How To Build A Skincare Routine Using The Ordinary
The Ordinary changed the landscape of skincare when it launched in 2016 with ingredient based serums for less than £10. Roll forward six years and a lot of us now shop for skincare by ingredients. The likes of vitamin C and retinol have become firm fixtures in many routines. If you're not sure what the difference between niacinamide and hyaluronic acid is, or if you're confused about where a salicylic acid serum slots into your routine, fear not, we've laid out a routine for every skin concern using The Ordinary. Here’s everything you need to know…
If You Have Acne-Prone Skin…
Excess sebum, redness, sensitivity and painful breakouts are just some of the things you have to contend with when you have skin that’s prone to acne. The products you use should help to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, balance oils and eliminate acne-causing bacteria.
Your Morning Routine
Step 1: Massage The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30 into dry skin and rinse away with warm water. The gentle formula will remove accumulated oil and impurities without taxing your skin barrier.
Step 2: Apply into skin to boost hydration.
Step 3: Press a few drops of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5.00 to treat blemishes and control sebum.
Step 4: Use your ring finger to massage a small amount of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 around your eye area to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Step 5: Seal in moisture and help prevent moisture-loss throughout the day with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 6: Lastly, protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV with SPF.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Remove the day’s impurities with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30. This gentle formula with remove all traces of dirt and makeup without stressing acne-prone skin.
Step 2: Apply a layer of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, £12.60 to skin once or twice a week, allowing it to work for 10-minutes before rinsing away. It will help to eliminate excess oils without stripping your skin, clear pores and calm angry skin.
Step 3: Press a few drops of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5.00 to treat any current blemishes and control sebum production.
Step 4: Tap a small amount of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 around your eye area to treat dark shadows and puffiness.
Step 5: Support your skin’s natural overnight repair process with a dose of moisture. Massage The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
If You Have Rosacea...
Rosacea is recognisable by angry red patches and visible capillaries that often appear on cheeks and the nose. It’s tricky to treat because the root cause is not always the same. Your priorities should be to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, add moisture, reduce sensitivity and protect against UV.
Your Morning Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with a gentle formula such as The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30.
Step 2: Add hydration with .
Step 3: Pat a few drops of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5.00 onto skin to strengthen your skin barrier and bring balance.
Step 4: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 to your eye area to reduce dark circles and puffiness.
Step 5: Layer The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10 on top to add further hydration.
Step 6: Protect skin from being further aggravated by UV with SPF.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30 to remove makeup, dirt and pollution that would otherwise exacerbate your rosacea.
Step 2: Restore lost moisture with a few drops of .
Step 3: Apply The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, £11.10 to help tone down redness.
Step 4: Massage The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 around your eye area.
Step 5: Lock in moisture with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 6: If your skin feels tight or like it needs further moisture press a few drops of The Ordinary 100% Rose-Hip Seed Oil, £9.70 into your skin, particularly your cheeks which can take the brunt of rosacea.
If You Have Dry Skin...
Skin feeling rough and looking flaky? You need a skincare routine that will restore lost water and oils.
Your Morning Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30. This gentle cleanser removes impurities without stripping skin of valuable moisture.
Step 2: Dry skin responds to layers of hydration. Apply a small amount of and press into skin.
Step 3: The amino acids in The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5, £8.80 are similar to those found naturally in the skin, meaning they are able to restore lost lipids very easily. Apply a few drops to skin after cleansing. It’s normal to feel a slight tingling after application but it will fade fast.
Step 4: The skin around your eyes can be dehydrated too. Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40.
Step 5: Apply a generous layer of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10. Moisturiser is crucial if your skin is dry so don’t be tempted to skip this step. If your skin starts to feel tight at any time during the day, it is likely lacking moisture. Press a small amount into skin and top up with needed.
Step 6: Regardless of your skin tone or type, UV protection is necessary. Protect your skin with a layer of SPF.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30 to retain as much hydration as possible.
Step 2: Add more hydration with .
Step 3: Use The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5, £8.80.
Step 4: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 to your eye area.
Step 5: Lock in moisture with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 6: Top up moisture by massaging in The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane, £9.90 when needed.
If You Have Oily Skin…
Oily skin means your skin is producing too much sebum, or naturally moisturising lipids, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need hydrating. Your priorities should be to balance sebum production without compromising on hydration.
Your Morning Routine
Step 1:Cleanse with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30 to remove excess oils that have accumulated overnight without stripping your skin of hydration.
Step 2: Add hydration with .
Step 3: Balance skin with The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5.00.
Step 4: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 to your eye area.
Step 5: Hydrate skin without making it feel or look greasy with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 6: Protect your skin from UV and free radical damage with a generous layer of SPF.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Cleanse your skin with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30 to remove accumulated oils, makeup, dirt and pollution.
Step 2: Regulate your oil levels with a twice-weekly treatment with The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, £12.60. Apply to cleansed skin and leave it for 10-minutes before rinsing.
Step 3: Hydrate without the heaviness with .
Step 4: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40.
Step 5: Lock in moisture with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 6: Applying an oil to oily skin can actually help balance sebum production so when your skin needs a little more TLC press in a few drops of The Ordinary 100% Rose-Hip Seed Oil, £9.70.
If You’re Concerned About Skin Ageing…
Ageing is not a bad thing, but the name does relate to a series of changes that occur after years of exposure to UV and pollution, while collagen production falls and hydration decreases. Uneven skin tone, lines and a rough texture are all examples. Your focus should be on retaining moisture, supporting collagen production and protecting your skin from the elements.
Your Morning Routine
Step 1: Cleanse skin with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30.
Step 2: Press into cleansed skin. It contains Matrixyl 3,000 peptide complex which helps to target multiple signs of ageing at once.
Step 3: Boost hydration with .
Step 4: Apply The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%, £7.70 to counteract ageing free-radicals.
Step 5: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 to your eye area to minimise the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Step 6: Maintain hydration levels with a layer of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
Step 7: Protect skin with SPF.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Cleanse skin of impurities with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £8.30.
Step 2: Apply a few drops of .
Step 3: Retinoids are the gold standard of anti-ageing products so apply The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, £11.00 a few times a week to clean skin. Retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun so you must wear SPF during the day if using a retinoid at night.
Step 4: Double-down on moisture with a few drops of .
Step 5: If your skin feels robust and is not easily irritated use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, £8.90 once a week on an evening when you’re not using retinol. Apply it to cleansed skin for no more than 10-minutes to smooth out skin texture.
Step 6: Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40 to your eye area.
Step 7: Lock in moisture for the night with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £6.10.
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