What order do I use my products in?

[BoooAmy]

This is my first post so sorry if my question is in a bad format.

I am 16 and have recently bought a few skin care products.I am wanting to know what order should I use my products in.

I think I have linked them below but I'll also type them here:

1. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution Pore Clearing Serum
2. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 
3. The Ordinary Mini Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
4. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
5. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution 8 oz/ 240 mL The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% Exfoliating Serum

Thank you.

[WinglessOne]

Hi @BoooAmy and welcome to BIC! Your question format is fine. 🙂 

Assuming a doctor prescribed TactuPump to you: did your doc recommend all those other products/ingredients? That’s a lot to throw at your skin at once, especially if you’ve never used a retinoid (adapalene), benzoyl peroxide, or an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid, like glycolic and lactic) before. In fact, I don’t think you need them all. You definitely don’t need both the Glycolic Acid 7% Toner and the Lactic Acid 10% Serum: those are both exfoliants, as is the salicylic acid serum. You should really ask your doctor for a skincare routine recommendation. (To my knowledge, no BIC members, including me, are medical doctors, let alone dermatologists.) 

Buuut, here’s how I recommend you start: 

Night 

1. Cleanser - I assume you already have a gentle hydrating one? 
2. Moisturizer - The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors. Apply it while your skin’s damp (but not soaking wet). 
3. TactuPump gel - did your doctor tell you how and when to use it? Don’t start off using it each night. Use it just 1 or 2 nights a week for a while, then increase use to 2-3 nights a week, and keep gradually increasing usage. Never use it twice on the same day. 

I put moisturizer before TactuPump to act as a buffer. Adapalene (the retinoid in TactuPump) can be very irritating and drying, as can benzoyl peroxide (the other active ingredient in TactuPump). A moisturizer can buffer some of the side effects without stopping either ingredient from working. 

Morning 

1. Cleanser (optional) - some folks don’t need to wash their face in the morning. I often don’t, and I have mostly-dry combo skin. 
2. Moisturizer - same as your night moisturizer. 
3. Broad Spectrum Sunscreen - at least SPF 30, applied each day to ALL skin exposed to sunlight, all year long, regardless of weather or season. I don’t see one on your list. Do you already use a sunscreen? We should all use sunscreen daily anyway, but especially if using an AHA like glycolic or lactic acid. AHAs make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. 

After a few weeks of this morning routine, insert The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% between cleanser and moisturizer. You may want to start off using that product just a few days a week at first, in case your skin’s sensitive to it. 

About a month or 2 later, add ONE of the exfoliants you bought (glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid) to this morning routine and use it just 1-3 times a week, not daily. Slot it between cleanser and moisturizer. You can use it before or after the niacinamide serum, if you decide to also use that on the same morning; most folks would use the exfoliant first. Do not use all 3 of those purchased exfoliants on the same morning. You could keep one of the AHAs and the salicylic acid and just alternate them. But again, I don't think you need to keep both the AHAs. If I had to choose to return one of those 2 products based on your routine, it'd be the glycolic acid toner. I might even recommend exchanging the 10% lactic acid for the 5% version ( The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 1 oz/ 30 mL  ) because it's even gentler. 

Also, if The Ordinary still claims you can use their 7% glycolic acid toner daily: please don’t do that. It’s a good way to damage your skin barrier, especially while using TactuPump. 

[BoooAmy]

Thank you very much for informing me I will use your advice!!

[makeitup305]

@BoooAmy What are your skin concerns? You bought a lot of acids. Acids exfoliate your skin by chemically removing dead skin cells and encouraging new cells to grow, which can reduce acne, discoloration, etc. However, you are removing a very thin layer of skin, which can make your skin sensitive, especially if you’re just starting out. If you’re not used to them, introduce them one at a time, slowly, so you don’t freak out your skin or compromise your skin barrier. I would start with the Niacinamide serum 2-3 times a week. The The Ordinary Mini Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 1 oz/ 30 mL  is moisturizer so you apply that every day after the serum. Wait 1-2 weeks.

- If you’re trying to get rid of blackheads and reduce acne, start incorporating the Salicylic acid serum 1-2x per week, alternating with the Niacinamide serum.

- If you are more concerned about dryness and skin texture, incorporate the Lactic acid serum instead, 1-2x per week. Lactic acid is less intense than glycolic acid.

Use one acid for at least 2 weeks before you begin incorporating another one. I think the options are a little redundant since they do similar things. The toner you could try once or twice a week instead of one of the serums. Don’t forget SPF, your skin is more likely to burn/ develop hyperpigmentation after using acids since it’s “new”skin.

[BoooAmy]

I see, thank you very much for giving me some new information! I will keep it in mind!