So apart from all the confusing names and layering, you also need to understand about The Ordinary products that conflict. I highly recommend you read through this page and the official Deciem Regimen Page so you understand which products can and can´t be used together. This is VERY important to know and understand.
Conflicting & Non-Conflicting Products
Below is a chart using the information given by Deciem on their regimen page. Only the products that have conflicts are mentioned in the first chart. If you use other brands, then you need to check their ingredients too.
On the official regimen
This chart is regularly updated and is a guide only. Always check the official website Deciem. Please link to this page rather than
- Always read the instructions before using a product. You can find all details on the individual product pages on the Deciem website or on their regimen page.
- Patch testing is highly recommended.
- Whilst they are not mentioned as conflicts, Deciem often say to avoid using Retinols/Retinoids, Pure Vitamin C and Direct Acids in the same routine to avoid irritation, especially if you´re new to skincare or have sensitive skin. Please do your own research.
- Deciem has now mentioned that it´s best to avoid Buffet + Copper with Retinols & Retinoids.
- Whilst I love you sharing this chart, please link to the page directly rather than screenshot as this page /chart is regularly updated.
- This is just a guide and this page takes no responsibility for any problems caused by not reading the instructions first or doing a patch test.
The Ordinary Conflicts Chart with all products with and without conflicts
The Ordinary Products With No Conflicts
Vitamin C Products
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Ascorbyl Tetraisolpalmitate
- Ascorbyl Glucoside
More Molecules
- Alpha Arbutin
- Caffeine Solution
Oils & Hydration
- B Oil
- Marula Oil
- Moroccan Argan Oil
- Rose Hip Seed Oil
- Chia Seed Oil
- Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
- Hemi-Squalane
- Amino Acids
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Marine Hyaluronics
- Natural Moisturising Factors
What Deciem say about using Peptides & Acids in the same routine
Our rule against combining strong antioxidants only applies to our products containing copper peptides. We would not recommend combining direct acids with peptides due to the susceptibility of peptides to hydrolysis (which breaks the bonds between peptides, reducing their efficacy and making them into individual amino acids). At low pH, the peptides undergo processes such as deamidation (the removal of an amide group) and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides.
Having said that, if you have previously combined peptides with acids and have not experienced any negative side effects or discoloration, you may continue to combine the two products as so as the combination does not pose any potential harm. Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid any incompatibility between those combinations and also because skin tolerance in subjective.
The Ordinary Peptides
Peptides are Buffet, Buffet + Copper, Matrixyl and Argireline. Buffet + Copper Peptides has a few more conflicts than the others. Always read the instructions and
The Ordinary Vitamin C Products
Why can’t I mix Niacinamide with Vitamin C? This is one of the most common questions in the Facebook Group as Deciem says to avoid using in the same routine, whilst many other companies use them together. Here´s their response.
Deciem say: Our contraindication is specific to our products and their concentrations. If you’ve used them together in the past and the combination has worked for you without any issues, you may continue to do so.
These are the pure vitamin C products
- Vitamin C 23%
- Vitamin C 30%
- Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
- Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
- 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder.
Other Conflicts & Conflicting Information
If you follow Deciem on Instagram, they will often suggest using Retinoids / Retinols, Acids and Vitamin Cs in different regimens due to irritation. There’s also conflicting information about Niacinamide and Vitamin C. The more you read on the internet the more confusing it will be with conflicting advice, but it´s important to read and learn.
If you are an experienced skincare user then I’m sure you have done your homework and know what’s best for your skin. For those of you who are new to skincare, it´s really down to you to decide whose advice to take. Personally, if I’m using Deciem products then I will take their advice. Remember, they do recommend patch testing and it´s good practice to patch test when you introduce 2 products in case of irritation.
