The Ordinary Blemishes & Congestion Regimen

The Ordinary Blemishes & Congestion Regimen—Your quick, simple skincare routine for blemishes and congestion and the best products to use.

Because The Ordinary is constantly updating and bringing out new products, we have a few different skincare routines for blemish prone/congested skin for you to choose from. Better still, create your own personalised skincare routine online here.

Routine 1

The Latest Blemish-Prone Skincare Routine by The Ordinary

Your Morning Routine For Blemish Prone Skin

Your Evening Routine For Blemish Prone Skin

Morning Routine

Start your blemish-prone skincare routine by cleansing your face with the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser. This is one of my favourite cleanser as it works quickly, leaving my skin fresh and clean.
Then, take the Aloe 2% + NAG 2%. Put a couple of drops in the palm of your hands and pat or massage into your skin. If you feel you need more, use more.
Follow with your moisturizer. You don´t need much, as a little goes a long way. Apply just a tiny amount and add more if you need it. It´s easier to absorb in small amounts.
Don´t forget your SPF!

Evening Routine

Start with your Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Then follow with your Glucoside Foaming Cleanser.
Make sure your skin is dry
Then apply a few drops of Salicylic Acid to the palm of your hand and pat or massage it into your skin.
Allow to dry before applying your moisturizer.

New Sulfur Powder to Cream to help with blemishes

Don´t forget about the new Sulfur Powder to Cream Formula to help with spots. You will see a difference in redness within an hour.

Routine 2

Simple Skincare Routine for Blemish & Congested Skin

The 3 main products for your routine

Morning Routine	Evening Routine
Cleanse Niacinamide SPF	Cleanse Salicylic Acid Niacinamide Squalane Oil

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Your Step-Step Guide To Apply Your Blemishes & Congested Skin Routine

Morning Routine

Start with cleansed skin.
Add a couple of drops of Niacinamide to the palm of your hand, then massage or pat it in until fully absorbed. If you apply too much, you may find it goes soapy and you may get pilling.
In the morning, follow with your SPF.
You may wish to use one a moisturizer before your SPF. NMF + Beta Glucan is a lightweight gel moisturizer and there´s also Rice Lipids.

Evening Routine

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.
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.

Routine 3

Simple Skincare Routine for Signs of Congestion

This is another routine that The Ordinary provided for signs of congestion. It´s very similar to the regimen above, except it uses Natural Moisturising Factors instead of Squalane Oil, 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

NIOD Regimen for Blemish-Prone Skin

NIOD now sell “Protocols/Collections” and this is the one they recommend for Blemish-Prone Skin. It consists of one of my favourite masques, NIOD FM Flavanone Mud and Modulating Glucosides.

This set targets

Signs of Congestion
Dullness
Textural Irregularities
Look of Redness

NIOD Blemish-Prone Collection

Blemishes & Congested Skin Care Routine & Guide

Click for your quick 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

How do I create a regimen 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? 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).
Moisturiser – there are 4 The Ordinary moisturisers to choose from. If you have tried the original Natural Moisturising Factors but want something richer, go for the one with PhytoCeramides. If you prefer a lightweight moisturiser, try the one with BetaGlucan or Rice Lipids + Ectoin.
Masques – Salicylic Acid Masque, NIOD FM Flavanone Mud Masque, NIOD SS Sanskrit Saponins.

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