Best The Ordinary Products For Sensitive Skin – (Skincare Routine)

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People with sensitive skin are susceptible to irritation on any slightest provocation and for that should be mindful of what they put on their skin as a minor fragrance in a product can flare up acne-breakouts. Therefore if you’ve got sensitive skin, then you’re covered as this content will guide you on how to create a simple skincare routine using specifically The Ordinary products.

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Regardless of your skin type, there must be a provision for you from The Ordinary skincare products, as they’re versatile when it comes to skincare, that’s why they are regarded as one of the best skincare brand in the industry. And considering their products are ridiculously pocket-friendly and contains one-hero ingredient to target specific skin concern makes it a top-notch and most recommended by dermatologists and estheticians. So, if you’ve been seeking for the best The Ordinary products for sensitive skin, then you’re on the right place. 

The Ordinary Products For Sensitive Skin — Morning (AM).

Step 1: Cleanse. 

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

The ordinary Products for dry skin

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Begin your skincare routine with cleansing your skin, to get rid of dirts and oil lingering on the skin, thereby preparing the skin for topical application of your skincare products. For the sake of your skin type, you need a gentle and skin hydrating facial cleanser, and that’s where CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser comes in — a gentle cleanser which helps cleanse the skin without disrupting the skin’s natural protective barrier or stripping the skin of its natural moisture, all thanks to its content in hyaluronic acid and ceramides that work to restore the skin’s natural barrier to help the skin lock in moisture. 

How To Apply.

Squeeze out a reasonable amount (careful not to squeeze out too much) a little goes along way.

Gently massage it on your face for 60 seconds (1 minute), then rinse off.

Step 2: Hydrate.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.

The ordinary skincare routine

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Hyaluronic acid helps replenish skin of lost moisture, as it’s a humectant which pulls moisture from the atmosphere to hydrate skin surface. The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum also combines Vitamin B5 in their formula. Vitamin B5 also called pro-vitamin B5 helps to keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy by deeply hydrating the skin, to keep skin quenched by absorbing moisture from the air. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help stimulate your skin’s healing processes. Read full review here

How To Apply.

Apply 4-5 drops of hyaluronic acid serum while your skin is damp, massage until fully absorbed.

Step 3: Treat.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.

The ordinary skincare routine

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Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and a type of vitamin B3 which helps control excessive oil production, minimize large pores, Improve skin barrier function and improve overall skin tone which is very beneficial for all skin type. Niacinamide also helps build keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier, which can, in turn, helps retain moisture which promote skin surface hydration. 

Even people with sensitive skin can use niacinamide serum as it’s skin-friendly. Also people who struggle with rosacea can use niacinamide too. In fact, it’s often added to rosacea products because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Niacinamide will definitely help soothe and stimulate moisture retention in the skin which helps enhance skin barrier function and reduces redness and blotchiness which is associated with signs of sensitive skin. 

The Ordinary niacinamide serum combines 10% niacinamide with 1% zinc to help minimize excess oil production, purify the pores, thereby getting rid of blemishes and pores congested which in turn enhance skin barrier function, shrink large pores and improve overall skin texture and complexion. Zinc helps treat skin lesions as it offers anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Read full review here

How To Apply.

Apply 3-4 drops on your face, gently massage till fully absorbed. 

Step 4: Moisturize.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.

Best The Ordinary products for oily skin

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Round-off your morning skincare routine with a moisturizer, to keep your skin optimally moisturized all day.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA or NMF for short, is infused with multiple amino acids, in combination with fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and many other compounds that are naturally present in the skin to Intensively moisturize the skin and keep it hydrated, looking youthful and healthy. Read full review here.

How To Apply.

Squeeze out and apply a generous amount of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, massage till fully absorbed.

Step 5: Sunscreen.

The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants.

Best The Ordinary Products for oily skin

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Go ahead and apply your sunscreen to protect your skin from the wicked UV rays of the sun. You wouldn’t want to ruin your skincare-efforts right? Then keep your skin protected. 

The Ordinary Mineral UV Filter (sunscreen) offers SPF protection along with antioxidant, hydration, and anti-irritant support in a lightweight, non-comedogenic silicones formula to offer broad spectrum sun protection, neutralizes free radicals and minimizes the intensity of UV radiation penetrating the skin.

How To Apply.

Endeavor to shake well before use. Squeeze out a reasonable amount and apply to the face liberally and evenly 15 to 20 minutes before UV exposure. To maintain protection during continued UV exposure, reapply every 2 hours or after water exposure, towel-drying, swimming, or extensive perspiration. You can read how to apply sunscreen correctly

After applying your sunscreen, you can go ahead and apply your makeup (if you must).

The Ordinary Products For Sensitive Skin — Evening (PM). 

Step 1: Take Off Your Makeup.

This is a very vital approach during your night time skincare routine. You need to take off your makeup using a makeup remover or makeup remover wipes. If you wore a waterproof makeup, then take it off using a waterproof makeup remover. Taking off your makeup relieves your pores of clogs, dirt and oil (attached to the makeup) along side removal of your sunscreen.

Step 2: Double-cleanse.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.

The Ordinary Skincare Routine

 

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Again, you’ll start-off your skincare routine with cleansing, but this time, you’re not going to cleanse once, but twice, which is called double-cleansing. 

Double cleansing is a practice of cleansing the skin twice, first with an oil-based cleanser, then secondly with a water-based cleanser. The reason for this is to ensure a adequate cleansing, as the oil-based cleanser helps breaks down make-up, oil, sticky-dirt and sunscreen residue applied during the day, while the water-based cleanser helps rinse them all off, mildly exfoliate the skin, unclog pores and also targets acne. 

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a good one for oil cleansing as it contains squalane which is a lightweight and skin-friendly oil which not only helps breakdown stubborn makeup and sunscreen residue, but also hydrates the skin simultaneously.

According to Board certified dermatologist David Lortscher, M.D. said “The benefit of double cleansing is that the first cleanser will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day and clean your skin. The second cleanser will address your particular skin type or concern and should have ingredients to hydrate, smooth or exfoliate and treat acne.”

After oil-cleansing, you should plunge ahead to cleanse the second time with a water-based cleanser. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is still recommended for this purpose. You can as well use your favorite cleanser. 

How To Apply.

Squeeze out a reasonable amount of the oil-cleanser (careful not to squeeze out too much) a little goes along way.

Gently massage it on your face for two (2) minutes, then rinse off. After that, proceed to your water-based cleanser. 

Step 3: Hydrate.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.

Best hyaluronic acid serum

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After cleansing, you need to hydrate your skin to replenish it of lost moisture and prep it for the application of other skincare topicals. 

How To Apply.

After cleansing, while your skin is damp, apply 4-5 drops of hyaluronic acid serum, gently massage till fully absorbed. 

Step 4: Treat.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.

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Retinol is very beneficial for all skin types, as when applied to the skin, it stimulates cell turnover which plumps out skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, encourages new cells growth which in turn treats acne, unclog pores (allowing your pores to breath) and improves overall skin texture, with a youthful glow.

While retinol works well on many skin types, retinol can be particularly tricky on sensitive skin. It’s effective, but it’s also potentially irritating to the skin. But don’t fret—even sensitive skin types can use retinol, all you need to do is ease into retinol slowly. Start by applying it once or twice per week and slowly advance as skin tolerates. 

As your skin builds tolerance to retinol, you can gradually increase your retinol usage to thrice weekly and gradually extend it to every-other-day application, while you take careful cognizance of how your skin reacts to every adjustments. If your skin reacts negatively when you increase retinol days-of-usage, cut back to the previous days of application approach. Read how to use retinol without irritation

The Ordinary retinol serum combines retinol in squalane. Squalane is a plant derived or hydrogenated oil which is used in its pure form or in cosmetic formulations for moisturizing, hydrating and soothing the skin (which is the same ingredient in The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser). Read full review here. 

How To Apply. 

Apply 3-4 drops of the retinol serum on your face and gently massage till fully absorbed. 

Step 5: Moisturize.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.

Best The Ordinary products for oily skin

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Then you seal in with a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated all night. You wouldn’t want to wake up with a dehydrated skin right? So do the needful. 

How To Apply. 

Squeeze out and apply a generous amount, massage till fully absorbed. 

Step 6: Nourish & Hydrate.

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane. 

Best The Ordinary products for dry skin

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Round-off your evening skincare routine with an extra layer of hydration and nourishment to keep the skin hydrated, nourished and happy. 

Squalane is a plant derived or hydrogenated oil which is used in its pure form or in cosmetic formulations for moisturizing, hydrating and soothing the skin.

Traditionally, squalene (with an “e“) is derived from shark liver oil — yes, the shark you know (the ocean animal), it is also present in human skin, it is a lipid fat, that is naturally produced by the oil glands in our skin to hydrate and maintain the barrier of our skin. But because sourcing began endangering the shark species, plant derived version of squalene was discovered, which is squalane (with an “a“).

Squalane oil mimics our natural skin oil, which means when it’s applied on the skin, the skin recognizes it and takes it as its own, our skin understands and compliments it. So, if you’re scared or worried that squalane is going to break you out, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, because that is never going to happen. Squalane oil is non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and is suitable for use on all skin types. It has excellent emollient properties, meaning it can keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.

It exhibits excellent emollient potential and a great moisturizer as it easily absorbs and prevents water loss from the skin. One of the reasons why squalane is a great moisturizer and penetrates deep into the skin is because our skin recognizes it instantly and takes it in as one of its own.

How To Apply.

Apply 3-4 (or more) on your skin, gently massage till fully absorbed. 

Weekly Skincare Routine. 

Exfoliate.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Mandelic acid for skin

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Mandelic acid is an AHA, a derivative of bitter almonds. It has a larger molecular weight. The molecular weight of mandelic acid is 152.1 daltons, which is larger than other alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid is 76.0 daltons, for example).

Mandelic acid is regarded as the most gentle and mild acid of all alpha hydroxy acids, which makes it most recommended to people with sensitive skin (just like lactic acid), but mandelic acid is the most mildest.  

Its large molecular size makes it gentle on the skin, as it doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin, rather, it offers skin-surface mild exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells (sitting on skin surface) and also fades some forms of hyperpigmentation, treats inflammatory acne and minimize skin aging-signs, thereby improving skin texture and complexion. 

The Ordinary mandelic acid formula couples 10% mandelic acid with hyaluronic acid for surface hydration, and tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract, to calm and sooth irritation associated with acid-use. Read full review here.

How To Apply.

Apply 3-4 drops of the product on a well cleansed skin, massage till fully absorbed. Then seal in with a moisturizer. 

We advice you should apply mandelic acid serum thrice weekly, at night-time only, and it should be applied only on the days you won’t be applying The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. 

In Conclusion. 

This comes to the conclusion of the best The Ordinary products for sensitive skin. 

As mentioned earlier, The Ordinary brand is versatile when it comes to skincare products suitable for specific skin types and coupled with their product having a single-active ingredient to target specific skin concern makes their products easy to incorporate into a skincare routine. All you need to do is make your research, find what suits and works for your skin, seek advice from your dermatologist and do a patch test prior to application. Also don’t forget to wear your sunscreen every blessed day. 

Possible Questions & Answers.

Q: Can I get irritation while using any of these products?

A: Our skin is susceptible to irritation when we use products that it doesn’t like (or doesn’t suit it). Therefore, we have to always use products that are suitable to our skin and use them as directed by the producers. However should incase you notice quite some abnormalities on your skin while using any of these products, check to see if you’re doing something wrong, are you using too much? Is the product percentage (or concentration) too much for you, are you over-exfoliating?. 

Well, as far as you strictly followed the skincare-routine-guidelines mentioned above, you won’t have a problem with your skin, except you may be using a higher concentration or using too much. 

If it’s a higher concentration, (example: Niacinamide 10%) you can find another brand of niacinamide with 2-5%. There has been cases of high concentration of niacinamide causing skin flushing, skin discomfort (tingling sensation) and redness. If you think you’re using a product too much, cut down to using it every-other-day or thrice weekly. 

You can as well buffer by applying a thick moisturizer first, before applying the product, or make a small mixture of the product and your moisturizer in the palm of your hand first, to dilute the product potency, before applying. That way you can reap the product’s benefits without irritation.

If you’ve done all these and irritations/breakouts still occurs, then stop all products application or usage, and start the routine all over, this time, start by introducing your skincare products to your skin one-by-one weekly. This will let you find out which product is really causing the breakouts or irritation, so you can single it out. Thank Goodness The Ordinary brand products contains one-active ingredient, this will make the fishing-out easier. 

Also don’t forget to wear your sunscreen during the day. It’s very important. 

Q: Can I use The Ordinary skincare products on a open cut?

A: No. Don’t use any skincare product on a broken skin such as open wound, little cut, abrasion or open acne wound (which was popped) allow these cuts to heal and close before applying any skincare treatment over it, else it will sting like hell which will cause serious discomfort. Trust me, your skin will hate you for it. 

Q: Is double-cleansing really necessary?

A: Double cleansing isn’t a necessity for everyone, but certain skin types may find it to be more beneficial than others. It depends primarily on your skin type and the type of makeup you wear. Take people with oily & senstive skin as an example. Two gentle formulas are generally a better way to combat excess oil than one strong formula that could leave skin feeling too dry and irritated.

So, if you think double cleansing isn’t for you, then skip it and cleanse once instead using a water-based cleanser. But ensure you take-off your makeup first, using the appropriate makeup remover before cleansing your face.

UP NEXT: Got A Dry Skin? Then These The Ordinary Products Will Address Your Skin Concern

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