If you’re a big fan of Deciem products like ourselves here at Obviously Skincare, you may be wondering which products will work best for your aging or mature skin. We’ve made a skincare routine/regimen for aging and mature skin only using products by The Ordinary.
The focus we had in mind is to restore hydration, minimise signs of aging and protect the skin. Luckily The Ordinary have a complete range of products that tackle signs of skin aging, with the added benefit of being at a very reasonable price point.
Mature/Aging Skin Type
Mature or aging skin has many characteristic qualities, these are:
- Drier, less hydrated skin
- Deep or shallow wrinkles around face and neck
- Large pores due to reduced skin firmness
- Loose, sagging skin due to reduced elastin and collagen
- Hyperpigmentation and age spots
- Fine lines
The goal when establishing any skincare regimen or routine is therefore to provide mature skin with much needed hydration. Often the skin looks very dehydrated and this can worsen the appearance of wrinkles and lines in the skin.
Other concerns include reducing signs of aging, slowing down the aging process, reducing the size of pores and boosting collagen production.
The Ordinary Regimen For Mature/Aging Skin
This section has been split into morning and night routines using products that are only from The Ordinary. Continued use of this routine can completely transform your complexion and give your aging/mature skin a much needed glow.
Morning Regimen
- Squalane Cleanser: Cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine. This squalane cleanser is an excellent first step as it will clear the skin of any makeup, dirt, oils and impurities without overly drying the skin. Read more about Squalane here…
- Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: This toning solution by The Ordinary contains glycolic acid which works to boost skin radiance and texture. Continued use of glycolic acid can help battle scars, reduce the size of pores, as well as boost collagen production. The addition of aloe vera also helps to hydrate and soothe the skin.
- βBuffetβ + Copper Peptides 1%: This is a serum that works to tackle multiple signs of aging at once. Peptides work to promote collagen synthesis and fight inflammation.
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent humectant which works to draw water from it’s surroundings to deliver deep skin hydration. This product can give mature skin the hydration it needs, skin is immediately more plump and fine lines are minimised.
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: NMF’s work to provide a protective barrier on the outer layer of the skin. Not only will these protect the skin from pollutants and free radical damage, but it also means the skin’s moisture is locked in.
- Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants: This SPF formula contains SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage which is known to accelerate skin aging. Free radicals are neutralized, transepidermal water loss is reduced and the skin stays hydrated for longer.
Night Regimen
- Squalane Cleanser: Cleansing before bed is an essential step to clear away all the dirt, pollutants and oils that built up on your face during the day. This squalane cleanser is perfect for morning and night use, one less thing to worry about.
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Hyaluronic Acid will work all night to keep the skin hydrated and therefore promote collagen synthesis. It will also restore moisture lost as a result of acidic treatments or damage from the elements.
- Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%: One of the most potent anti-aging ingredients available.
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: A potent anti-oxidant solution which will work to combat free radical damage as well as brighten and tighten the complexion overnight.
- Retinol 1% in Squalane (On alternate days to Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid): A high strength retinol formulation with squalane. If you’re new to retinol try a lower strength retinol such as 0.2% or 0.5%. Retinol is a form of Vitamin-A that promotes collagen synthesis and can therefore reduce signs of aging on mature skin.
- 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Optional): Squalane is an excellent skin moisturiser with many skin health boosting properties. This step is optional as the retinol formulation already contains squalane. If however you’re on an alternate day and not using retinol, then it’s perhaps best to apply this squalane solution.
Also try The Ordinary: AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. This solution provides a 10 minute facial which can brighten the skin, fade age spots and hyperpigmentation as well as boost collagen production.
22 responses to “The Ordinary Regimen For Aging And Mature Skin”
Such a thorough and in-depth post. Thank you so much for this! I started using The Ordinary skincare at the beginning of the year and its made such a great difference to my skin. I love how affordable their products are too! π
Hey Olivia, thank you and glad you enjoyed it!
Good to know their products are working for you, the affordability is certainly a plus π
– Obvs. Team
Iβm very grateful for the work youβve done putting together this regimen!
If I were to add The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% to the PM regimen, above, when should it be applied?
Hey Twirly,
Thank you for the positive feedback, glad we could be of help π
The Ordinary’s Argireline solution is water based and so should be applied before any oil-based serums/moisturisers. We recommend applying it after hyaluronic acid (step #2).
– Obvs. Team
Thank you so much for your excellent article. I am planning on implementing your suggested morning regimen into my skincare routine, but need your input regarding my night regimen. I am currently using tretinoin (prescription retin-a) followed by cereve moisturizing cream for my nightly skincare. Would you recommend that I add the other suggested Ordinary items to this routine β ie, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% and Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% β or is the tretinoin + moisturizer sufficient?.
Hey Brenda,
Glad you enjoyed the article π
You should definitely add Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, as it will help tackle some of the dryness brought about by your Tretinoin treatment and provide additional anti-aging benefits. You should apply this serum before your Tretinoin treatment, and make sure you follow up with moisturiser at the end of your routine. CeraVe do some fantastic moisturisers so we recommend you stick with that.
Do NOT combine Tretinoin or any Retinol as a matter of fact with Vitamin C Suspensions as these can significantly increase skin sensitivity. We also recommend you stay away from Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid while using Tretinoin.
Hope this has helped a little!
– Harris
OBVS. Team
Excellent suggestions! Thanks so much for your quick response.
Hi and thanks for the great article. The Deciem website says not to mix direct acids and peptides in the same regimen. Should glycolic acid and buffet + copper peptides be used on alternate days?
Hey Jo,
Thank you for the positive feedback, we hope you’ve enjoyed the read.
We suggest you try and see what works for your skin. The team here at Obviously Skincare have used the glycolic acid toner with the copper peptides with no adverse effects (only positive ones!). If you have sensitive skin, then perhaps using these products on alternate days would work better for you.
We’ve found the glycolic toner to be far gentler than glycolic acid serums, and for this reason recommended the routine as you’ve seen above.
Hope this has helped a little,
– OBVS. Team
Thank you. I will certainly give it a try. X
Thank you for this article!!
I saw in another comment you don’t recommend Reversatrol and Retin-A..Can they be used in separate routines? AM vs PM?
Hey Mel,
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it π
We don’t recommend using The Ordinary’s Resveratrol + Ferulic Acid and Retin-A at the same time, even if it’s split between AM/PM, but this is more down to the Ferulic Acid. If you can find a solution without a direct acid, this will work better (e.g. https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/en_GB/resveratrol-b-e/3606000475380.html) and can be used before applying Retin-A at night.
As with every routine, we recommend you listen to your skin. You could always try applying the resveratrol + ferulic acid and retinol in differing routines (AM/PM), provided you don’t have sensitive skin. What may work for some might not work for others. If you start to suffer from sensitivity and redness, discontinue use immediately.
Hope this has helped a little,
– OBVS. Team
Hello, should the end of the PM routine be a retinol? Or should I use the natural moisturizing factors or rosehip oil at the end?
Hey Leah,
You’re absolutely right. This routine can be followed up with NMF’s or any other moisturisers you own, or rosehip oil. The former is more suitable for this routine however.
– OBVS. Team
Hi , I love your plan but hoping to free up some time. which products can you apply immediately and which to you have to wait to apply. I am giving it 20 mins between applying each product but it is very time consuming. I am going around the house with creams and a clock. Please helpπ
Hey Pauline,
Hahaha, thanks for the good chuckle! You needn’t wait 20 minutes between applying each product at all. The products in this routine can be applied back to back, it’s good practice to wait for them to absorb into the skin though, 1-2 minutes for each from experience. If you’re in a rush in the morning and don’t have time to wait it isn’t a problem, these treatments should be just as effective.
– OBVS. Team
Hi , loved the article. I have been following it but very slowly. I have been leaving a gap of 20 mins between products but it is taking too long, can I apply some of them in succession?
thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly you made my day. I have a 1 year old and 3 year old and it was becoming a nightmare . have a good weekend
If I follow this routine, when would you use The Ordinary: AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution during the week? Would you use it multiple times?
Hey Solinda,
We recommend you use the peeling solution a maximum of two times per week. It should be applied in the PM after cleansing. You should follow it up with hyaluronic acid and a good moisturiser. Ensure you apply adequate sun protection for the following few days if you are using the peeling solution, and try to limit sun exposure as a whole.
Hope this has helped a little π
– OBVS. Team
Would you recommend this routine for dry post menopausal skin? Is the moisturiser strong enough?
A bit confused with Night routine re Ferulic, Vit C and Ret 1%. Do you mean Ferulic + Ret 1% on 1 night and Vit C + Ret 1% the night after?