The Ordinary Skin Care Routine

Table of Contents

Interested in The Ordinary skincare routine? You’re definitely in the right place!

The Ordinary skincare routine not only utilizes the appropriate ingredients but also addresses particular concerns to provide the skin with optimal advantages.

Irrespective of your skin type or concern, this renowned brand offers a variety of effective skincare products for you to select from.

To ensure that you reap the full benefits of each product, it is crucial to understand the correct sequence of The Ordinary products you intend to incorporate into your skincare routine, as this typically involves multiple steps and products.

Read on to learn how to build a The Ordinary skincare routine with The Ordinary products only.

The Ordinary Morning Routine

Curious about the sequence of The Ordinary products to follow in the morning? The following steps can guide you through the process.

Step 1: Cleanse

Take care of your skin while helping yourself wake up in the morning.

Begin your day by cleansing your skin to eliminate any bacteria, sebum, or sweat that may have accumulated on your skin while you were asleep.

In addition, it eliminates any lingering or outdated residue from your previous nighttime skincare routine, thus preparing your skin for the application of fresh products that deliver essential nutrients and benefits.

For this task, a foam cleanser should be sufficient. However, if you have dry skin, it is recommended to opt for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip away the much-needed moisture from your skin.

Alternatively, if you have oily skin, you can consider double-cleansing or using a product that regulates excess sebum on your face.

Step 2: Exfoliate

If you want to achieve healthy skin, don’t forget to exfoliate.

Although it is not necessary to exfoliate every day, a proper skincare regimen involves exfoliating two to three times per week. This step helps to eliminate the uppermost layer of the skin, specifically dead skin cells, which can impede healthy cell turnover.

Moreover, it helps to eliminate stubborn impurities that your cleanser may have left behind. Some people suggest exfoliating at night, particularly if you wear makeup during the day.

On the other hand, exfoliating in the morning could potentially provide greater benefits. While you sleep, your skin undergoes a healing and restorative process, resulting in a buildup of dead skin cells that can be removed in the morning.

You may typically choose between physical and chemical exfoliators, depending on your skin type or concern. However, if you are creating a skincare routine with The Ordinary products, you might be more inclined to use their popular chemical exfoliators.

Step 3: Tone

Incorporating a toner into your skincare routine is a critical aspect of maintaining healthy skin. As we go about our daily lives, the pH levels of our skin can fluctuate. Toners are specifically designed to balance and restore the skin’s natural pH levels.

Moreover, many toners are formulated with additional ingredients that nourish the skin, such as hydrating properties. Additionally, they can be gentle on the skin and have multiple functions, including exfoliation. There are several toners available today that you can experiment with.

Step 4: Nourish

Now it’s time for the fun part of skincare: nourishing your skin.

Fortunately, the world of skincare offers a vast selection of incredible ingredients to choose from. Thanks to the popularity of K-beauty, you can now find three types of nourishing products: essences, ampoules, and serums.

These products are designed to have a high concentration of specific ingredients that target specific skincare concerns. The primary difference between them is the level of potency, concentration, and texture.

Fortunately, The Ordinary offers an extensive range of nourishing serums, making them a go-to brand for this step. They have a broad selection of serums that cater to various skin concerns, so take the time to explore which ones can provide the most benefit to your skin for the best Ordinary skincare routine possible!

Step 5: Moisturize

Moisturize

Moisturizing is another essential step in any skincare routine.

Our skin needs the right amount of moisture to stay healthy, but various factors, such as skin type and harsh cleansers, can cause it to become dehydrated. This is where moisturizers come in.

In addition to providing our skin with hydration and moisture, moisturizers also have another critical function. They help seal in the products that you have previously used, ensuring that you can reap all the benefits of the multiple products in your routine.

During the day, it’s best to opt for lightweight moisturizers, and you can even find ones that double as primers for added convenience. One popular option for your Ordinary skin regimen is their Natural Moisturizing Factors cream, which can provide both hydration and product-sealing benefits.

Step 6: UV Protection

A skincare routine involves multiple steps that can be done both in the morning and at night. However, there is one essential step that you should only do in the daytime and never skip: applying sunscreen.

When it comes to skincare, prevention is always better than finding a cure. Sunscreen plays a crucial role in protecting your skin from sun damage. Thankfully, The Ordinary offers excellent options for UV protection, so be sure to include one of their sunscreens in your daytime routine.

The Ordinary Nighttime Routine

Now that you’ve learned the steps for your morning routine, it’s time to discover the steps for your Ordinary night routine.

Fortunately, many of the steps in both routines are the same, but there are some notable differences that are worth mentioning.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

Cleansing is the first and foremost step in any skincare routine, regardless of whether it’s a daytime or nighttime regimen. Your skin is exposed to various environmental irritants and pollutants throughout the day, which can cause skin irritation or clog your pores if not cleaned properly.

In addition, makeup products that you may have used during the day should be removed before going to bed; otherwise, they may cause skin irritation and clog your pores. Moreover, dead skin cells accumulate on your skin, which also needs to be removed regularly. Hence, regardless of your skin type, it’s recommended to double cleanse to ensure thorough cleansing.

To start, you can use a balm cleanser, and a great option is The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser, which can dissolve any remaining makeup and skincare products on your skin, making them easy to remove.

Next, use a gel or foaming cleanser to wash away any leftover residue from the balm cleanser and remove any other impurities.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliate

Although it’s typically recommended to exfoliate as part of your morning routine, there is no strict rule dictating when to use exfoliating products. It’s possible to exfoliate at night if you prefer. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you should only exfoliate two or three times a week at most.

Step 3: Tone

Just like your daytime skincare routine, it’s important to include toning in your nighttime regimen. This step helps balance your skin’s pH levels and prepares it for the application of subsequent skincare products. It’s worth noting that some toners also offer nourishing or exfoliating benefits. If you’re using The Ordinary products together, be sure to check whether any of the ingredients might have a negative reaction when combined.

Step 4: Nourish

Nourishing your skin is an essential part of your nighttime skincare routine. It’s an important step that can help address specific skin concerns. This is where The Ordinary really shines, offering a wide variety of potent serums to choose from. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, discoloration, or other issues, it’s likely that you’ll find a product from this brand that can effectively address your particular concern.

Take a few drops of your preferred essence, ampoule, or serum and gently massage it onto your face and neck.

Step 5: Use a Sheet Mask

sheet mask

A sheet mask is considered a nourishing product, but it’s recommended to use it only two or three times a week. These masks are designed to saturate your skin with beneficial ingredients, and if cooled, they can also provide a soothing, refreshing sensation when applied.

Leave the sheet mask on for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, then remove it and gently pat any remaining product onto your face and neck.

Step 6: Use an Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is more delicate than most other areas of the face. After using a sheet mask and allowing the product to dry, apply a small amount of eye cream underneath your eyes. These products are specially formulated to address specific concerns that affect this area, such as fine lines and dark circles.

Step 7: Moisturize

To conclude your Ordinary skincare routine in the evening, be sure to use a high-quality moisturizer. This will help hydrate your skin and seal in the benefits of the other products you’ve applied. For nighttime use, a heavier night cream is recommended. These creams tend to be thicker and provide additional protection for your skin while you sleep.

The Ordinary Product Combinations You Can Try for Your Routine

Now that you know The Ordinary skincare order of steps, check out which The Ordinary products are recommended for your skin type.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Combination Skin and Normal Skin

Cleanse (AM and PM) __ The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser along with a gel/foaming cleanser (if double cleansing)

Exfoliate (AM or PM) __ AHA 30% + BHA 2 % Peeling Solution ( not for beginners)/ Salicylic Acid 2 % Anhydrous Solution / Mandelic Acid 10 % + HA

Tone (AM or PM) — Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

(Be sure to limit use to once a day if you plan to use it as a daily toner, as it also has exfoliating properties.)

Nourish (AM and PM) — Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% / Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

Eye Cream (PM) — Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Moisturize (AM and PM) — Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

Apply Sunscreen (AM) — Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 With Antioxidants / Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 With Antioxidants