We have developed this guide to offer suggestions on how to combine multiple formulations

from The Ordinary in a single regimen.

In general terms, water formulations should be applied before oil formulations and we
recommend using a maximum of three serum formulations in a single regimen. The table
below offers a summary on how our formulations can be combined into a regimen:

Time of
Product Format Regimen Step Conflicts
Use

100% Cold-Pressed After Water Any

Oil -
Virgin Marula Oil Solutions Time

100% Organic Cold-

After Water Any
Pressed Moroccan Oil -
Solutions Time
Argan Oil

100% Organic Cold-

After Water Any
Pressed Rose Hip Oil -
Solutions Time
Seed Oil

100% Plant-Derived After Water Any

Oil -
Squalane Solutions Time

Advanced Retinoid Before PM

Emulsion -
2% Oils/Creams Only

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Water Use as a masque Ideally

-
Peeling Solution Solution and rinse off PM

Alpha Arbutin 2% + Water Before AM and

-
HA Solution Oils/Creams PM

2-3
Alpha Lipoic Acid Anhydrous After Water times a
-
Solution 5% Solution Solutions week,
PM

Argireline Solution Water Before AM and

-
10% Solution Oils/Creams PM

Ascorbyl Glucoside Water Before AM and

-
Solution 12% Solution Oils/Creams PM

Ascorbyl
AM
Tetraisopalmitate After Water
Oil Solution - and/or
Solution 20% in Solutions
PM
Vitamin F
Azelaic Acid After Water Ideally
Suspension -
Suspension 10% Solutions PM

Water Before AM and

Buffet -
Solution Oils/Creams PM

Caffeine Solution 5% Water Before AM and

-
+ EGCG Solution Oils/Creams PM

Glycolic Acid 7% Water After cleansing, Ideally

-
Toning Solution Solution before serums PM

Last step of
High-Adherence Any
Emulsion skincare as a -
Silicone Primer Time
makeup primer

Last step of
High-Spreadability Anhydrous Any
skincare as a -
Fluid Primer Solution Time
makeup primer

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Water Before AM and

-
B5 Solution Oils/Creams PM

Lactic Acid 10% + HA Water Before Ideally

-
2% Solution Oils/Creams PM

Lactic Acid 5% + HA Water Before Ideally

-
2% Solution Oils/Creams PM

Magnesium Ascorbyl
After Water AM and
Phosphate Solution Emulsion -
Solutions PM
10%

Water Before AM and

Matrixyl 10% + HA -
Solution Oils/Creams PM

Last step of
skincare as a
Natural Moisturizing AM and
Emulsion moisturizer -
Factors + HA PM
(before makeup
primer)

AM
Niacinamide 10% + Water Before
Vitamin C and/or
Zinc 1% Solution Oils/Creams
PM

Before PM
Retinol 1% Emulsion -
Oils/Creams Only

Salicylic Acid 2% Water After cleansing, AM and

-
Solution Solution before creams PM
Vitamin C
After Water Ideally
Suspension 23% + Suspension Niacinamide
Solutions PM
HA Spheres 2%

Vitamin C
After Water Ideally
Suspension 30% in Suspension Niacinamide
Solutions PM
Silicone

Example regimen for pigmentation issues:

AM: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Solution 10%; PM: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% or Advanced Retinoid
2%

Example regimen for dehydration:

AM: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA; PM: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5,
100% Plant-Derived Squalane

Note: If using CAIS from our NIOD brand, it is important that CAIS is applied at least 30 seconds
before the application of the following products from The Ordinary: Lactic Acid 5%/10% + HA
2%, Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, Alpha Lipoic
Acid 5%, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, Retinol 1%, Advanced Retinoid 2%, Salicylic Acid 2%
Solution