The Ordinary Blemishes & Congestion Regimen—Your quick, simple skincare regimen for Blemishes and congestion and the best products to use. On this page, you will find a couple of regimens by The Ordinary, which are always being updated, suggestions of the best The Ordinary and NIOD products for congested skin, and a quick guide to Blemishes and Congestion.
Routine 1 for Blemishes & Congestion
The 3 main products for your routine
| Morning Routine | Evening Routine |
|---|---|
| Cleanse Niacinamide SPF | Cleanse Salicylic Acid Niacinamide Squalane Oil |
Your Step-Step Guide To Apply Your Blemishes & Congested Skin Routine
- In the morning, start with cleansed skin. There are 3 Ordinary Cleansers to choose from. If you have cleansed really well the night before, you might be happy just to use water. Not everyone uses a cleanser in the morning.
- Then add a couple of drops of Niacinamide to the palm of your hand and massage or pat until it is fully absorbed. If you apply too much, you may find it goes soapy.
- Once Niacinamide is absorbed, you can add your SPF. You may wish to use one of The Moisturizers before your SPF. NMF + Beta Glucan is a lightweight gel moisturizer.
- For your evening routine, start with cleansed skin. If you have been wearing makeup and SPF, you may need to cleanse your skin twice. Some people use the same cleanser and some use an oil cleanser first.
- Apply a couple of drops of Salicylic Acid to dry skin. Massage or pat all over your face (avoiding eyes) until it is absorbed.
- Then apply few drops of Niacinamide and finish with a couple of drops of Squalane Oil.
- If you don´t like oils, then leave it out and use a moisturizer. Alternatively, you could add a couple of drops of oils to your moisturizer.
The Ordinary Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a water-based serum that regulates sebum and minimizes pores. You can use this directly on cleansed skin or as one of the first layers if you’re using other water-based products in your regimen.
- Regulates sebum & Minimizes pores
- You can use Niacinamide in the morning and/or evening.
- Apply Niacinamide before emulsions, creams, and oils.
- Check out the products you should not use with Niacinamide here.
- Read Niacinamide reviews
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a water-based product that helps fight acne and evens skin tone and can be used all over your face or as a spot treatment. Apply a couple of drops directly to cleansed skin or as one of your first layers if using other water-based products.
- Fights acne
- Evens skin tone
- Spot treatment or apply to the entire face
- Use a few drops directly on your face in the morning and evening.
- Conflicts – check products you should not use with Salicylic Acid here.
- Read Salicylic Acid reviews
Plant-Derived Squalane Oil
Squalane is a wonderful oil that can be used on your skin or hair. Apply a few drops in the evening after Niacinamide for extra hydration. It´s one of my favourite oils and fabulous for dry lips too!
- Prevents moisture loss & hydrates
- Non-comedogenic – suitable for use on all skin types
- Use Squalane Oil in the morning or evening after cleansing and water-based products
- Read Squalane reviews
Routine 2 for Signs of Congestion – older routine
The Ordinary Signs of Congestion Routine/Regimen
This is another routine that The Ordinary provided for signs of congestion. It´s very similar to the regimen above except it uses Natural Moisturizing Factors instead of Squalane Oil (you can use both if you wish), adds the Squalane Cleanser, and uses the Salicylic Acid Masque once or twice a week instead of Salicylic Acid.
| Morning Routine | Evening Routine |
| Squalane Cleanser Niacinamide Natural Moisturizing Factors SPF | Squalane Cleanser Salicylic Acid Masque (1 or 2 times a week) Niacinamide Natural Moisturizing Factors |
You can add these products directly to your The Ordinary basket
- Squalane Cleanser 50ml, 150ml & 240ml
- Niacinamide 30ml & 60ml
- Natural Moisturising Factors 30ml & 100ml
- Salicylic Acid Masque 50ml & 100ml
Blemishes & Congested Skin Regimen & Guide
- What is the look of blemishes & congestion?
- What do blemishes and congestion look and feel like?
- The possible causes of the look of blemishes & congestion?
- Which ingredients/products are good for the look of blemishes and congestion?
- What ingredients should you avoid for blemishes and congestion?
About Blemishes & Congestion
A guide guide to Blemishes & Congestion, what it looks and feels like, causes and ingredients to avoid.
1. What is the look of blemishes & congestion?
Whiteheads, cysts, blackheads, and closed comedones all come under the heading of acne.
2. What does it look and feel like?
Acne causes bumps, spots, and blocked pores. It can be painful and unsightly, not to mention difficult to treat. Acne can lead to scarring, which presents its own skincare challenges.
3. What causes the look of blemishes & congestion?
Acne is caused by excess oil, which may be genetic or caused by hormones.
4. What ingredients should you avoid for blemishes and congestion?
Avoid pure plant oils, which may increase pore-clogging; avoid stripping the skin with foaming cleansers and alcohol toners.
5. Which of The Ordinary Products & NIOD Products are good for the look of blemishes and congestion?
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque– Salicylic acid is oil soluble and works to clear pores.
- Salicylic Acid 2% – this targets acne and signs of congestion.
- Salicylic Acid Anhydrous – this is a more gentle solution for blemish-prone skin and uneven texture.
- Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension– Azelaic is a fantastic allrounder for acne-prone skin; it reduces inflammation, kills bacteria and exfoliates.
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc– Niacinamide reduces inflammation and hydrates; in some cases, it can really be a cure for acne. Zinc is antibacterial and can help reduce oil production
- NIOD SS Sanskrit Saponins – this is a cleanser and can also be used as a 5-minute mask. It comes in 90ml and 180ml, and its main targets are cleansing and signs of congestion.
- Flavanone Mud Masque NIOD FM. This is one of my favourite masques! You can use this once or twice a week. Leave it on for 10 minutes,, and your skin feels incredibly clean afterwards. It can sting a little! Targets signs of congestion. Available in 2 sizes, 50ml & 100ml
Blemishes & Congestion Regimen
Make your routine for blemishes & congestion
Depending on your budget and the time you like to spend on your skin, why not create a Blemishes & Congestion Regimen that suits you? The only conflict with the following products is not to use more than 1 acid in a routine. Remember to always protect your skin during the day with SPF.
- Cleansers – Squalane Cleanser, Glucoside Cleanser, Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, Sanskrit Saponins
- Niacinamide Serum – There is a powder, but if you´re new to skincare, stick to the serum. It´s easier to use.
- Salicylic Acid – Salicylic Acid 2% or Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous (oil).
- Moisturizer – there are now 3 The Ordinary moisturisers to choose from. If you have tried the original Natural Moisturizing Factors but want something richer, go for the one with PhytoCeramides. If you prefer a lightweight moisturizer, try the one with BetaGlucan.
- Masques – Salicylic Acid Masque, NIOD FM Flavanone Mud Masque, NIOD SS Sanskrit Saponins.
The Ordinary & NIOD Guides
The Ordinary Skincare Regimens & Routines
Tell Us What You Think!
We hope you found this Blemishes & Congestion Page useful. On that note, we invite you to share your personal experiences or queries about Blemishes & Congested Skin. Join the conversation and become a part of our community in The Deciem Chat Room.
