September 2023
The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix
You´ve just heard about The Ordinary, bought a whole load of products, and then you hear about conflicts. Here’s your quick, easy guide to The Ordinary Products you can and cannot mix. If you’re new to The Ordinary, it can be very confusing to know which products you can use in the same routine. So below is a simple chart with all The Ordinary products you can and cannot use together.
When products conflict, it means you should avoid using them in the same routine because they could cancel each other out or cause irritation to your skin. You could use one in your morning routine and one in your evening routine or use on alternate days. Everyone’s skin is different, so I suggest you keep track of the products you use and how your skin feels/looks.
The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix
On this chart, you can find all the products that have conflicts along with the products you can and cannot use with them. Remember, you can use them in alternate routines, AM/PM or on different days. This is just a guide, and it is recommended to always refer to the official The Ordinary website as conflicts are regularly updated.
This page is regularly updated. Therefore, please link to it rather than screenshot it when sharing. Always read the instructions before using and patch test products.
But Why Can´t I Use These Products Together?
Here are The Ordinary Responses Regarding Conflicts & The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix.
Why can’t I use Vitamin C derivatives with Niacinamide?
This is a confusing one! These products were often in the same regimen. In November 2020, The Ordinary said to avoid using them together. A few days later, they posted a story with these products in the same routine. Many people questioned this, and they responded that you can continue if you have used them together without irritation.
The Ordinary: We do not recommend combining Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid, Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C Derivatives) with Niacinamide with Direct or Ethylated Vitamin C and Vitamin C Derivatives. This is due to the formation of a salt complex that has the potential to reduce the integrity of both compounds. If you wish to combine both products into a regimen, we recommend using them on alternate days and/or nights.
Why can’t I use Vitamin C, Retinoids & Direct Acids in the same routine?
The Ordinary: If you wish to incorporate multiple Vitamin C’s, Retinoids, and/or Direct Acids into your skincare regimen, we suggest using them on alternate evenings and waiting until your skin has adjusted to one before introducing another.
Why can I not use The Ordinary Acids together?
The Ordinary: We do not recommend combining this masque with other direct acids in the same regimen due to the subjectivity of skin tolerance. With salicylic acid being present in the formula at high concentrations, combining it with other acidic and high-strength formulas may increase the skin’s sensitivity. If you decide to combine this masque with other direct acids, we recommend you perform a patch test of the combination before full facial application.
Why can’t I use The Ordinary Buffet with Acids & Vitamin C?
The Ordinary: This is because (at a low pH) the peptides undergo processes such as deamination and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides. Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid incompatibility between those combinations (due to various concentrations and formats offered within our range) and because skin tolerance is subjective. If you have been combining them and this has been working for you, you may continue to do so as the combination will not harm the skin.
Why can’t I mix The Ordinary Direct Acids & Peptides?
The Ordinary: 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 deamination (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 discolouration, you may continue to combine the two products as so that the combination does not pose any potential harm. Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid incompatibility between those combinations because skin tolerance is subjective.
Copper Peptides & Antioxidants, Direct Acids & Peptides
By Prudvi: 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.
By Prudvi: Having said that, if you have previously combined peptides with acids and have not experienced any negative side effects or discolouration, you may continue to combine the two products as so that 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 is subjective. Hope this helps!
The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix
Conflicting Information
The more you read on the internet, the more conflicting information you will find and become more confusing. If you’re new to skincare, I would advise you to follow the advice given by Deciem.
Patch-Testing Skincare Products
It is important to patch-test products before using them. Read how to patch test here.
How Do I Create A Skincare Regimen With All These Conflicts?
After reading about all these conflicts and the products you can and cannot use together, I hope it’s all a little clearer. Don´t forget to come and join The Ordinary & Deciem Chat Room Facebook Group.
The Ordinary Guides & Regimens
Have a look through all these different The Ordinary regimens and The Ordinary Guides
- How To Layer The Ordinary
- The Ordinary for all skin concerns
- General Signs of Ageing Regimen
- Pigmentation Regimen
- Dehydration Regimen
- Look of Blemishes & Congestion
- Rosacea Regimen
- Oily Skin Regimen
- Sensitive Skin Routine
- Personalised routines in the Facebook Group, NIOD & Hylamide routines
NIOD Conflicts – NIOD products you can & cannot mix
You can find the new NIOD Conflicts Chart here. The NIOD conflicts are regularly updated, so always check the official website www.niod.com. before using products.
