The Ordinary Products, Targets & Conflicts Guide

The Ordinary products listed by their categories and includes what skin concerns they targets, where to use them in your routine as well as The Ordinary Conflicts.

You can find a chart with all The Ordinary products you can and cannot mix. Please always refer to the official The Ordinary regimen page and the instructions on the products before using them as the information is regularly updated. Patch testing is highly recommended.

Ask Deciem for a regimen

Many people get very excited when they first hear about The Ordinary and end up buying way too many products and then find out that they conflict. To avoid this, it´s best to ask Deciem for a regimen or build your own routine here. This will save you time, stress, and money.

You can find lots of routines at the bottom of this page. If you wish to put your own routine together, try going for the products that have no conflicts and only buy 1 maybe 2 from each category.

The Ordinary Retinols & Retinoids

  • whilst not always listed as conflicts, The Ordinary recommends avoiding Retinol, Pure Vitamin C and Direct Acids in the same routine.
ProductTargetsWhen & WhereConflicts
Retinoid 2% Emulsion (moderate strength)Uneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Signs of Ageing
Dryness
PM
Emulsion
after water before oils/creams
Other Retinoid Products
Copper Peptides
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C
Retinoid 2% & 5% in Squalane (moderate strength)Uneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Signs of Ageing
Dryness
PM
Anhydrous Solution
Use after water-based products and before oils/creams
Other Retinoid Products
Copper Peptides
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C
Retinol 0.2%, 0.5% & 1% in Squalane (lowest strength)Uneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Signs of Ageing
Dryness
PM
Anhydrous Solution
Use after water-based products and before oils/creams
Other Retinoid Products
Copper Peptides
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C

The Ordinary Vitamin C Products

With conflict products, avoid using them in the same routine. You can use one in the morning and one in the evening.

ProductTargetWhen & WhereConflicts
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% SolutionAntioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing
Dullness
AM & PM
(anhydrous)
after water
before oils/creams
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1% Niacinamide
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Ascorbic Acid + Alpha ArbutinAntioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing Dullness
AM & PM
(anhydrous)
after water
before oils/creams 
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1% Niacinamide
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Vitamin C 23%Antioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing Dullness
PM
Suspension
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1% Niacinamide
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Vitamin C Suspension 30% in SiliconeAntioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing Dullness
PM
Suspension
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1% Niacinamide
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
100% L-Ascorbic Acid PowderAntioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing Dullness
PM
Powder
Mix with other treatments
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1% Niacinamide
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Ascorbyl Tetrai-
sopalmitate 20% Vitamin F
Antioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing Dullness
AM & PM
Oil
After water-based products
Niacinamide Powder & Serum
Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vit C serum)Antioxidant support
Uneven Skin Tone
Signs of Ageing
Dullness
AM & PM
Water
1st layer
before oils/creams
Niacinamide Powder & Serum
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vit C Cream)Antioxidant support, Uneven Skin Tone, Signs of Aging, DullnessAM & PM
Emulsion
After water-based products
Niacinamide Powder & Serum

The Ordinary Acids

ProductTargetsWhen & WhereConflicts
Lactic Acid 5%Uneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Water-based
Before Oils / Creams
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Lactic Acid 10%Uneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Water-based
Before Oils / Creams
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Azelaic AcidUneven Skin Tone
Look of Redness
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Suspension
After water-based Products
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Alpha Lipoic Acid – currently unavailableLacklustre skin
Signs of ageing
PM
Use Alone
2/3 times a week
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Glycolic AcidUneven Skin Tone Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Directly after cleansing / before serums
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Salicylic Acid 2% Signs of Congestion
PM
Water-based
after cleaning, before oils & creams
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Salicylic Acid MasqueSigns of Congestion
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
Use once or twice a weekCopper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous SolutionUneven Skin Tone
Signs of Congestion
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
AM & PMDirect Acids
EUK 134
Peptides
Niacinamide Powder
Niacinamide Powder
Vitamin C
Retinol
AHA 30% Peeling SolutionUneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Use once or twice a week
Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids
Mandelic AcidUneven Skin Tone
Textural Irregularities
Dullness
PM
Water-based
Before oils/creams

Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
100% Niacinamide Powder
Direct Acids
Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Retinoids

The Ordinary Antioxidants

  • This is correct at the time of publishing. Please always check the Deciem website as information can change.
ProductTargetsWhen & WhereConflicts
EUK 134Antioxidant SupportAM & PM
(anhydrous)
Before Oils / Creams
Copper Peptides
Direct Acids Pure/Ethylated Vitamin C
Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid
ResveratrolAntioxidant SupportAM & PM
(anhydrous)
Before Oils / Creams

Copper Peptides
Peptides
EUK134 0.1%
Pycnogenol 5%Antioxidant Support
Enhances Skin Hydration
Rebuilds Skin Elasticity
AM & PM
(anhydrous)
Before Oils / Creams
Copper Peptides

The Ordinary Hydrators & Oils

There are no conflicts with any of these products.

ProductTargetWhen & WhereConflicts
Hyaluronic AcidHydrates
Smooths and plumps

AM & PM
Water-based
1st Layer after cleansing
None
Marine HyaluronicsHydration
Repair
AM & PM
Water-based
1st Layer after cleansing
None
Natural Moisturizing FactorsHydrates
Protects skin from moisture loss
AM & PM
Last step
None
Borage Oil Redness
Sensitivity
Inflammation
Dehydration
Supports Healthy Skin
AM & PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums

None
Rose Hip Seed OilHydrates
Dehydration
Signs of Dullness
PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Sea Buckthorn Fruit OilDehydration
Signs of Ageing
Inflammation
Antioxidant Support
PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Marula OilHydrates
Radiant Tone
AM & PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Moroccan Argan OilHydrates
Softens Skin & Hair
PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Plant-Derived SqualaneDehydrationAM & PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Hemi-SqualaneSupports Healthy Skin & Hair
Tames Hair Frizz
AM & PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
None
Amino Acids + B5Hydration
Skin Repair
Supports Healthy Skin
AM & PM
Oil
After Water-Based Serums
Before oils / Creams
None
High Spreadability PrimerHydrates
Dewy Look
AM & PM
Last step before makeup
None
High Adherence Silicone PrimerBlurs
Hydrates
Reduces the look of pores
AM & PM
Last step before makeup
None

Peptides

ProductTargetsWhen & WhereConflicts
Buffet + Copper Peptides Signs of Ageing
Skin Health
Firming

AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams

Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA)
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Retinoids
BuffetSigns of Ageing
Firming
AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA)
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Argireline SolutionSigns of AgeingAM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA)
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
MatrixylFine Lines
Wrinkles
AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
Direct Acids
Pure Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA)
Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

 Other Molecules

ProductTargetsWhen & WhereConflicts
Niacinamide 10% plus Zinc 1% Regulates Sebum
Minimises Pores
AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
All Vitamin C
Niacinamide PowderVisible shine
Enlarged pores
Irregular skin texture
Mix with water-based products/peptides with a pH between 5.1 – 7Vitamin C
Direct Acids
Products with a pH less than 5
Alpha ArbutinFades Pigmentation
Dark Spots
AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
None
Caffeine SolutionReduces Dark Circles
Puffiness
AM & PM
Water-based
1st layer before oils/creams
None

The Ordinary Skincare Routines & Regimens

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