The Ultimate, Customisable The Ordinary Skincare Routine (2025 Guide)

Your skin is not generic. Your routine shouldn’t be either. With over 50 products available, The Ordinary has become the go-to skincare brand for those who want results without luxury price tags. But with this much choice, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you start with niacinamide? Is the red peeling solution safe? And what on earth do you layer first?

This guide is your one-stop resource to build a customised The Ordinary skincare routine that works for your skin type, your lifestyle, and your goals. We’ll cover everything — from skin type basics, layering, product conflicts, mistakes to avoid, real-life examples, and even seasonal tweaks. By the end, you’ll not only understand The Ordinary’s bestsellers but also know exactly how to tailor them for yourself.

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Why The Ordinary Is Different (and What It’s Not)

When The Ordinary launched, it disrupted the skincare industry. Transparent formulas, clear percentages of actives, no-frills packaging — and all at a fraction of the cost of luxury brands. Instead of “miracle cream” marketing, The Ordinary told you what was inside: niacinamide, retinoid, glycolic acid. The brand empowered consumers with knowledge.

But here’s the key: The Ordinary is not a one-size-fits-all routine. It’s like a modular toolkit. Think of it as Lego blocks. You can build a gentle, hydrating routine for dry skin or a powerful exfoliation system for dullness. The flexibility is powerful, but it requires a little guidance.

What it is:

• Affordable skincare with proven actives.
• Transparent about ingredients and concentrations.
• Customisable to your goals.

What it’s not:

• A pre-designed 10-step system.
• Instantly transformative.
• Foolproof (you need to understand how to use it).

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Step One: Identify Your Skin Type & Concerns

The first step in building any routine is knowing what your skin actually needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Skin Type / Concern	Priorities	Avoid / Be Careful With	Suggested Starters (The Ordinary)
Oily / Acne-prone	Reduce sebum, unclog pores	Heavy oils, harsh scrubs	Niacinamide 10% + Zinc, Salicylic Acid 2%
Dry / Dehydrated	Hydration, barrier repair	Strong acids, over-cleansing	Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Squalane Cleanser, Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Mature / Fine Lines	Firmness, collagen support	Jumping straight into strong retinoids	Buffet, Buffet + Copper Peptides, Granactive Retinoid 2%
Pigmentation / Uneven Tone	Brightening, antioxidant	Overuse of multiple brightening serums	Alpha Arbutin 2%, Ascorbyl Glucoside, AHA Peeling Solution (weekly)

💡 Tip: Always patch test new products and introduce one active at a time. This helps you track what’s working and what’s irritating.

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Step Two: The Correct Order & Layering

Skincare is like cooking — the order of ingredients matters. Thinner, water-based products go first, while thicker creams and oils go last. Here’s a simplified framework:

1. Cleanser – start with a clean base.
2. Toner / mild exfoliant (optional) – to prep skin.
3. Water-based serums – e.g. niacinamide, hyaluronic acid.
4. Anhydrous solutions & suspensions – e.g. Vitamin C derivatives.
5. Emulsions & creams – moisturisers, barrier creams.
6. Oils – seal everything in.
7. SPF (AM only) – non-negotiable step.

Compatibility matters. Some actives shouldn’t be layered together:

• Vitamin C + Niacinamide (can cause flushing in sensitive skin)
• Direct acids (AHA, BHA) + Retinoids (too irritating)
• Copper peptides + strong Vitamin C (they deactivate each other)

Instead, alternate them. Use Vitamin C in the morning and retinoids at night, or acids twice a week and retinoids on other nights.

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Step Three: Sample Routines (AM & PM)

Basic Beginner Routine

If you’re new to skincare, simplicity is key.

AM

• Squalane Cleanser
• Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
• Natural Moisturising Factors + HA
• SPF 30+

PM

• Squalane Cleanser
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc (if oily) OR Alpha Arbutin (if pigmentation)
• Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

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Advanced Routine (Targeted Concerns)

For those comfortable with activities, here’s a more detailed routine:

Morning

• Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
• Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
• Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution (brightening) OR Niacinamide
• Natural Moisturising Factors + HA
• SPF 30+

Night

• Double cleanse: Squalane Cleanser → Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
• (2x per week) AHA Peeling Solution
• Buffet (anti-aging peptides) OR Retinoid
• Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
• 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (optional)
• Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

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Specialised Mini-Routines

For Acne Breakouts:

• Cleanser → Salicylic Acid 2% → Niacinamide → Lightweight Moisturiser → SPF

For Dull, Tired Skin:

• Cleanser → Hyaluronic Acid → Vitamin C (AM) / AHA peel (PM, weekly) → Buffet → Moisturiser → SPF

For Dry, Flaky Skin:

• Squalane Cleanser → Hyaluronic Acid → Soothing & Barrier Support → 100% Plant-Derived Squalane → Moisturiser

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Troubleshooting & Mistakes to Avoid

Even with great formulas, mistakes happen. Here’s how to dodge the common pitfalls:

1. Too many actives at once – causes irritation, redness, and breakouts. Start with one new serum.
2. Over-exfoliation – don’t use glycolic, salicylic, and peeling solution in the same week.
3. Skipping basics – hydration and SPF matter more than 10 serums.
4. Expecting miracles overnight – real results take 8–12 weeks.
5. No sunscreen – without SPF, brightening and anti-aging efforts are wasted.
6. Misreading “purging” – normal breakouts improve in 4–6 weeks. Anything longer could mean irritation.
7. Ignoring patch testing – always test on the jawline before full use.
8. Not hydrating enough – even oily skin needs hydration; skipping moisturiser can backfire.
9. Using too much product – a pea-sized amount is often enough. More isn’t better.

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How to Scale or Simplify

• Scaling up – once your skin adjusts, move from Granactive Retinoid to Retinol, or add stronger Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid).
• Scaling down – if irritation happens, return to basics: cleanser, hydrator, SPF.
• Seasonal tweaks – lighter serums in summer, richer oils in winter.
• Mixing brands – The Ordinary works well with others. Just avoid layering conflicting activities.
• Travel routines – simplify to 3 products: cleanser, hydrating serum, SPF.

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Real Stories & Case Studies

Case 1: Oily, acne-prone skin – After 10 weeks on Niacinamide + Salicylic Acid (2–3 nights a week), sebum production dropped, breakouts reduced by 70%, and skin looked less congested.

Case 2: Hyperpigmentation – Consistent use of Alpha Arbutin + Ascorbyl Glucoside + SPF showed visible fading of dark spots in 12 weeks.

Case 3: Aging skin – Using Buffet + Retinoid in PM led to smoother texture and plumper skin in 3 months.

Case 4: Sensitive skin beginner – Squalane Cleanser + Hyaluronic Acid + Soothing & Barrier Support built tolerance. Later added retinoid was successfully after 6 months.

These results prove that patience and consistency with the right products matter more than how many you own.

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FAQs & Myths

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Final Tips & Checklist

• ✅ Patch test every new serum.
• ✅ Introduce actives one at a time.
• ✅ Always wear SPF during the day.
• ✅ Be patient (8–12 weeks for real results).
• ✅ Keep it simple: cleanser + hydrator + SPF is better than 10 mismatched serums.
• ✅ Adjust routines with seasons and stress levels.
• ✅ Track your skin with photos every 2–4 weeks.

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Conclusion

The Ordinary isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about giving your skin the right tools at the right time. Whether you’re fighting acne, softening fine lines, or simply maintaining hydration, this brand has a solution — but only if you use it wisely.

Your best routine isn’t the most complicated one. It’s the one you can follow consistently, that respects your skin’s limits, and that evolves as your needs change. Start simple, stay patient, and let your skin show you what works.

💡 Want help personalising your own The Ordinary routine? Share your skin type and goals in the comments, and I’ll suggest a tailored plan just for you.