What should not be combined with ordinary Buffet?

As this page is regularly updated, please link to it rather than screenshot it when sharing.Always read the instructions before using and patch test products.

Products You Can & Cannot Mix

Here´s your easy guide to The Ordinary Products you can and cannot mix. It can be very confusing if you’re new to The Ordinary, so here’s a simple chart with all The Ordinary products you can and cannot use together.

When products conflict, you should avoid using them in the same routine. Why? They could cancel each other out, or they could cause irritation to your skin. You can use one in your morning routine and one in your evening routine or on alternate days. Everyone’s skin is different, so I suggest you keep track of the products you use and how your skin feels/looks.

The other day I applied The Ordinary Pycnogenol to my face whilst I was taking some photos of the product. A few minutes later, my skin felt hot and irritated. When I looked in the mirror it was really red and blotchy. I forgot that I had used The Ordinary Glycolic Acid over an hour beforehand. So please, be careful and follow the guidelines.

NIOD Conflicts

You can find the new NIOD Conflicts Chart here.

Deciem Responses Regarding Conflicts & The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix

Why can´t I use Vitamin C derivatives with Niacinamide?

This is a confusing one! These products were often in the same Deciem regimen. In November 2020, Deciem said to avoid using them together. A few days later, Deciem posted a story with these products in the same routine. Many people questioned this, and their response was that you can continue if you have used them together without irritation.

Deciem: We do not recommend combining Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid, Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C Derivatives) with Niacinamide with Direct or Ethylated Vitamin C and Vitamin C Derivatives. This is due to the formation of a salt complex that has the potential to reduce the integrity of both compounds.If you wish to combine both products into a regimen, we recommend using them on alternate days and/or nights. 

Why can´t I use Vitamin C, Retinoids & Direct Acids in the same routine?

If you wish to incorporate multiple Vitamin C’s, Retinoids, and/or Direct Acids into your skincare regimen, we suggest using them on alternate evenings and waiting until your skin has adjusted to one before introducing another.

Why can I not use The Ordinary Acids together?

We do not recommend combining this masque with other direct acids in the same regimen due to the subjectivity of skin tolerance. With salicylic acid being present in the formula at high concentrations, combining it with other acidic and high-strength formulas may increase the skin’s sensitivity. If you decide to combine this masque with other direct acids, we recommend you perform a patch test of the combination before full facial application.

Why can´t I use The Ordinary Buffet with Acids & Vitamin C?

This is because (at a low pH) the peptides undergo processes such as deamination and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides.  Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid incompatibility between those combinations (due to various concentrations and formats offered within our range) and because skin tolerance is subjective.If you have been combining them and this has been working for you, you may continue to do so as the combination will not harm the skin.

Why can´t I mix Direct Acids & Peptides?

We would not recommend combining direct acids with peptides due to the susceptibility of peptides to hydrolysis (which breaks the bonds between peptides, reducing their efficacy and making them into individual amino acids).At low pH, the peptides undergo processes such as deamination (the removal of an amide group) and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides.Having said that, if you have previously combined peptides with acids and have not experienced any negative side effects or discolouration, you may continue to combine the two products as so as the combination does not pose any potential harm.Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid incompatibility between those combinations and because skin tolerance is subjective.

Copper Peptides & Antioxidants, Direct Acids & Peptides

By Prudvi: Our rule against combining strong antioxidants only applies to our products containing copper peptides. We would not recommend combining direct acids with peptides due to the susceptibility of peptides to hydrolysis (which breaks the bonds between peptides, reducing their efficacy, and making them into individual amino acids).At low pH, the peptides undergo processes such as deamidation (the removal of an amide group) and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides.

By Prudvi: Having said that, if you have previously combined peptides with acids and have not experienced any negative side effects or discolouration, you may continue to combine the two products as so that the combination does not pose any potential harm.Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid any incompatibility between those combinations and also because skin tolerance is subjective. Hope this helps!

Why can you not mix The Ordinary Niacinamide & Pure Vitamin C?

By Prudvi on Reddit, our contraindication is specific to our products and concentrations. If you’ve used them together in the past and the combination has worked for you without any issues, you may continue to do so.

The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix

Conflicting Information

The more you read on the internet, the more conflicting information you will find and become more confusing.  If you’re new to skincare, I would advise you to follow the advice given by Deciem.

Patch Testing

It is important to patch-test products before using them. Read how to patch test here.

How Do I Create A Skincare Regimen With All These Conflicts?

After reading about all these conflicts and what you can and cannot use together, I hope it’s all a little clearer.

Have a look through all these different regimens. They will give you a really good idea of products to use.

• General Signs of Ageing Regimen
• Pigmentation Regimen
• Dehydration Regimen
• Look of Blemishes & Congestion
• Rosacea Regimen
• Oily Skin Regimen
• Sensitive Skin Routine
• Personalised routines in the Facebook Group, NIOD & Hylamide routines