The Ordinary Recs

[pooh8402]

Hi, I'm a lurker on this board, and am interested in this product line thanks to the big thread and the review link posted within. The price point helps! I haven't done a whole lot to my skin and use mostly drugstore products. But I'm not getting any younger, and I recently moved to a drier climate so my usuals aren't working like they used to.

I have combination skin-more oily in summer (although again, drier climate so it hasn't been feeling oily this summer) and dry to the point of flaking in the winter. I do have occasional acne that is not hormonal and usually because I've been stressed and/or lazy with washing my face, and fine lines, blackheads and whiteheads on my nose, chin, and between my brows. I do scar easily from acne.

Current regimen:
AM: splash with water. Origins Ginzing moisturizer. Biore Sarasara UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen (thanks for the rec, I love this!)
PM: wash with Zum facial bar (made with goats milk, not drying). Exfoliate as needed with St Ives Grapefruit scrub. Origins Ginzing moisturizer.

I am currently prepping for a FET next month, so am avoiding BHA and retinols.

I'd like to keep a regimen fairly simple, but all the reviews on various acids for exfoliation and the oils sound so lovely. I'd love more brightening, even tone, smoother texture. I love lightweight moisture.

[NewGirlNic]

It sounds like I have similar skin to you. This is what I've been using and I love my skin right now. 

AM:
-wash with CeraVe foaming cleanser
-TO Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5,
-TO Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (seriously my FAVORITE product... my skin feels amazing after using this)
-moisturizer (varies, but right now I'm using GARNIER Skinactive Moisture Bomb)
-UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen

PM:
-remove makeup with micellar water
-wash with CeraVe foaming cleanser
-TO Buffet
-alternate (every-other night) with TO Advanced Retinoid 2% and TO Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
-TO 100% Plant-Derived Squalane oil 

Next on my list is the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil and the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (it's been out of stock). Maybe the Vitamin C and the Peeling Solution and probably the Retinol 1% when the retinoid is gone, since my skin has tolerated it well. 

[mrsukyankee]

I would totally get rid of the scrub - physical scrubs aren't great for the face normally. What I would do is use something nice and gentle for skin removal like Lactic Acid 5% (and if your skin is okay with it you could try 10%). I started off using it 2x a week and now I'm more at 3-4x a week. It's great for my sensitive skin and helps with my lines. I'm using it all year round. In the winter, I'd definitely suggest an HA - personally I like the Hado Labo one better than the Ordinary one, and you HAVE to put either a moisture cream or oil on afterwards. I like the Marula Oil.

[NewGirlNic]

And yes, get rid of the scrub. I used to be addicted to exfoliating scrubs and wasn't sure I could quit them. But after using a chemical exfoliater, I'm converted! I started with the Pixi Glow Tonic and still use it sometimes

[pooh8402]

I agree that I need to get rid of the physical scrub. I prefer retinoids overall for chemical exfoliation, but I can't use them right now!

So if, for instance, I got the NMF + HA, I wouldn't need a separate HA, right? Or if I continued using the Origins moisturizer, then I could skip the NMF right now and use a standalone HA + Origins?

In my cart right now:
Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Buffet
HA 2% + B5
NMF + HA
Squalane

I'm just dropping stuff in my cart that seems like it would work, but I don't think I'll need all of this.

[bluestreet]

Since you mention scarring from acne, I'd add Niacinamide. Otherwise, looks great!

[bowies]

Since you like your moisturizer I would forego the NMF and probably the squalane. Start slow and see what your skin can handle (and how many steps you can tolerate).

The skincare routine thread is probably a good resource - I've started using some TO products.