The idiot’s guide to layering The Ordinary

You’ve just received all your products, you’re super excited to start your new skincare routine but you have no idea how to layer The Ordinary.

Well, you’re not alone, and I really hope this page makes it a little easier to understand.

How To Layer The Ordinary

Layering skincare products should be applied from the thinnest / clearest to the heaviest / opaque.  I suggest you mark your products 1, 2, 3, 4 when starting out.  It´s all about layering the products so they are able to penetrate the skin.

The Ordinary Product Solutions

There are 5 different types of solutions (bases)

• Water
• Anhydrous
• Suspension
• Oil
• Emulsion

Deciem Recommend Layering The Following Way

1. Water based solutions first
2. Anhydrous or oil formulations
3. Emulsion / cream
4. Suspensions, now this is the tricky one!  Some say suspension before emulsion / creams, some say after.  Deciem have mentioned that Vitamin C 23% should be applied after Natural Moisturising Factors but in some answers, they have said before. See what suits you and your skin.

The Ordinary Products By Solutions

How To Layer The Ordinary

Water = 1

Apply these to cleansed skin.  If you use numerous water based products, Deciem recommend starting with the one which helps the skin condition you are trying to target the most.

• Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
• AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution* (masque)
• Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
• Lactic Acid 5% + HA
• Lactic Acid 10% + HA
• Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
• Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
• Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
• Marine Hyaluronics
• Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
• Argireline Solution 10%
• “Buffet”
• Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
• Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
• Matrixyl 10% + HA
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Anhydrous Solutions = 2

Apply Anhydrous products after water solutions (if using) and before Oils / Creams.

• Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
• Retinoid 5% in Squalane
• Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
• Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
• Retinol 1% in Squalane
• Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
• Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
• Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% * use alone
• EUK 134 0.1%
• Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
• *High-Spreadability Fluid Primer (last step before makeup)
• Pycnogenol

OILS = 3

Oils should be applied after water solutions and before creams / emulsions.  Some people leave this as their last step or you could lock it all in with a cream like Natural Moisturising Factors.

You can also use these alone!

• Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F
• “B” Oil
• Borage Seed Oil
• Moroccan Argan Oil
• Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
• Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil
• Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
• Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
• 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
• 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane

Emulsions = 4/5

Emulsions / Creams are supposed to be the last step but this doesn’t really work except for the Natural Moisturising Factors and the Sun Creams.

• *Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (after water solution, before oil / creams)
• *Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% (after water solutions, before oils / creams)
• *High-Adherence Silicone Primer (last step before makeup)
• Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
• Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants
• Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants

So as you can see, the rule 1,2,3, then 4 doesn’t always work, so you need to do a bit of free thinking which is why it’s really important you learn a little.  Remember, this is just the layering and doesn’t include all the conflicting products.

Suspensions = 4/5

(Some say this is the last step and some say it’s the penultimate step).

Suspensions cause quite a bit of confusion.  Although on the regimen page it says apply after water based products, Deciem have mentioned to people, including myself, to use the Azelaic Acid before the Natural Moisturising Factors, and the Vitamin C after.  But then in other comments, I’ve seen it mentioned the other way around. You can always check the Live Chat Deciem or post a question in Facebook Group.

• Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
• Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
• Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone

The Ordinary Regimen Examples

In bold you can see numbers, as per above, which hopefully will help you understand how to layer The Ordinary.  Remember, from the thinnest / clearest to heaviest / opaque.  This is the order but it doesn’t mean you have to always use all 4 of them, 1+2+3+4.  You might just do 2+3 or 1+3+4, 1+1 or 1+2.

Pigmentation Issues

The Ordinary Conflicts

Ok, so hopefully you’re a little clearer on how to layer The Ordinary and the different types of solutions you need to use. Now to the really confusing part! So apart from the confusing names and the layering, you also have to deal with the products that conflict, meaning they can’t be used together!

It’s really important that you regularly look at The Ordinary Regimen Guide on the official website because it’s often updated with new conflicting products. I have created this page listing all The Ordinary Product Conflicts and a chart which I really hope will help.

Example:  The Peptides (Buffet, Buffet + Copper Peptides, Argireline and Matrixyl)  should not be used with Direct Acids, L´Ascorbic Acid or Ethylated Ascorbic Acid (Vit Cs).  Niacinamide shouldn’t be used with pure vitamin c.  These are just a few of the conflicts.  There are many more conflicts and it becomes even more confusing once you start adding more products.

So this is why I highly suggest buying a set regimen or asking Deciem for a regimen, especially if you are new to skincare.

I know from experience that when you first hear about The Ordinary you will fill your basket right up because the products look so cheap. But seriously, don’t waste money buying lots of products which could end up conflicting. You only have 1 face and there’s only 7 days in a week!

Keep The Ordinary Simple

If a product has too many conflicts, for example Buffet + Copper Peptides, then you can make life really difficult for yourself by trying to figure out a regimen on your own, especially if you have already bought lots of products.  Ask Deciem for a regimen, so you can be sure the products can be used together. Don’t buy too many products of the same solution or category and stick to the same routine for a good few weeks for the best results.

Why Start Slowly?

Imagine you use 3 products all at once for the first time and your skin has a reaction. How will you know which product caused it? That’s why we recommend introducing one product at a time, although we know many Deciem Addicts don’t stick to this.

Patch Testing

Deciem recommend patch testing in case of an allergic reaction. We have received a few posts in the Facebook Group from members who unfortunately have had reactions to some of the products, as you can with any brand. In reality, I know the majority of you will not bother patch testing, but you have been warned!