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Right from the onset, I have been a die-hard fan of The Ordinary skincare products, I have been using their products for a very long time and will continue using them as long as they exist. Not only that their skincare products are qualitative and effective but also at a pocket-friendly price, making it suitable and friendly for everyone’s budget.
Sometimes I wonder why their product are so cheap and also deliver potentials as promised, well, I have nothing to say but to thank them very much for their availability and good works in the skincare industry.
About The Ordinary Brand.
Deciem is a parent company of The Ordinary brand which is based in Canada. This brand had been known with their quality products (skincare line) with ridiculous affordable prices. We always term The Ordinary as a brand that broke the record of balancing the equation between inexpensive and quality skincare products.
I have decided to build a standard AM & PM skincare routine for myself, using only The Ordinary products from A-Z. I have an oily and sensitive skin, so, I’m pretty much cautious on products i use on my skin to avoid pore clog and acne breakouts. Without much ado, below is my structured skincare routine using solely The Ordinary skincare line.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Night-Time.
Step 1: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.
To start off my The Ordinary skincare routine, I cleanse with their squalane cleanser. You may be asking what the hell is squalane. I’ll put you through.
Squalane is a lipid fat, that is naturally produced by the oil glands in our skin to hydrate and maintain the barrier of our skin. Squalane oil mimicks 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), it has excellent emollient properties, meaning it can keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
The Ordinary squalane cleanser combines squalane, alongside other lipophilic esters that are gentle and moisturizing, they efficiently and effectively break down and dissolve make-up, alongside excessive sebum (oil) on the skin. Leaving the skin deeply and mildly cleansed without stripping off moisture barrier or natural oil.
The Ordinary squalane cleanser is an oil-based facial cleanser, as regards to a standard skincare routine , I double cleanse using oil and water-based facial cleanser to ensure I get rid of all impurities off my skin. If you wear makeup, ensure you double cleanse, the first cleanser being an oil-based cleanser will breakdown and dissolve your makeup while the second cleanser being a water-based cleanser will mildly exfoliate and cleanse your pores and also address acne issues. But if you’re not a fan of that, you should take off your makeup first using a makeup wipe, then cleanse once using a facial cleanser suitable to your skin type.
As for me, after cleansing with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, I cleanse again with CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid which mildly exfoliates, target and treat acne and maskne alongside other prominent ingredients like; three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, to also help hydrate, soften and smoothen the skin without disrupting its protective barrier or making skin feel dry.
How I Apply It.
I squeeze out a reasonable amount (careful not to squeeze out too much) a little goes along way.
I massage it on my face for 2 minutes, then I rinse off. After that, I proceed to my water-based cleanser (CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser).
Step 2: The Ordinary Glycolic 7% Toning Solution.
After cleansing, I pat my face with a clean face towel, (I don’t wipe my face dry) I leave it damp or moist, then I quickly saturate my cotton pad with glycolic acid toner and swipe it across my face and neck (avoiding my eye area).
Glycolic acid being an AHA helps exfoliates the skin, due to its small molecular size in weight it deeply penetrate into the skin to get rid of congested pore-clogging impurities and keep the pores clean thereby creating a passage for your skincare products to sink in better. It also improves skin tone, minimizes large pores, target texture irregularities and improve overall skincare texture. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I saturate or wet my cotton pad with the glycolic formula and gently wipe it on my face and neck. I do very well to avoid my eye area. (You wouldn’t want an acid to get into your eyes).
Step 3: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.
While my face is still damp or moist I quickly apply hyaluronic acid serum because of the fact that hyaluronic acid works best when on a damp or moist skin to retain moisture and supply hydration by pulling moisture from the atmosphere into your skin.
The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum combines 2% Hyaluronic Acid + B5. Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin. As a water-soluble vitamin it helps keep skin soft, smooth and healthy. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help stimulate your skin’s healing processes and deeply hydrates the skin by quenching the skin’s thirst of hydration through absorbing moisture from the air. In combination with hyaluronic acid which is also a “moisture magnet” that draws moisture from the atmosphere into the skin makes this hyaluronic acid serum an instant and intense skin hydrator. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I apply 4-5 drops, I use generous amount, I don’t minimize when it comes to hydration, I mean, why deprive your skin of its drink? Apply adequate amount of hyaluronic acid (but not necessarily too much) and your skin is going to thank you for it.
Step 4: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + 1% Zinc.
Niacinamide helps control excessive oil production, minimize large pores, improve skin barrier function and enhance overall skin tone which is very beneficial for all skin type but mostly for individuals with oily skin (like myself). Individuals with oily skin are very much susceptible to acne breakouts due to excessive oil (sebum) production which can lead to clogged pores, so to regulate oil production you have to incorporate niacinamide into your routine.
The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc formula combines 10% Niacinamide which reduces excessive oil production, redness, minimize large visible-pores, clears blemishes and treats acne alongside zinc which helps calms redness too and regulates sebum. This formula has been my holy grail and my go-to skincare product and it will never be omitted in my skincare routine, it’s here to stay forever ?.
With this product, my skin feels sooooo smooth, my pores are drastically reduced, excessive oil production was absolutely under control, my complexion was improved and my tiny acne is a thing of the past. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I apply 2-3 drops on my entire face every night immediately after cleansing. I apply this both morning and night, but you can choose to use at night-time only.
Note: If you’re new to niacinamide, your skin might purge that’s absolutely normal. Purging is a purification phase whereby all the congestion deep inside your pores surfaces thereby making your existing acne breakouts worse or causing breakouts to appear or occur on your normal breakout occuring area. This will definitely clear up as you keep administering the treatment as the skin is undergoing detoxification stage, so don’t freak out. You can read more about skin purging.
Step 5: The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.
Arbutin is naturally derived from bearberry plant, it’s also found in cranberries, blueberries, wheat, and pears. Arbutin prevents the formation of melanin, as it functions as a tyrosinase inhibitor to provide skin lightening and brightening effects.
I use it to treat or brighten dark spots, acne marks and fade my melasma (above my upper lips), so far so good it has been doing a marvelous work as it enhances my skin radiance, giving me a beautiful clearer skin tone. Sometimes I alternate this product with The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%, a combination of two potent ingredients at appropriate concentration (vitamin C & Alpha Arbutin) which also helps brightens my skin tone, tackles hyperpigmentations such as dark spot, melasma and uneven skin tone. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I apply 2-3 drops on my entire face and neck, I also apply more on my problematic areas (where I have dark spots and melasma).
Step 5: The Ordinary 1% Retinol Serum.
Retinol isn’t something that should be exempted in your skincare routine, this vitamin A derivative keeps your skin’s elasticity and wellbeing in shape by slowing down aging-signs such as wrinkles and fine lines, boost collagen production, accelerate cell turnover and regeneration thereby treating existing and preventing occurrence of new acne breakouts.
Retinol helps treat and keep my acne breakouts under control, make my skin firm as it stimulates collagen production and enhance cell turnover and regeneration, this in turn improves my skin elasticity and tone, I have been using retinol for a very long time. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I apply only 4 drops on my entire face and neck every night (1 drop on my forehead, 1 drop on my nose, and 1 drop each on both cheeks).
My skin can handle it because I’m not new to retinol (and retinoids). However, if you’re new to retinol it’s highly advised to ease your way into using it.
If you feel your skin can’t handle 1% retinol, you can start from the lower strength. The Ordinary has provision for that, which is, The Ordinary 0.2% Retinol in Squalane, gradually as your skin builds tolerance to retinol you can increase to The Ordinary 0.5% Retinol in Squalane. If you feel the need to upgrade to the 1% strength, then you can go ahead so far as your skin can take it.
Which ever one your purchase, during application start by applying 2-3 drops on your entire face and neck, once or twice weekly, then gradually work your way up to every other day and everyday when your skin must have built tolerance to retinol. You can as well gradually move your way up to applying 4 drops when your skin must have fully get accustomed to it.
Although this 1% retinol formula is stuffed up with other skin moisturizing and hydrating ingredients to reduce the occurrence of irritations, ingredients such as; squalane, jojoba seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and tomato fruit extract which works in hand to moisturize and hydrate the skin, not only do they help potentiate the effectiveness of retinol, but also help reduce potential irritations. You can read how to prevent retinol irritation.
Step 7: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.
I sometimes alternate this with retinol at night-time only. Example: I apply retinol this night, then I apply azelaic acid the next night. But I use retinol more often than azelaic acid. I mostly include azelaic acid when I have a serious acne breakouts to attend to.
This formula is the beast when it comes getting rid of acne, and improving overall skin tone and texture. It targets acne and also helps brightens the skin complexion and enhancing radiance. In my comparison review with this formula and that of the Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid, i tested both brands efficacy and both proved their potentials. Read full comparison review here.
How I Apply It.
I apply a 2 pea-size amount of this product on my entire face and neck. And sometimes apply more on my problematic areas (where I tend to breakout more).
Step 8: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil.
Rosehip oil also known as rosehip seed oil, is derived from the rosa canina rose bush, which is grown mostly in Chile. Rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant. It’s referred as a “dry oil” which means it’s light-weight and sinks into the skin faster. 100% cold pressed rosehip oil contains vitamin C and vitamin A. It also contains essential fatty acids such as: oleic acid, palmitic acid, inoleic acid, gamma linolenic acid.
Aside hydrating and nourishing the skin, rosehip oil contains vitamin A content (retinol) which helps minimizes anti-aging signs such as crow’s feet, wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating collagen production. It also brighten the skin, which helps addresses issues of skin hyperpigmentation and discoloration all thanks to its vitamin C content.
Note: I use rosehip oil and retinol in the same routine without issues because I’m a long-time acid and retinoid user (my skin has built tolerance to retinoids and acids). However those with sensitive or dry skin can easily get irritated, as this combo may be too much for them. Therefore, if you find yourself in any of these category, please use only either one of the two (either retinol or rosehip oil).
If you’re too sensitive to retinol, then rosehip oil is a better alternative to reap anti-aging benefits due to the fact it’s more milder and also super hydrating.
The Ordinary’s rosehip oil is 100% cold-pressed, pure and organic. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I simply apply 2-3 drops on my face and massage till fully absorbed, then move over to my moisturizer. Sometimes I make a mix — 2-3 drops of rosehip oil with 2-3 pumps of my moisturizer in the palm of my hand prior to application.
Step 9: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
A non-greasy and intensively hydrating moisturizer which contains powerhouse of skin hydrating humectants and emollients to supply intense moisture to the skin without leaving a greasy residue or feeling behind, ingredients such as multiple amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid, are stuffed in this product to offer your skin with intense hydration. Read full review here.
How I Apply It.
I squeeze out a reasonable amount and apply on my entire face and neck untill fully absorbed. Sometimes I mix with rosehip oil in the palm of my hand and apply for extra hydration.
Also Read: You Have An Oily Skin? Then This Skincare Routine Will Come To Your Rescue.
The Ordinary Skincare Routine: Day-Time.
Step 1: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser.
In the morning, I simply cleanse my skin using CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. I don’t use the The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser in the morning, I only use at night to help breakdown excessive oil accumulated throughout the day. You can use your favorite cleanser during your morning skincare routine, no need to double cleanse.
Step 2: The Ordinary 2% Hyaluronic Acid + B5.
After cleansing, I pat my face with a clean face towel (I don’t towel off completely) while my skin is still damp or moist, I smear 4-5 drops of hyaluronic acid serum on my face and gently massage till fully absorbed.
Step 3: The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc.
When hyaluronic acid has fully absorbed, I follow up with my niacinamide serum, applying 2-3 drops (3 drops mostly) with a gentle massage till fully absorbed.
Step 4: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
Then I follow up with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for adequate moisturization and to keep the skin protected from environmental aggressors for the day.
Step 5: Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50.
Of course I can never forget my sunscreen, as soon as my moisturizer has fully absorbed, I simply follow up with my sunscreen, gently applying a little and smearing it on my face with a gentle massage to protect my skin from the dangerous UV rays of the sun.
In Conclusion.
So far so good, these skincare routine has been doing so good for my skin, by controlling my oily skin (preventing excessive oil production), reducing my enlarged pore size, keeping inflammatory acne under control, minimize fine lines, adequately hydrate my skin and improve my overall skin texture and tone. This skincare routine tackles and treats all-round major skin concerns such as aging-signs, dull skin tone and acne breakouts.
So, if you have oily or combination skin, you can give this skincare routine a shot, of course individuals with dry, sensitive and normal skin can also employ this skincare routine. Just ensure you apply enough moisturizer and don’t forget to wear a sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from UV rays of the sun. You wouldn’t want to ruin your skincare-efforts right?, I hope not. And oh, don’t forget to do a patch test prior to commencing any skincare treatment.
UP NEXT: You’ve Gat Dry Skin? This Skincare Routine Is All You Need.
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