The Ordinary has become a favorite for skincare lovers because its products focus on straightforward ingredients, targeted formulas, and affordable options. But with so many serums, acids, moisturizers, and treatments available, creating a routine can quickly become confusing.
The good news is that you don’t need to use every product at once. A simple routine built around cleansing, hydration, treatment, moisturizing, and daily sun protection is usually a much better starting point. Below, you’ll find an easy The Ordinary skincare routine for morning and night, plus ideas for oily, acne-prone, dry, and mature-looking skin.
How to Build a The Ordinary Skincare Routine
When using several The Ordinary products, the order matters. In general, start with cleansing and lighter, water-based products before moving toward thicker formulas and oils.
A basic routine can look like this:
Morning: Cleanser → Treatment serum → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer → Sunscreen
Night: Cleanser → Treatment or exfoliant → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer
You don’t have to use every step every day. The right routine depends on your skin type, concerns, and how well your skin tolerates active ingredients.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Morning
1. Start With The Squalane Cleanser
Begin your morning by gently cleansing your skin. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is designed to remove everyday dirt, excess oil, and impurities without leaving the skin feeling stripped.
Massage a small amount over dry skin, then rinse thoroughly. If your skin is particularly dry or sensitive, avoid using a harsh cleanser that leaves your face feeling tight.
2. Add a Targeted Serum
This is where you can customize your routine according to your main skincare concern.
For oily or blemish-prone skin, a niacinamide-based serum can be a useful option. Niacinamide is commonly used in skincare routines aimed at improving the appearance of excess oil, uneven tone, and blemishes.
If dullness or uneven-looking pigmentation is your main concern, consider a vitamin C product instead.
You don’t need several strong serums in the same routine. Pick one main treatment and give your skin time to adjust.
3. Hydrate With Hyaluronic Acid
If your skin often feels tight, dehydrated, or dull, a hyaluronic acid serum can add lightweight hydration.
Apply it to slightly damp skin and follow with moisturizer. Hydrating serums are especially useful when you’re introducing active ingredients because maintaining the skin barrier is just as important as treating specific concerns.
4. Moisturize
Follow your serums with a moisturizer such as The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors range.
A moisturizer helps support the skin barrier and reduces the uncomfortable dryness that can sometimes happen when using active skincare products.
If you have oily skin, choose a lightweight layer. Dry skin may benefit from a richer moisturizing formula.
5. Finish With Sunscreen
Never skip sunscreen during the daytime.
This is particularly important when your routine includes exfoliating acids or other active ingredients. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF as the final step of your morning skincare routine and reapply as needed when you’re outdoors.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Night
Your nighttime routine can be slightly more treatment-focused because you don’t need to apply sunscreen afterward.
1. Cleanse Your Skin
Start by removing makeup, sunscreen, and buildup from the day.
If you wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, you may prefer a first cleansing step followed by The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. Otherwise, one gentle cleanse may be enough.
Avoid scrubbing aggressively because irritation can make many skin concerns look worse.
2. Choose One Main Treatment
The Ordinary offers many exfoliating and treatment products, but more isn’t necessarily better.
Depending on your skin concerns, you might use an exfoliating acid, salicylic acid product, or another targeted treatment.
If you’re new to active skincare, introduce one product at a time rather than combining several strong treatments immediately.
3. Add Hydration
After your treatment, use a hydrating serum if your skin needs additional moisture.
Hyaluronic acid is a simple choice for many routines, while plant-derived squalane can provide a more nourishing feel for skin that tends to become dry.
4. Finish With Moisturizer
Seal your routine with a moisturizer to help keep your skin comfortable overnight.
A consistent moisturizing step can be particularly helpful when using exfoliating or blemish-focused treatments.
The Ordinary Routine for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Oily skin doesn’t mean you should avoid moisturizer. In fact, keeping the skin properly hydrated can help prevent the uncomfortable tightness that often comes from over-cleansing.
A simple morning routine could be:
- Squalane Cleanser
- Niacinamide serum
- Lightweight hydrating serum
- Natural Moisturizing Factors
- Broad-spectrum SPF
At night, cleanse your skin and use a suitable acne-focused treatment. Salicylic acid can be an option for people dealing with clogged pores, but it should be introduced gradually.
Exfoliating treatments should not automatically be used every night. Start slowly and monitor how your skin reacts.
The Ordinary Routine for Dry Skin
Dry skin usually benefits from a routine focused on hydration and barrier support rather than aggressive exfoliation.
Morning
Start with a gentle cleanse, followed by a hydrating serum such as hyaluronic acid or another moisturizing formula. Apply Natural Moisturizing Factors afterward and finish with sunscreen.
Night
Cleanse gently and apply a hydrating treatment. You can also use plant-derived squalane if you want additional moisture. Finish with a nourishing moisturizer.
If your face feels tight or uncomfortable after applying active ingredients, reduce the frequency of those treatments instead of adding more products.
The Ordinary Routine for Mature-Looking Skin
If your main concerns are fine lines, loss of firmness, dullness, or uneven-looking texture, concentrate on hydration, antioxidants, and carefully introduced treatments.
A simple morning routine can include:
- Squalane Cleanser
- Antioxidant serum
- Hyaluronic acid
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
For nighttime, cleanse first and then use a suitable peptide or retinoid-based product if your skin tolerates it. Follow with a hydrating serum and moisturizer.
Retinoids can be powerful ingredients, so beginners should introduce them slowly and follow the product’s directions.
The Ordinary Routine for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin requires a little more patience.
Instead of creating a complicated 7- or 8-step routine, start with the basics:
Cleanser → Moisturizer → Sunscreen
Once your skin is comfortable with those products, introduce one serum or treatment at a time.
Avoid starting several exfoliating acids, retinoids, and strong vitamin C products simultaneously. If irritation develops, simplify your routine until your skin feels comfortable again.
How to Layer The Ordinary Products
A useful rule is to move from thinner formulas to thicker ones.
A typical routine may look like:
Cleanser → Toner → Water-based serum → Treatment → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer → Oil
However, always check the directions for the specific product you’re using because some formulas have special application instructions.
You also don’t need to wait several minutes between every skincare step. Allow each layer enough time to spread and settle comfortably before applying the next one.
The Ordinary Products You Shouldn’t Overuse Together
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is assuming that combining more active ingredients will produce faster results.
Strong exfoliating acids, retinoids, and other potent treatments can increase the chance of irritation when layered incorrectly.
Instead of using several powerful treatments in one routine, alternate them.
For example, you might use one treatment on certain nights and another on different nights. This gives you a much simpler routine while reducing the risk of overwhelming your skin.
Always follow the specific product instructions and check The Ordinary’s compatibility guidance before combining active ingredients.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Other The Ordinary Products?
Hyaluronic acid is generally one of the easier ingredients to incorporate into a skincare routine because its main purpose is hydration.
It can be paired with many different types of products and is particularly useful when your skin feels dehydrated.
A simple combination is:
Cleanser → Treatment → Hyaluronic Acid → Moisturizer
The hydrating serum can help make the routine feel more comfortable, especially when you’re using products designed to address texture or blemishes.
How Often Should You Use The Ordinary Products?
Not every product needs to be used every day.
Gentle cleansers and moisturizers can generally become regular parts of your routine, while exfoliating treatments and stronger actives may need less frequent use.
When trying something new, start with a lower frequency and increase gradually if your skin tolerates it.
If you notice persistent burning, excessive redness, peeling, or discomfort, stop the irritating product and simplify your routine.
A Simple Beginner-Friendly The Ordinary Routine
If you’re completely new to The Ordinary, don’t buy ten products at once.
Start with these basics:
Morning: Cleanser → One treatment serum → Moisturizer → Sunscreen
Night: Cleanser → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer
Once your skin is comfortable with this routine, you can introduce additional products according to your specific concerns.
The goal isn’t to have the longest skincare routine. The goal is to create a routine you can consistently follow without irritating your skin.
Final Thoughts
Building a The Ordinary skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a gentle cleanser, choose one targeted treatment for your main concern, add hydration, moisturize, and protect your skin with sunscreen every morning.
The most important thing is to introduce active ingredients slowly and avoid piling too many strong products into the same routine. Once you understand what your skin needs, you can gradually customize your routine and find the combination that works best for you.
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