The Ordinary has a powerful and impressive line up of hydrators and oils. They have options for all skin types and because their prices are so affordable you never have to worry about dehydrated, dry skin again. The Ordinary’s products are no frills but it’s nice because you don’t have to worry about dyes, fragrances or filler ingredients irritating your skin. Less is more sometimes and that’s exactly what you want from your hydrators – non irritating, moisturizing and able to let your other skincare do it’s work.
The Ordinary Oils
The Ordinary’s line up of oils is one of their greatest strengths. They have so many to choose from ranging from different consistencies that favor dry to oily skin. Nut-free formulas for those with allergies and they even have oils that are suitable for dry and frizzy hair.
A good oil can do wonders for your skin, it’s just about finding the right one. First and foremost is making sure it’s hydrating, but you can also find something that helps to fade dark spots or heal inflammation. They’re not just for hydrating purposes. The Ordinary has so many options it can become overwhelming but it’s hard to go completely awry when choosing an oil.
Here’s an outline on all their oils to help you decide what’s best for you!
“B” Oil
This oil fights dehydration and signs of aging, while providing antioxidant and healthy skin support.
How To Use: Use this oil in the AM or PM after water based serums. It can be used alone as a moisturizer or paired with one to lock in hydration. It’s great for soothing irritation and promoting the health and integrity of the skin. This oil is on the heavier side – it can work for all skin types but I think dry skin would favor it.
Highlights
- This is good at locking in moisture and leaving a hydrated touch to this skin. It’s heavier but does not leave a lingering greasy or oily feeling.
- Helps to soothe irritated and stressed skin. This can work for all skin types but would do wonders for irritated, dry skin.
- Micro-algae containing formulation gives it a light green hue. It sort of looks and feels like olive oil.
Use With: After water based serums in the AM or PM. Follow it up with a moisturizer for more hydration.
Don’t Use With: The “B” oil does not have any conflicts! Feel free to use it as you wish.
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
A lightweight plant-derived solution that supports healthy hydration.
How To Use: Use this oil after water based serums in the AM or PM. This is a lighter oil that could suit all skin types! If you have dry skin and want more hydration, use this oil after Hyaluronic Acid or Marine Hyaluronics. Then, follow up with another moisturizer to lock it all in.
Highlights
- Lightweight, clear oil. Squalane is a great hydrator that helps to prevent loss of moisture.
- This could work for all skin types. It effectively hydrates but absorbs quickly into the skin.
- Non-comedogenic formulation.
- Works on the hair to seal and hydrate dry, split ends.
Use With: Use after water based serums in the AM or PM. Can be used on dry or wet hair. Focus it on the ends to avoid a greasy scalp.
Don’t Use With: Does not have any conflicts! Feel free to use it with whatever you like.
100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane
A serum that hydrates skin to improve the look of skin’s elasticity and suppleness.
How To Use: This is a pure molecule and excellent non-comedogenic emollient that helps to reduce the loss of hydration. The consistency of this product is super lightweight and feels like a light oil but it’s not one. If you have oily skin, this would be a nice option because it feels super lightweight and never oily or greasy. Use this in the AM or PM after water based serums.
Highlights
- Fast absorbing and non-greasy hydration.
- Low molecular weight allows this to spread and dry super quickly. This works well on the skin or on the hair for reducing frizz.
- Water and oil free formula. This would be great for oil prone skin.
Use With: Use in the AM or PM after water based serums. Use it on the ends of your hair to minimize frizz.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts. Feel free to use it as you wish!
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
This oil effectively restores your skin’s moisture barrier and smoothness, promoting your skin’s overall health.
How To Use: Use this after water based serums to lock in moisture, ideally in your PM routine. This oil is rich in fatty acids and offers lots of benefits for the skin. It has anti-aging properties as it’s high in Vitamin A (retinol which is also why it’s recommended to use only in the PM routine) and can fade dark spots.
Highlights
- Rose Hip Seed Oil contains high amounts of Vitamin A (retinol) which gives it tremendous anti-aging properties.
- Can fade dark spots and heal inflamed, sensitive skin. This is a great option for sensitive skin types.
- Ultra hydrating formula. I think dry skin types would favor this oil but it works for all.
Use With: Use after water based serums, ideally at bedtime.
Don’t Use With: Use this ideally in the PM, but it does not have any conflicts!
100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
This formulation contains 100% pure Sea-Buckthorn Fruit oil that is sustainably-sourced, organic, unrefined and virgin in origin.
How To Use: This oil fights dehydration, signs of aging and is filled with antioxidants. Use it after water based serums in your PM routine. This oil has a rich orange color so when it’s applied to the skin, it makes you look orangey-tan. It’s probably not an oil you want to use in the day time!
Highlights
- Great for anti-aging and filled with antioxidant support.
- Helps to boost the skin barrier and protect from free radical damage.
- The formula’s red-orange hue comes from the high carotenoids and lycopene content. This is not an oil you want to use in the AM because the orange color only comes off when you wash it off.
Use With: Use this in your PM routine, after water based serums.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts. Use it as you wish.
100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
This oil offers antioxidant support, hydrates your skin, and helps restore a radiant tone.
How To Use: Marula oil is rich in antioxidants and works to help the skin while promoting a radiant skin tone. Use this in AM or PM after water based serums. It’s a very multi-use oil so it also works to help frizzy, damaged hair.
Highlights
- Marula oil is a thicker consistency and great for dry, dehydrated skin. It’s also great on frizzy, dry and damaged hair.
- This is not a nut-free oil so keep that in mind. The Borage Seed Oil is a good nut-free alternative.
- This oil is so affordable and another competing Marula Oil sells for 7X the price of this one.
- Use this in the AM or PM. This is a very multi-use oil.
Use With: In the AM or PM after your water based serums.
Don’t Use With: This does not have any conflicts and can be used with whatever you like!
100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil
A daily support formula for all skin types, with 100 percent pure chia seed oil, that is sustainably-sourced, organic, virgin, and cold-pressed.
How To Use: Use after water based serums in the AM or PM. This lightweight oil would be great for all skin types but especially oily skin if you find most oils to be too heavy. It’s great for soothing the skin and providing a soft and supple complexion. This also doubles as a hair oil as it adds softness and strength.
Highlights
- Adds softness, sheen and strength to hair.
- Promotes a healthy skin tone. This is a great, multi-purpose oil that can be used on the face or hair.
- High concentration of fatty acids is very calming and soothing on the skin! If you have irritated skin, try this out!
- This lightweight oil is a good option for oily skin types! It does not feel greasy or oily on the skin but adds effective hydration.
Use With: After water based serums in the AM or PM. Or on the ends of dry hair.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts, feel free to use as you like!
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil
This formulation contains 100% pure Borage Seed Oil that is sustainably-sourced, organic and cold-pressed.
How To Use: Use this in the AM or PM after water based serums. The Borage seed oil is on the lighter side so all skin types, especially oily skin would like this oil. This oil works great with inflamed, sensitive skin and helps to reduce redness making it a great option for sensitive skin as well.
Highlights
- A calming oil that helps to maintain healthy skin and reduce redness. It’s great for improving your complexion.
- Nut-free formula. This is good for sensitive, allergy prone skin. It even works on skin conditions like eczema.
- This oil lingers a little bit on the skin but it doesn’t feel oily or sticky. This would be a great option come the colder months to add more hydration into your routine.
Use With: Use in the AM or PM after water based serums.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts so feel free to use it with whatever you like!
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
This argan oil treatment is lightweight so it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky on your skin.
How To Use: Argan oil like marula oil is a great multi-use oil that can be used on the skin and hair. It’s not too thick but not too light. Great for dry skin but oily skin could also benefit from using it. Use this after water based serums at the end of your PM routine. Follow it up with a moisturizer to really lock in that hydration. When using this on the hair, focus it on the ends as it will make your scalp greasy.
Highlights
- This can be used on the skin or hair to add hydration. All skin types can use this oil. Plus, it’s great on damaged, split ends.
- Argan oil is great for targeting dehydration. It’s high fatty acid content helps irritated skin and flaking skin.
- This oil is not nut free so keep that in mind if you have allergies. The Plant Derived Squalane is a similar and nut-free alternative.
Use With: Use after wanted based serums. Ideally in your PM routine.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts. You’re free to use it with whatever!
The Ordinary Hydrators
The Hydrators are all the hydrating serums and products that aren’t oils. The Natural moisturizing factor is great for all skin types, locking in moisture at the end of your routine. The Serums – Marine Hyaluronics, Hyaluronic Acid and Amino Acids are used prior to moisturizers and oils to draw in that moisture. They are a great way to up the hydration in your skin and penetrate the skin deeper if you feel like an oil or moisturizer isn’t enough.
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
This moisturizer isn’t thick or heavy and will never feel greasy on your skin.
How To Use: Follow up your routine with this moisturizer. It’s an emulsion so it’s lightweight, never heavy and good for oily skin types. But, don’t let that fool you, it’s very effective at locking in moisture. Dry skin may need something a little heavier. This can be used in the AM or PM and it’s a great simple moisturizer.
Highlights
- Lightweight, creamy texture soothes and hydrates the skin. It’s great for layering with other products.
- Contains amino acids, glycerin and other compounds naturally found in the skin.
- This would be a nice moisturizer for oily to normal skin types because it’s so lightweight. Dry skin may need something a little more hydrating or thicker.
Use With: At the end of your routine, after water based serums. Can be used in the AM and/or PM.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts. Use it as you wish! It pairs great with all the other hydrators and oils.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This serum is formulated with a combination of low, medium, and high molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, as well as a next-generation hyaluronic acid crosspolymer, at a combined concentration of 2% for multi- depth hydration.
How To Use: Use this in the AM or PM before creams and moisturizers. This is not a heavy serum but it’s the heaviest one in The Ordinary’s line up of hydrators and it has a viscous, gel consistency. An hyaluronic acid is an amazing option for easily adding moisture into your skincare routine and this one is very effective.
Highlights
- HA is the mother of all hydrators and you cannot go wrong with it. Make sure to follow it up with a good oil or moisturizer so it can draw that in. It won’t work on it’s own.
- Super affordable and effective formulation. Includes vitamin B3 to enhance surface hydration.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, you will like this much better than the Marine Hyaluronics.
Use With: Use before creams or oils. Suitable in the AM or PM.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts so feel free to use it with whatever you like!
Marine Hyaluronics
The serum brings together lightweight marine-derived water reservoirs that attract and hold water like hyaluronic acid (HA) but are lighter than HA in texture and feel.
How To Use: This ultra-lightweight hydrator feels like water on the skin but it’s exceptional at drawing in moisture. Similar to a hyaluronic acid, this product draws moisture into the skin and needs to be paired with an oil or cream. This is a water based serum, used before oils and cream in the AM and/or PM.
Highlights
- Ultra lightweight texture feels like nothing on the skin. It feels like your splashing water on your face and it has no scent.
- Works exceptionally well to draw in moisture. This contains red algae and marine water from vegan reservoirs – both are great at retaining moisture.
- If you don’t like the viscous formula of a Hyaluronic Acid, you will love this product.
- If you have oily skin and want something ultra light, you will like this. It’s great for summer when you want a light routine.
Use With: Use this in the AM and/or PM. Use it before oils and moisturizers so it can draw that moisture in. It would pair great with one of The Ordinary’s oils.
Don’t Use With: This does not conflict with anything! You can even mix it with The Ordinary’s powder Niacinamide or Vitamin C to create your own treatment.
Amino Acids + B5
This concentrated solution includes Amino Acids and Amino Acid derivatives creating a combined total concentration of 17% (by weight).
How To Use: This is a water based serum used at the beginning of your routine. This can be used in the AM or PM without conflicts. This product is very similar to the Marine Hyaluronics and they both have an ultra lightweight and watery texture. This may tingle on application.
Highlights
- This product supports healthy skin and can help to soothe irritation.
- Resembles the skin’s own amino acids and provides enhanced barrier support. If you over exfoliate your skin this is the product you want to use to heal it.
- Non-greasy hydration. This may tingle so mix it with a moisturizer if the sensation is uncomfortable.
Use With: Use in the AM or PM before creams and oils.
Don’t Use With: This has no conflicts so feel free to use as you like!
Final Thoughts
The nice part about The Ordinary’s oils and hydrators is that they have no conflicts and you are virtually free to use them as you like. The only instruction is to use them after water based serums so your skincare is layered without the potential to pill. And, the exception of a few that are recommended for night time use. Whether you have dry, oily or normal skin, The Ordinary has affordable options that suit all.
As someone with dry skin, my favorites include the “B” Oil, Virgin Chia Seed Oil, Rosehip oil and Marine Hyaluronics. I use them in the morning, at night and I don’t have to worry about my skin getting dry during the colder months. The nice part is if you have oily skin you have a bunch of other options to choose from that will be better accustomed to your skin type. Don’t stress too hard about what you pick because chances are, your skin will drink it up.