Complete The Ordinary Skincare Guide for Beginners

When taking care of your skin, it’s important to stick to the basics. A skincare routine that is too complicated can cost a lot of money and cause skin irritation and other problems. Suppose you are looking for the skin care products that are now most in demand. In that case, your search is over. The Ordinary is a skincare company that has greatly shaken the beauty market because its products are both very effective and cheap.

This non-traditional approach has a skincare wardrobe that is anything but traditional. It comes in a small amount of packaging and has clear information about what it is made of and how it works. Even though they may be easy to understand, their scientific product names and the percentages that describe their strengths can be confusing, especially if you are unfamiliar with the brand.

The Ordinary is a line of skincare products that do not test on animals and are known for their uncomplicated, no-frills approach to skincare and extremely low prices. So, in this essay about The Ordinary skincare routines for beginners, we’ll look at a few simple alternatives to The Ordinary products that you can add to your routine.

What is The Ordinary Skincare?

The Ordinary is a well-known line of skin care products that are liked because they are simple and don’t try to do too much. They mix a lot of clinically proven ingredients to make remedies for your skin that are not only effective but also cheap. The range of products that the brand sells includes serums, moisturizers, and acids, among other skin-care products. The products sold by The Ordinary do not include any of the following harmful ingredients: parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, methylchloroisothiazolinone, animal oils, coal tar colors, formaldehyde, mercury, or oxybenzone. They do not test on animals, and the company is known for being transparent in its labeling and providing information about the ingredients.

Some skin problems that can be fixed with products from The Ordinary’s cosmetics line are acne, aging, uneven pigmentation, and dry skin. They have different ways to treat these problems, such as serums with a lot of vitamin C, retinoids, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. The company is known for the clear labels on its products and the information it gives about what’s in them.

Transparency

The straightforward nature of The Ordinary’s offerings is one of the brand’s strongest points. Instead of focusing on flashy branding and flashier packaging, these goods put the contents of the jar front and center by being transparent about what’s within.

For instance, the retinol concentration in The Ordinary skincare products is clearly labeled on the bottle (for example, 0.5% or 1%). On the other hand, retinol may just be listed as an ingredient in other skin care products instead of being explained in more detail. This could mean that the product doesn’t have enough retinol to work or that it has too much retinol and will hurt if used often.

Affordability

Because they prioritize the quality of their ingredients over fancy packaging, The Ordinary is one of the most reasonably priced skincare lines on the market. Most of their items cost between £5 and £7. However, this is normal for a single-ingredient product like a bottle of salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. If you want to use a lot of compounds in your skincare, there may be cheaper alternatives.

For instance, a salicylic and glycolic acid cleanser by Nip + Fab costs £19 at full price but can be purchased for as little as £10 online, so using this may cost less in the long run. Despite this, The Ordinary is much more affordable than other skincare companies.

Tips for Using The Ordinary

When purchasing new items from The Ordinary, keep the following in mind:

When using a new substance, start with a lower concentration until your skin adjusts, then increase it.
Applying something new to your face without testing it on a small area is bad. If I’m worried about a reaction, I put a drop on the inside of my wrist or upper arm and wait a few hours or a day to see if it goes away.
If The Ordinary says you shouldn’t layer two items, take their word. Even though two ingredients may be used together in one product, you may not be able to use certain items together because of how powerful The Ordinary’s serums are.
Do not continue using a substance that irritates you.
Unless your product is also a cleanser, you should always wash your face before putting anything else on your skin.
Lips and under-eye skin are especially sensitive to harsh skincare treatments like acid peels and should be protected with a small layer of Vaseline before application.

Guide To The Ordinary Products

The Ordinary Products offers a diverse range of high-quality, clinical skin care products to address any skin problem or type. Everything from oily to dry to mature skin can be found here.

That being said, we get it. Getting started is challenging, and the clinical-looking bottles and labeling may put you off. Please take a deep breath and grab an Oatly latte because we’re going to break down “the ordinary.”

There’s one more thing to mention before we dive into the analysis. Anyone can enjoy The Ordinary, but not everyone will. A skincare routine can be made from commonplace products, but that’s different from where you should focus first. Start simple and fill in the gaps with products from the Ordinary line as you go.

These are the Acids:

Solution for peeling with AHA 30% and BHA 2%

This is one of The Ordinary’s most popular products. The peeling solution removes the top layer of skin to smooth and brighten the skin’s surface. The AHA in the product does the exfoliating, while the BHA helps clear out any clogged pores.

With 30% AHA (glycolic, citric, lactic, and tartaric) and 2% BHA (salicylic), this peel is much stronger than most other products you can buy. If your skin is sensitive, you should skip this one. Even if your skin can handle it, you must be careful. For this product, a patch test is an absolute must.

You can put the solution on your face directly or put some on your fingers and rub it into your skin (avoiding the eye area). Put this on with gloves or a cotton pad so that the solution doesn’t get on your hands, and take off skin there too. The solution should stay for no more than ten minutes before being washed away.

After you use this product, don’t use other serums, toners, etc., especially anything from The Ordinary that has vitamin C, retinol, or other acids. Since this peel takes off the top layer of skin, you’ll be more likely to get sunburned, so it’s very important to use sunscreen after using this product. It would be best if you only used this peel once a week.

Toning Solution with 7% Glycolic Acid

This toning solution also works as a gentle exfoliant, which helps your skin look healthier and clearer. Glycolic acid is AHA that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. It would be best if you used the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution in the evening.

10% lactic acid and 2% HA

Lactic acid is another AHA that can remove dead skin, lighten the skin, and make acne scars less noticeable. Some people’s skin can’t handle too much acid, but this product could be better for many people because it also has Tasmanian pepper berry, which helps reduce inflammation. This could make up for any irritation that the acid causes.

Lactic acid (10% + HA 2%) contains hyaluronic acid, which helps with moisture retention. It should be worn at night.

The 2% Solution of Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a BHA, which helps clear the skin and unclog pores. It gets rid of blackheads and keeps your skin from getting clogged up. This is the best thing for people with oily skin. It removes dead skin, dirt, and clogs, and the witch hazel calms any redness or irritation.

You can use it on your face daily to keep it clear, or use it on spots as needed.

These are the Molecules:

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

My favorite The Ordinary product is Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. It works well for all skin types, but it works especially well for people with oily skin, large pores, or problems with congestion. The serum aids in reducing and controlling the amount of sebum produced by your skin. This makes your pores and shines less noticeable. You’ll also have a clearer face with fewer spots and a more even skin tone.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is safe to use after cleansing but before applying oils and moisturizers in the morning and evening. The Ordinary says you shouldn’t use their vitamin C products with this one. If you want to add vitamin C to your skincare routine, skip Niacinamide in the morning and use vitamin C instead. In the evening, you can use Niacinamide without vitamin C.

Suppose you want to use them both simultaneously. In that case, the best choice is their Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution of 20% Vitamin F. You should put on the Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate first, let it soak in and dry completely, and then put on the ordinary niacinamide. If your skin starts to react, wash your face with water and only use one of these products at a time.

The Ordinary Niacinamide can help in several ways:

Niacinamide can help reduce the look of pores and improve the skin’s overall texture.
It can help improve the skin’s elasticity, making it look fuller and younger.
It can help reduce wrinkles, making the skin look younger.
It can help stop sebum from being made, which can make acne look less bad.

How Niacinamide is Usually Taken and What It Does:

Niacinamide is often found at 2–5% in skin care products. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is made up of 10% Niacinamide and 1% Zinc. It’s best to use it in the morning and evening after washing your face.
Niacinamide is thought to be safe and well-tolerated by most people. As with any skin care product, some people may have bad reactions to it.

Here are some things that could go wrong:

Mild irritation or itching of the skin: When using products with Niacinamide, some people may experience mild irritation or itching of the skin.
Breakouts: People with oily or acne-prone skin may get breakouts from niacinamide.
Flushing: It is a common side effect of niacinamide, which means that the skin feels warm.

Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

The Caffeine Solution 5% is for people with dark circles or puffiness under their eyes. It contains 5% concentrated caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG), a green tea antioxidant. Together, these ingredients work to reduce dark circles and puffiness.

Like most eye products, you massage a drop of this into the area around your eyes in the morning and evening.

Alpha Arbutin 2% plus HA

Alpha arbutin is an ingredient that can stop melanin from being made, which makes skin lighter in a safe way. It should eliminate any dark spots on your skin, like age spots, hyperpigmentation, scars, and marks.

This formula also has hyaluronic acid, which helps keep the skin hydrated and makes it easier for the alpha arbutin to get deeper into the skin. You can use it in the morning or at night.

These are the Hydrators:

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Hyaluronic acid is great for all skin and keeps it very moist. As a water-based serum, it helps keep your skin moist and hydrated without making it oily. Because of this, it is great for both dry and oily skin.

Hyaluronic acid makes skin look smoother and softer by making it plumper. The vitamin B5 in this product also helps dry or damaged skin heal and improve.

It can be used as a serum in the morning and at night and works well with most other skin-care products. Hyaluronic acid does not remove dead skin so that you can use more than one product daily.

100% Plant-Derived Squalane

Squalane is good for all skin types and helps make it soft and smooth. It helps the skin stay hydrated and keeps it from losing moisture without being greasy. Some of The Ordinary’s products have 100% plant-derived squalane to add extra moisture.

Cleanser

Squalane Cleanser

The squalane cleanser is made of oil and helps clear out pores. It comes out as a balm when you squeeze it, but when you put it in your hands, it melts into a cleanser. It helps break down makeup, oil, and dirt on the face so that your skin can be cleaned well.

It is a gentle cleanser that makes skin soft and keeps it from drying. The squalane cleanser can be used on all skin types, and since it doesn’t contain soap, it can be especially good for sensitive skin.

Peptides

“Buffet”

“Buffet” is one of the few products whose name doesn’t clarify what’s in it. As the name might suggest, it’s a mix of different anti-aging ingredients. It has hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moist, Matrixyl 3000 to make collagen, and 11 amino acids that help keep the skin smooth and young. These ingredients work together to help the skin get fuller, which makes fine lines less noticeable.

It can be used in the morning and evening, but it shouldn’t be mixed with acids or vitamin C products.

Retinoids

Retinol in Squalane (1%, 0.5% or 0.2%)

Retinol is a form of vit A that can help make skin look younger by smoothing out lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, and making skin softer.

Retinol is one of the products most likely to irritate, and many people find that it makes their skin red or peel. But some people think the benefits of retinol make this worth it. The more you use it, the more your skin gets used to it. This makes it worth it in the long run. If you want to start using retinol as part of your skincare routine, you should start with the weakest strength (0.2%); then, if your skin needs it, you can slowly work your way up to a higher strength.

It’s not as scary as it sounds! I use Retinol 1% in my skincare routine, which is safe and good for my skin. Make sure to do a patch test and start with lower percentages to see if it works for you.
It would help if you only used retinoids when caring for your skin at night. After using retinol, you should always wear sun protection the next morning because it makes your skin much more sensitive to UV radiation.

2% or 5% Granactive Retinoid in Squalance

(2% or 5%) Granactive Retinoid in Squalane

This version of retinoid is still strong but doesn’t cause as much irritation. Granactive retinoid in squalane helps to smooth out lines and fix pigmentation problems.

Use this at night, and remember to put on sunscreen in the morning because retinoids make the skin more sensitive to UV light.

Vitamin C

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a form of vitamin C that can be used at higher doses than other forms of vitamin C. Despite its strength, it is gentle on the skin and can help prevent pigmentation and make it brighter. This product’s vitamin F also helps to give the skin the fatty acids it needs.

This can be used in the morning and at night, but The Ordinary recommends not combining it with their AHA+BHA peel or Niacinamide powder.

Moisturiser

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

This non-greasy moisturizer is great for most skin types because it contains Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) that protect and hydrate the skin. NMFs come from fatty acids, ceramides, hyaluronic, and amino acids.

This light cream works well when put on top of serums.

Antioxidants

Having perfect-looking skin is sometimes different from having healthy skin. If your skin looks fresh and plump, take antioxidants. The Ordinary has three antioxidant serums to fight free radicals and other possible skin irritants:

5% Pycnogenol
3% Resveratrol + 3% Ferulic Acid

Antioxidants are important to your skincare routine because they can fix and stop damage caused by free radicals. Damage from free radicals, like UV radiation, can make your skin age faster, red and irritated, and cause collagen to break down, making your skin loose. By putting on an antioxidant, you can protect your skin’s ability to bounce back from UV damage and keep it looking young.

Suncare

Proper sun care is important to protect your skin’s health, cut down on acne and inflammation, limit sun damage, and shield your skin from UV rays that could be harmful.

Because most acids don’t work well in the sun, you need a good sunscreen if you use acids and skin actives in your skincare routine. The Ordinary does not have sunscreen.

Rules to Follow in Your Skin Care Routine:

To develop your skincare routine, you need to follow a few rules. For example, you should use water-based formulas before oil-based formulas. This is because the skin barrier takes in water and locks it in with oil.

But it’s better to use serums in any order than not.

Know what time it is day and night

This rule is especially important if you use direct acids and antioxidants, which should only be used at night. Because of what the serum is meant to do, it’s also important to use it at the right time of day.

For example, to protect against UV damage, vitamin C should be given during the day.
The only time to use retinoids is at night.

Understand Your Usage Order

A cleanser, treatment, moisturizer, sunscreen, and an extra serum at night are all part of a basic skincare routine. If you use your products in the right order and wait a few minutes between each step, your skin can fully absorb each one.

Understand Your Serums

You should use three serums in your daytime or nighttime skincare routine. Using the “less is more” philosophy, you can customize your serums and use different ones during the day and at night to treat different skin conditions.

In general, you go from a low pH to a high pH and from watery to oily.
Only some people know a serum’s pH and whether it is made of water or oil. If you’re like me, you’ll find that all of The Ordinary’s serums have the same texture.
I also have to remember what the pH of the ordinary serum is. What do I need to do? Start your serum with the skin problem or change you want to see first.
If your main worry is hyperpigmentation, start with niacinamide. If you want to get rid of acne, start with retinol.
Hyaluronic serums should always be put on last as a topcoat to keep everything in place and act as a barrier.

Company

The Ordinary is a skincare brand recognized for its simple, no-frills approach to skincare. The company owns the brand Deciem, founded in 2013 by Canadian entrepreneur Brandon Truaxe. The company began in 2016 to provide people with access to premium skincare products at reasonable prices.

The Ordinary combines effective ingredients from clinical trials to make affordable skincare products. This line includes serums, moisturizers, acids, and much more for your daily skincare routine. The products don’t include harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, or oxybenzone. The business also adheres to a strict vegan and no-animal testing policy.

Some skin problems that can be fixed with products from The Ordinary are acne, aging too quickly, uneven skin tone, and dry skin. Several of their products, like vitamin C serums, retinol creams, glycolic acid, and lactic acid peels, are meant to fix these problems. The company has made a name for itself by being transparent about what goes into its products.

Passion for the Organization

Standard skincare products use high concentrations of effective ingredients in clinical studies to create effective treatments at an affordable price. The company wants to make skincare affordable for everyone by eliminating packaging, advertising, and branding, which is optional.

The Ordinary sells high-quality skin care products, but they also use their website and social media to tell and teach their customers about their products. Customers get more out of the products when they know how to use them most effectively to treat skin problems.

Motive

The Ordinary’s skin care products are made to be affordable for all types of people. This is possible because the goods are made with high concentrations of scientifically proven ingredients, and the costs of packaging, advertising, and branding are kept to a minimum.

Products from The Ordinary are designed to treat a wide variety of skin issues, and the company provides a wide range of options. Products are labeled clearly, and clients are given information about the contents to make informed decisions about treating their skin problems.

The Ordinary’s goal is to give everyone access to high-quality skin care products at affordable prices without sacrificing ethics or the environment.

Price

The prices of The Ordinary’s skincare items range from $1.50 to $70, depending on the size and type of item you’re looking for. Most items by the label may be purchased for between $5 and $15, earning the brand a reputation for being inexpensive. They offer a wide variety of solutions for various skin conditions and types.

For just $7 a bottle, you can get one of The Ordinary’s single-ingredient treatments, like their 100% plant-derived squalane. Their “Buffet” peptide serum comes in a 30-milliliter vial and costs around $14.5.
But the more advanced formulas from the Ordinary, like their “Amino Acids & B5” hydration support formula, are usually the most expensive (about $14 for a 30 ml bottle). A similar product, “Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%,” retails for around $5.90 for a 30 mL bottle.
The Ordinary’s pricing varies by region, product availability, and other factors.

Reasons why ordinary skincare products are less expensive but have more benefits:

The Ordinary’s skincare products are significantly more cost-effective than those of many other skincare brands, and there are several reasons for this:

The Ordinary can keep its prices low with minimal branding, packaging, and marketing. By cutting back on unnecessary costs like flashy marketing and packaging and focusing instead on the quality and effectiveness of their products, they can pass the savings on to their customers.
The company uses high doses of ingredients with solid clinical evidence supporting its product usage. Since customers don’t have to buy as much of a product to feel its effects, pricing can be kept low.
The Ordinary is a product line of the privately funded company Deciem, which does not need shareholders or investors. Since they are just concerned with earning a profit for themselves, they can offer very reasonable prices.
Customers benefit from The Ordinary’s transparency regarding product ingredients and usage since it allows them to understand better and apply the items. This guidance not only helps customers get better results but also helps them save money in the long run.
Since they emphasize using only the highest quality ingredients while keeping things as simple and transparent as possible and cutting out any unnecessary middlemen, The Ordinary’s skincare products are significantly cheaper than many other brands while providing the same or even better results.

Conclusion:

The Ordinary is a budget-friendly skincare line that places more value on the effectiveness of the ingredients than on flashy packaging. In most cases, their prices are reasonable for everyone. But this is typically just the case for single-ingredient products like salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. You should look into other options if you want to use many different things in your skincare routine. When compared to other skincare brands, The Ordinary is still quite inexpensive.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s put together a morning and nightly skincare program with products from The Ordinary. Pick the basic routine if you want ease, or incorporate a serum if you have more complex skin concerns.