the best Ordinary product to start with? Here are 6 The Ordinary products to add into your skincare routine right now:

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside solution 12%

This Vitamin C serum from The Ordinary is now a staple part of my Ordinary skincare routine.

If you aren’t already sticking some Vitamin C on your face – DO IT. This antioxidant serum will brighten your skin, reduce signs of ageing, and give you a healthy glow.

Since I’ve been using this product, I’ve noticed I’m reaching for my foundation less and less.

The Ordinary Skincare Buffet serum

Buffet is one of the most expensive products from The Ordinary, coming in at £12. But Buffet truly is a powerhouse serum. 

Buffet serum from The Ordinary combines a cocktail of Matrxyl complexes (Matryxyl being an anti-wrinkle ingredient) in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes.

If all of that means nothing to you, it’s basically a really great all-rounder for anti-ageing and dry skin. 

Another benefit of The Ordinary Buffet serum is the great glow it gives. I am onto my second bottle of Buffet serum by The Ordinary. I can’t see this water-based serum moving from my daily routine for a long time.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide has great benefits for acne-prone skin.

Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory that works to reduce the swelling and redness associated with acne. Nicainamide also works to regulate the amount of acne-causing oil being produced by the glands in your skin. 

Niacinamide (Vitamin B) helps reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion.

I use Niacinamide in the evening, and apply Vitamin C in the morning. I have found this a great way to combine two powerful active ingredients to help tackle redness, pigmentation, and dark spots.  

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane

Retinol and retinoid products are one of the only proven ingredients for anti-ageing and prevention of the appearance of fine lines. 

Retinol unblocks pores, so it is also great for spot-prone skin. 

I bought The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% purely because I haven’t explored any anti-aging products yet. But I figured 33 was a good year to start using retinol products. 

I don’t have many signs of aging, but I am JUST starting to get a few wrinkles around my eyes, and I notice the skin around my eyes is slightly more crinkly when I smile. 

There are lots of different strengths of the retinol / retinoid products from The Ordinary –  If you want to hear more about that, I explain why I chose this particular one, and which I want to try next, in my video.

If you are new to actives in skincare, or have sensitive skin, I would suggest starting with the lowest strength retinol The Ordinary offers – 0.2% Retinol in Squaline – and building up from there.

The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a highly potent antioxidant that gently exfoliates your skin. The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid removes dead skin cells and improves visible skin texture and uneven skin tone. 

If you read the reviews, a LOT of people rave about this Ordinary product and its instant effects.

I’ve been using the Alpha Lipoic Acid 2-3 times per week as instructed for the last 6 weeks, and I’ll continue to use it and see what happens. However, Unlike lots of reviewers, I have to say that I haven’t noticed a visible effect by the next morning.

I’m not sure I’ll be buying another bottle when this one runs out. But perhaps I need to wait longer to see the effects of this Ordinary product on my skin. 

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30%

After falling in love with and swiftly running out of The Ordinary’s Vitamin C product: Ascrobyl Glucoside 12%, I decided to up the Vitamin C strength with my next purchase and go for the more powerful antioxidant: 30% Vitamin C Suspension. 

Unlike the 23% version, which lots of people have reported to be gritty, the 30% vitamin C is a grit-free cream. As soon as I apply it, my skin instantly feels baby-soft. 

My only complaint is that I’ve used up my tube VERY quickly as the cream does not spread as easily as the water-based serums like the Ascorbyl Glucoside 12%.

I’ll probably re-order both of these Ordinary Vitamin C products, as they both have their uses: I like that the water-based 12% can be easily blended with other products from The Ordinary to create a serum cocktail, and I can still reap the benefits of the higher potency 30% by using it on top.

How to layer The Ordinary Products for a flawless Ordinary Skincare routine

Now, here comes the tricky part.

Going crazy with purchases from The Ordinary can immediately feel like too many cogs in the wheel.

There are certain Ordinary products that can’t be used in conjunction with other Ordinary products, and certain products that are best applied at night time.

I had to write myself a little instruction sheet to keep track of my skincare regimen, and remember how to layer The Ordinary products for the best The Ordinary routine. 

I keep my skincare in this rotating makeup organiser – it allows me to separate my AM, PM, and occasional use products, making for an easily memorable skincare regimen, with no products winding up neglected at the back of a drawer!

I find having a print out of this chart by my dressing table gives me a simple, visual way to work out how to layer The Ordinary products.

I find having a print out of this chart by my dressing table gives me a simple, visual way to work out how to layer The Ordinary products for a flawless The Ordinary routine. 

Which Ordinary products should not be used together?

There are conflicting reports on whether you should or should not apply Vitamin C products at the same time as Retinol / Retinoid products. 

The Ordinary conflict chart / regimen guide on The Ordinary’s website suggests there is no conflict. Hence why I apply my Vitamin C at the same time as my retinoid.

Sometimes I apply one in the early evening and one in the late evening just to leave some space between products.

Can you mix niacinamide and Vitamin C ? Deciem suggest not using niacinamide and vitamin C together.

Although, Deciem have also stated that if you use Niacinamide Serum with Derivatives without irritation, you may continue to do so – so I think it’s a matter of potential skin sensitivity.

Note: With most of these Ordinary products you’ll likely start to notice a difference within a couple of weeks. But don’t forget that it can take up to 3 months of regular use before you will start to see the full effects of a new skincare product.

This is to do with the amount of time it takes to penetrate the deeper layers of skin tissue – so don’t be too quick to write off a skincare product!

My verdict on The Ordinary skincare

The Ordinary are pretty unbeatable when it comes to price. For example, every other vitamin C product I’ve looked at has been at least £20+. 

It’s life-changing to be able able to buy a £6 bottle of something which I KNOW works wonders for my skin and that I will want to have in stock for daily use.

Serums are normally so expensive, but The Ordinary make them affordable, even if you are combining 3 of their serums together, as I often do. 

Once you get past the hurdle of needing to know which Ordinary products do what, The Ordinary skincare is a range that will get you great results without needing to spend the big bucks on high-end skincare.

My skin has changed dramatically since using The Ordinary skincare products. 

I love that The Ordinary offer so many products to tackle different skin concerns. 

My complexion is much clearer. My skin looks healthy enough to forgo foundation if I want to. My formerly dull skin is now glowing. 

I think this is mostly down to the introduction of active ingredients and serums to my skincare routine. 

Before introducing The Ordinary routine, I was just cleansing, toning and moisturising. The Ordinary has certainly provided me with the cheapest way of getting towards healthy skin.

Watch my video where I explain how to use The Ordinary Products, and review 9 products from The Ordinary:

The Ordinary products FAQ

Why is The Ordinary so popular?

A focus on effective ingredients combined with a very affordable price tag makes The Ordinary a leading skincare brand. 

The Ordinary’s no-nonsense product names get you really thinking about which skincare actives will have the biggest impact in your skincare routine. 

While The Ordinary revolutionized affordable skincare, other brands like The Inkey List have followed suit (see my comparison of The Inkey List vs The Ordinary to understand the key differences between these budget-friendly brands

What should be my The Ordinary routine?

A great starter Ordinary routine is as follows:

• Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
• Moisturising Serum
• Eye Serum
• Active Serum
• Moisturiser
• SPF

What is the number 1 Ordinary product?

The most popular product from The Ordinary is the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. 

The Ordinary Peeling solution is an exfoliating facial designed to clear pore congestion for a bright youthful complexion. 

What is The Ordinary’s best-selling serum?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum 2% + B5 is a hero product for all skin types, making it The Ordinary’s best-selling serum. 

Which Ordinary products should I not use at the same time?

Here is a list of potential conflicts between The Ordinary products:

Vitamin C products and Niacinamide

Using Vitamin C together with Niacinamide has the potential to reduce the integrity of both compounds. If you wish to combine both products into a regimen, it is recommended to use them on alternate days and/or nights. 

Vitamin C at the same time as Retinol / Retinoids and direct acids

Using multiple Vitamin C’s, Retinoids, and/or Direct Acids at the same time can cause skin irritation. 

It is recommended to use these products on alternate evenings and waiting until your skin has adjusted to one before introducing another.

Buffet with Vitamin C

Using Buffet serum with Vitamin C products can prevent the peptides in the Buffet serum from working properly. 

Peptides with Direct Acids

It is not recommended to mix peptide complexes with direct acids, as it reduces the efficacy of the peptides. 

How long does it take to see results with The Ordinary?

Some Ordinary products will give a visible result within a few uses. However, permanent results for your complexion will take between 6 weeks to 3 months to take effect.