The Complete Beginner´s Guide to How To Layer The Ordinary Products 2026

Last updated June 2026

• How do I layer The Ordinary?
• Should I wait before adding another product?
• Which The Ordinary Product Comes First?
• All your questions answered below👇

How to Layer The Ordinary (Cheat Sheet)

Your 30-second guide to layering skincare products

• Cleanser
• Water-based serums
• Anhydrous serums/Oils
• Creams/Emulsions
• SPF (AM only)

Applying your Ordinary products

1. Start with Cleansed Skin
2. Apply 2 or 3 drops of serum to cleansed skin by patting or massaging it in.
3. If you have 2 water-based products, apply the thinnest or the one that targets your most important skin concern first.
4. There´s no specific waiting time between layers, but ensure each layer is absorbed before applying the next.
5. Patch-testing is recommended!
6. Make sure you check product conflicts!

Useful bits and bobs

• ✅ Download your free printable PDF
• ✅ Check which products you can and cannot mix
• ✅ Build your own skincare routine here

---

Your FREE Printable How To Layer The Ordinary Cheat Sheet

Download and print your free PDF Guide to Layering Ordinary Skincare and keep it near your skincare products.

---

Layering The Ordinary Skincare Products

Have you just received your first The Ordinary order and are now wondering How To Layer The Ordinary Products? It can be very confusing, but hopefully, by the time you´ve finished reading this page, it will become clearer. It´s essential to know how to layer your skincare products so they can penetrate the skin and do their job.

---

How To Layer The Ordinary – In more depth

Above is your very quick guide to layering The Ordinary skincare products. Now, we’ll discuss applying your skincare products and solutions in more detail.

• About Layering The Ordinary Skincare Products
• How To Layer The Ordinary Chart/PDF
• The Ordinary Layering Infographic
• Product solutions – find out what solutions your products are
• How to apply your products
• Tips when layering The Ordinary
• Product Pilling/Bits
• Regimen Examples
• Building a Regimen
• Video How To Layer
• Why layer slowly

From years of running the Deciem Chat Room community, the biggest mistake beginners make is buying six serums and trying to use them all at once. In practice, most people get better results with a simple routine of cleanser, one or two treatment products, moisturizer, and SPF

The Simple Way To Layering The Ordinary Skincare

The simple way to layer your skincare products is generally from the thinnest/clearest to the thickest/opaque. But remember, you DO NOT have to use all these layers. You may cleanse and apply a Multi-Peptide Serum followed by a Moisturiser, or you may cleanse and moisturise.

The Ordinary Application Order Chart/PDF

Here´s a Layering The Ordinary Chart with most of The Ordinary products listed by their solutions. On the box of each product, it will say something like apply before oils and creams or after water-based serum. You can find the solution for each product on the individual product pages either on this site or at The Ordinary. This is the order in which you would apply your products;

• Water-based
• Anhydrous/Oil
• Creams/Emulsion
• Suspension
• There are a few exceptions, so continue to read the rest of the page!

There are more products, but they are masques or haircare, which do not apply to the chart.

The Ordinary Solutions

You may find the chart above easier to follow but I have listed all the products by their solutions here with direct links to the page reviews within this site.

The Ordinary Water-Based Products = 1

Apply water-based products directly after cleansing. If using acids, milky toner or the essence, apply these first, directly after cleansing. If using multiple water-based solutions, apply the one that targets your main skin concern first, or the one with the thinnest consistency.

The Ordinary Anhydrous Products = 2

These should be applied after water solutions (if used) and before oils/creams.

The Ordinary Oils = 3

Oils should be applied after water solutions but before creams/emulsions. Some people use these as the very last step. Deciem recommends oils before heavy creams like Natural Moisturising Factors. See which way works for you. You can always mix a couple of drops of oil into the Natural Moisturizing Factors.

The Ordinary Emulsions = 4

This is where you need to do a bit of free thinking. Emulsions/Creams are supposed to be the last step, but there are some exclusions, as you can see below

The Ordinary Suspensions = 5

Originally, it was recommended to use these before NMF moisturizers, but then it was recommended to use them after, and then it was mentioned that you should use them as you wish.

The Ordinary Powders

The Layering Guide from The Ordinary

This is the how-to-layer guide from The Ordinary. The Ordinary recommends no more than three serums in a routine. Whilst there are many steps here, they are not saying you have to do them all. You may only cleanse, water-based serum, cream, and SPF. If you layer too many products, you may experience “pilling,” where lots of bits come off your face once you apply your SPF or makeup, and it is not a nice feeling.

How to apply your skincare products

You only need 2 or 3 drops of a product. If you feel you need more, use more. Apply using your fingertips or palms, then pat or massage it into your skin.

Some people like to apply the product directly from the dropper, but you don´t want the dropper to touch your skin, and you have less control over the amount of product.

Once the product has been absorbed, apply the next product.

Layering Skincare Tips

• Start with clean, dry skin. If you’re using direct acids, apply them immediately after cleansing.
• Use 2–3 drops of each serum and a pea-sized amount of cream—a little goes a long way.
• Let each product absorb before applying the next layer.
• The Ordinary recommends using no more than three serums in one routine.
• If you’re using multiple water-based serums, apply the one targeting your main skin concern first.
• Always check for product conflicts and whether each product should be used in the morning (AM), evening (PM), or both. If two products conflict, use them in alternate routines.
• Avoid buying too many products at once. A simple routine used consistently for several weeks is usually more effective than constantly switching products.
• Before building your routine, check which The Ordinary products can and cannot be mixed to avoid irritation and get the best results.

Why are The Ordinary products pilling?

When you have applied your serums, moisturizer, and SPF, you might touch your skin and feel “bits.” This is called “pilling” or “balling.” It is not your skin—it´s the product. Read more about “Ordinary pilling” and how to prevent it.

Skincare Regimen/Routine Examples

Firstly, you don´t need 15 layers of skincare, as seen on Instagram and TikTok. Keep it simple to start and be consistent!

Signs of Ageing Skincare Routine
Morning Routine: Squalane Cleanser,  Multi-Peptide Serum + HA, Natural Moisturising Factors, SPF
Evening Routine: Squalane Cleanser, Multi-Peptide Serum, Retinoid

Dehydration Routine
Morning Routine Hyaluronic Acid & Natural Moisturizing Factors
Evening Routine: Hyaluronic Acid,  Plant-Derived Squalane
Note: Alternatively, Marula Oil or Moroccan Argan Oil can be used instead of Plant-Derived Squalane in the PM.

Is there a video explaining How To Layer The Ordinary?

The 5 biggest mistakes beginners make

• Changing routines every few days instead of giving products time to work.
• Buying too many serums at once.
• Using conflicting actives together.
• Skipping SPF.
• Applying too much product.

Why start layering slowly with The Ordinary?

Start slowly in case of reactions. If you use three products all at once for the first time, followed by a reaction, how will you know which product caused it? This is why it´s important to introduce one product at a time.

FAQs about Layering The Ordinary

What order do I apply The Ordinary? Cleanser, water-based serums, anhydrous serums, oils, creams/emulsions, SPF

Which The Ordinary serum goes first? Once cleansed, start with your water-based serums like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide etc.

How long should I wait between The Ordinary products? There isn´t really an amount of time but be sure you have patted or massaged the previous product in well before applying the next.

Can I use niacinamide before hyaluronic acid? You can yes. If you have numerous products that are water-based, use the one that is the thinnest or the one that targets your main skin concerns. Don´t worry too much.

How many The Ordinary serums can I use together? The Ordinary recommend no more than 3 serums. In all honesty, less is more but if you want to use numerous, see how these feel on your skin.

The Ordinary routine order morning and night? Your night routine could be the same as your morning but without the SPF. Evenings is when you may use an acid and stronger products than during the day. You can receive your personalised The Ordinary Skincare Regimen here.

The Ordinary Guides

• How To Layer The Ordinary
• The Ordinary Product Conflicts
• Products You Can & Cannot Mix
• The Ordinary Skincare Regimens