The Ordinary newbie - check my regime?

[agteacht]

Hi all,

I have only just discovered the Ordinary through this board... where have I been?!

So figuring out a new regime to incorporate - have I got this right and what would you do differently?

I'm mid 30s and want to address ageing and dull, tired skin. I tend to use Kiehls a lot otherwise and then throw random products in here and there...

AM:
Buffet
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Kiehls Vitamin C serum
Kiehls avocado eye cream
Moisturiser (typically just use No7)

PM:
Nip Fab cleansing pads
Buffet
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squaline
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate
Body Shop oils of life moisturiser

Do I need to cleanse as well or does buffet do that?? Any moisturiser recommendations instead?

Appreciate any views

No idea the fact I just sometimes shove some Johnson’s baby lotion on my face will prob bite me in the arse when you look like your 20 still and I look 59 when we have both turned 40!
( I am also mid 30’s)
Honestly a little in awe of you, that’s dedication you have.

Hopefully a beautician can clarify your question soon

I'm not sure that you need moisturizer on top of the rose hip oil.

@Newmumma83 hahah I know you're right, it sounds ridiculous written down and I'd prefer just to use a cleansing wipe to be honest. But I did the evening version tonight and it literally took 10 mins.

@PerspicaciaTick ooh that sounds great, I did wonder as skin felt soft at that stage. I'll have a look at ditching the night moisturiser then.

Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squaline
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate
Body Shop oils of life moisturiser

This is too many and in the wrong order. Oils go last as nothing else will sink through them so you are wasting the Kiehls and Body Shop.

Water based first, oils last.

You need to double cleanse - so wash with a cleanser and water first then the pads.

Next I would do TO Hyaralonic Acid (spelling I know) then Buffet.

Then either Retinoid or Kiehls as your serum. Alternate.

Then one or other of the oil based products to finish off, you can alternate.

@Luckingfovely oh water then oils of course, thanks so much!

So does this sound better?

AM:
Cleanser + water
Nip Fab pads
Hyaluronic Acid
Buffet
Kiehls vitamin C serum OR Estée Lauder Perfectionist serum

PM:
Cleanser + water
Nip Fab pads
Hyaluronic Acid
Granactive Retinoid 2%
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate OR Granactive Retinoid (alternate)

I've added in a cleanser to AM and PM - any suggestions?
I've removed moisturiser from both AM and PM altogether.
I've two serum options for both AM and PM so will alternate.
I've added in Hyaluronic Acid per your suggestion to PM and I've removed Buffet but can put it back in?

Thanks so much!

Eek can't edit from my phone but in PM retinoid shouldn't be there twice (copy / paste mistake!)

I’d keep a moisturiser in the morning (just not at night as you’re using an oil).

And personally, I’d not use glycolic acid (N&F) at night when you’re also applying retinoid.

This is what I would do:

AM:
Cleanser + water
Hyaluronic Acid
Buffet
Day moisturiser

PM:
Cleanser + water
Nip Fab pads
Hyaluronic Acid
Buffet

Then alternate Kiehls / Retinoid for next layer (I also alternate a Vitamin C at this stage) Think of this as your treatment phase.

Then finish with Rose Hip Oil (I also alternate this with Squalane and/or a night moisturiser). Think of this as your heaviest layer, providing moisture and sealing the rest in.

Also you don't mention an eye cream, but I use one morning & night too.

Thanks @kaldefotter re moisturizer and good point about the glycolic acid in Nip Fab

@Luckingfovely again thank you. See the tweaks you have made

I also use Kiehls avocado eye cream... just in morning... should it be better used in eve?

I do eye cream, plus a similar routine to the above, every day.

The Ordinary eye thing - Caffeine- makes my eyes sting like hell, but I have to admit that it does reduce my eye bags if I'm very careful and only under the eye.

Otherwise, I think you're good to go! Report back in a few weeks and tell us how it's working

Oh - didn't answer the q - I'd do the eye one morning and night as well. Just be careful not to layer everything else on top of your eyes as well otherwise it seems to make them more puffy.

Hi

@Luckingfovely you are an absolute fountain of knowledge!!! Completely amazing. I will definitely report back.

While you're here what magic day moisturiser do you use?

I'll add the caffeine eye thing when I do my next order and try it out too.

I use Beauty Pie mostly (I use a mixture of their products and the Ordinary every day), but you need a subscription for that.

Otherwise, Aldi creams are as good as anything I've found in Boots!

Are you using a SPF every single day as well? You should be especially with retinoids. I wear factor 50 without fail apart from on the very very odd days I don’t set foot outside.

Regarding cleanser I actually really rate their squalane one and the price is a total bonus! I have emailed them before with queries about routines and what products to use and they are really responsive and helpful.

I like the squalane cleaner too.

@Lampan good point yes I am, thanks though

@FlashyOctopus is that the ordinary too? Will take a look

I'm going to be like a new woman 😊