The Ordinary Products – What do they do?

Updated March 2023 – The Ordinary Products

The Ordinary Products

The Ordinary Products

On this page, you will find all The Ordinary products and what each one of them targets.

If you’re completely new to skincare, I would highly recommend asking for a skincare routine or looking at all The Ordinary Routines here and lots of personalized routines here.

You can now build your very own skincare regimen online

How to put a skincare routine together

If you wish to put a routine together yourself, I would advise 1, maybe 2 from each category and preferably products with no or few conflicts to start. You can find more pages on this website, like How To Layer The Ordinary and The Ordinary Conflicts.

When putting a routine together, remember that you should use only one of the following products in a routine. You can use a Peptide in the morning and Acids in the evening. See The Ordinary conflicts.

  • Peptides (non-copper peptides can be used with retinoids)
  • Vitamin C (direct/pure)
  • Retinol/Retinoid
  • Direct Acid

The Ordinary Products

The Ordinary Hydrators & Oils

Hydrators & OilsTargets
Moroccan Argan Oil Dehydration
Marula Oil Uneven Tone
Dehydration
Antioxidant Support
Great For Hair
Rose Hip Seed Oil Dehydration
Dullness
Signs of Aging
Chia Seed Oil Supports Healthy Skin
Squalane Oil Dehydration
“B” Oil Dehydration | Irritation
Uneven Tone |Antioxidant Support
Borage Seed Oil Redness | Sensitivity
Inflammation | Dehydration
Hemi Squalane Oil Supports Healthy Skin & Hair
Tames Hair Frizz
Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil Dehydration | Signs of Ageing
Inflammation | Antioxidant
Support
Natural Moisturising Factors Hydration | Skin Repair
Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramidesDryness
Hyaluronic Acid Hydration | Skin Repair
Marine Hyaluronics Hydration | Skin Repair
Amino Acids Hydration | Skin Repair

There are 13 products in the Hydration & Oils category, with prices varying from just under £3 for the Hemi-Squalane Oil to £14.90 for the Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil.

I would recommend adding 2 or 3 of these products to your basket. My favourites are Hyaluronic Acid, Marine Hyaluronics, Natural Moisturising Factors, Rose Hip Seed Oil and Squalane Oil.

The Ordinary Retinol & Retinoids

Retinol / RetinoidTargets
Granactive Retinoid 2%, 2% & 5% in Squalane Signs of Ageing |Textural Irregularities
Retinol 0.2%, 0.5%, 1% in SqualaneSigns of Ageing |Textural Irregularities

There are 3 Retinol & 3 Retinoids to choose from. Here´s a complete guide to Retinol & Retinoids. If you are new to skincare, starting with the lowest strength is recommended.

Which Ordinary Retinol is the strongest?

0.2% Retinol in Squalane (Low Strength, Moderate Irritation) 
0.5% Retinol in Squalane (Moderate Strength, High Irritation) 
1% Retinol in Squalane (High Strength, Very High Irritation) 

Which Ordinary Retinoid is the strongest?

2% Granactive RetinoidEmulsion (Moderate Strength, No Irritation)
2% Granactive Retinoid in Squalane (Moderate Strength, No Irritation)
5% Granactive Retinoid in Squalane (High Strength, No to Low Irritation)

  • These should now be refrigerated.

The Ordinary Antioxidants

AntioxidantsTargets
Alpha Lipoic (not available at the moment)Dullness | Signs of Aging
EUK 134Antioxidant Support | Redness
Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid Signs of Ageing
Textural Irregularities
Pycnogenol Skin Hydration
Rebuild Skin Elasticity

All of these antioxidants have conflicts. Pycnogenol has the fewest conflicts and would be a good one to start with. The Ordinary Pycnogenol comes in a 15ml bottle and is one of my favourite products. If you’re undecided, read about The Ordinary antioxidants and reviews here.

The Ordinary Direct Acids

AcidsTargets
AHA 30% Peeling SolutionDullness | Textural Irregularities
Alpha Lipoic (not available)Dullness |Signs of Aging
Antioxidant support
Azelaic AcidDullness | Uneven Tone
Textural Irregularities
Antioxidant Support
Glycolic AcidDullness | Uneven Tone
Textural Irregularities
Lactic Acid 5%Uneven tone
Textural Irregularities
Fine Lines
Lactic Acid 10%Uneven tone
Textural Irregularities
Fine Lines
Salicylic AcidLackluster Tone
Appearance of Blemishes
Mandelic AcidDullness | Uneven Tone
Textural irregularities
Salicylic Acid MasqueLackluster Tone | Appearance of Blemishes
Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous SolutionUneven Skin Tone | Signs of Congestion | Textural Irregularities | Dullness

There are 9 different acids to choose from. Glycolic Acid is a toning solution. The AHA 30% and the Salicylic Acid masque are both 10-minute masques. You can read all about The Ordinary acids and reviews here, and remember that you should use only one Acid in any routine – The Ordinary Conflicts.

The Ordinary Vitamin Cs

Vitamin CTargets
*Ascorbyl Glucoside
*Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
*Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Dullness | Uneven Tone
Signs of Age | Antioxidant Support
Vitamin C Suspension 23%
Vitamin C Suspension 30%
Uneven Tone | Signs of Age
Antioxidant Support
L ´Ascorbic Acid Powder
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid
Uneven Tone |Signs of Age
Antioxidant Support
Ascorbic Acid + Alpha ArbutinHyper-pigmentation | Dark Spots
Uneven Tone | Signs of Age
Antioxidant Support

The Ordinary More Molecules

More MoleculesTargets
Alpha Arbutin Hyper-pigmentation |Dark Spots
NiacinamideRegulates Sebum
Minimizes Pores
Niacinamide PowderVisible shine
Enlarged pores
Irregular skin texture
Caffeine SolutionPuffiness | Dark Circles (Eyes)

The Ordinary Peptides

PeptidesTargets
Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (Buffet)Signs of Ageing | Firming
Multi-Peptide + HA Serum + CopperSigns of Ageing |Firming
Skin Health
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum Signs of Ageing | Dark Circles | Puffiness
ArgirelineSigns of Ageing
MatrixylFine Lines | Wrinkles
NIOD CAIS Copper Amino Isolate Serum
NIOD CAIL Copper Amino Isolate Lipid
Overall skin health

Everyone should add one of these to their basket. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum + HA is probably the most popular peptide to start with. Read all about The Ordinary peptides, reviews and conflicts here.

Cleanser | Sun Cream | Hair Care

Product
Squalane Cleanser*
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants*
Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants*
Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density*
Natural Moisturizing Factors for Scalp
Shampoo – Sulphate 4% Cleanser
Conditioner – Behentrimonium Chloride 2

You can check The Ordinary reviews in the Deciem Chat Room if you’re wondering about any of these products. The Squalane Cleanser is great and is now available in 50ml and 150ml.

The sun creams have mixed reviews as some members have said it leaves a white cast. NIOD does a nice survival range that leaves no white cast.

The Ordinary Primers

Both primers are great and both can be worn without makeup. My favourite is the silicone primer. It works so well under my makeup leaving a pretty flawless finish and my make up lasts all day.

Serum FoundationCoverage Foundation
High-Adherence Silicone PrimerHigh Spreadability Fluid Primer

The Ordinary Products For All Skin Concerns

To help you choose products for skin concerns, you may find this page helpful. The Ordinary products for all skin types and problems.

The Ordinary Regimens

You can find lots of new routines by Deciem here.