Combination skin · Anti-aging · Barrier repair · L'Oréal-free
Every product selected through peer-reviewed dermatology research
8-ingredient minimal formula · barrier-safe · gentle foam · 150ml
Decyl glucoside + coco glucoside (sugar-derived surfactants — among the gentlest available), phytic acid antioxidant, vitamin E. pH 5.0–6.0. Zero fragrance, zero stripping. Just 8 ingredients total.
Balm cleansers are optimised for removing makeup and heavy SPF — overkill with no makeup. A gel cleanser removes overnight sebum and sweat without over-cleansing. Same The Ordinary store as your other products. ~€9 / 150ml
Apply to damp skin, lather gently for 30 seconds, rinse with lukewarm water. Follow immediately with HA serum while skin is still slightly damp.
5 molecular weights of HA · ceramides · panthenol B5 · 30ml
5 molecular weights of HA at 2% (surface to deep hydration), ceramides + sphingolipids for barrier, panthenol (B5) stimulates ceramide synthesis. Apply to damp skin.
Only formula combining multi-weight HA + ceramides + B5 at this price. No single alternative matches all three. Deciem is independent (not L'Oréal group). ~€13.50 / 30ml
Apply to damp skin immediately after cleansing. In dry environments under 40% humidity, seal immediately with moisturiser to prevent HA drawing moisture from deeper layers.
Stable ascorbyl glucoside at 15% · EGF peptide · brightening · 30ml
15% ascorbyl glucoside (same stable derivative as The Ordinary's 12%, but higher concentration), 1% Epitensive plant EGF for regeneration. pH 6.8–7.2 — zero sting, zero oxidation.
Higher C concentration than The Ordinary version, plus added EGF peptide. 87% reported visible brightening at 8 weeks. AM-only; antioxidant protection amplifies SPF. ~€15 / 30ml
Strictly AM — vitamin C provides photoprotection best utilised during the day and degrades under PM retinoid use. Apply before moisturiser, always finish with SPF.
Amino acids · fatty acids · beta glucan · oil-free · 100ml
NMF complex (amino acids, sodium PCA, urea, glycerin), fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic), ceramides, beta glucan for soothing + barrier support. Lightweight, absorbs instantly, non-greasy.
BYOMA doesn't ship to Belgium. The Ordinary NMF + Beta Glucan is The Ordinary's own recommendation for oily/combination skin — same brand as the HA serum, one store. 100ml for same price. ~€14 / 100ml
Apply a pea-sized amount over slightly damp skin. Oil-free, non-comedogenic — won't interfere with SPF adhesion. The 100ml size lasts 4–5 months with twice-daily use.
Full spectrum UVA/UVB/blue light/IR-A · Ectoin anti-aging enzyme · non-comedogenic · 40ml
Retinoids increase photosensitivity. Vitamin C only delivers its photoprotection benefit when backed by SPF. Sun damage is the single largest driver of visible aging — more than any serum.
Modern EU-exclusive photostable filters (incl. Tinosorb A2B), Ectoin® DNA-protection enzyme, vitamin E, GSP-T antioxidant complex. Fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic. Lalique Group owned — L'Oréal-free. Subtle warm tint eliminates white cast. ~€28–30 / 40ml
Always the absolute last AM step. Apply ¼ tsp (1.5ml) minimum — a pea-sized amount is half the clinical dose. Reapply every 2h during outdoor sun exposure. Apply 15 min before going outside.
Layering order: Water-based serums first (HA → Vitamin C), then moisturiser, then SPF last. Wait 30–60 sec between serums. Vitamin C is strictly AM — it degrades with PM retinoid use and its photoprotection benefit is wasted at night.
Retinoid nights — 2–3× / week, building to nightly over 6–8 weeks
Oil-based first cleanse · dissolves SPF completely · rinses clean · 150ml
Oil dissolves oil — the only way to properly break down SPF50+ sunscreen filters before your retinoid. Residual SPF on skin blocks retinoid penetration. Sucrose ester emulsifiers allow it to rinse clean with zero greasy residue.
Rinses completely clean without a flannel — no film left behind. Squalane + glycerin are skin-identical and non-comedogenic. Balm cleansers optimised for heavy makeup; unnecessary here. Same The Ordinary store. ~€12 / 150ml
Apply to dry skin, massage 60 seconds to dissolve SPF, then emulsify with water and rinse. Pat skin to slightly damp (not fully dry) before applying HA serum next.
Retinoid sandwich base · buffer reduces irritation · same bottle as AM
Apply HA serum before retinoid. This "sandwich" method reduces irritation during retinization — ceramides begin barrier repair that retinoids transiently disrupt. Allow 1–2 min to absorb.
Same bottle as morning — one 30ml lasts ~2 months at AM + PM use. In weeks 1–3, also apply a thin layer of NMF moisturiser before the retinoid for extra buffer. ~€13.50 / 30ml
For maximum gentleness in the first 4 weeks: moisturiser → HA → retinoid → moisturiser (full sandwich). Once skin is tolerant, simplify to: HA → retinoid → moisturiser.
Identical formula to The Ordinary · barrier support · sebum control · 30ml
Exactly 10% niacinamide + 1% zinc PCA in a 10-ingredient minimal base. Fragrance-free, oil-free. Available in 60ml for ~€10 — better value. Revolution is L'Oréal-free.
Identical formula to The Ordinary Niacinamide at the same price, on the same Lookfantastic EU store. Apply thinly — especially on drier cheeks. ~€8 / 30ml
Niacinamide pairs excellently with retinoids — it repairs what retinol transiently disrupts. Apply before retinoid on sensitive skin for an additional buffer layer.
Retinaldehyde · more potent than retinol · EU-made · soothing base · 30ml
One metabolic step closer to retinoic acid. 0.05% retinal ≈ 0.2–0.5% retinol in efficacy with fewer conversion irritation byproducts. Allantoin + panthenol + cloudberry oil for soothing.
Wk 1: 1×/week · Wks 2–3: 2×/week · Wks 4–6: every other night · Wk 7+: most nights. Ships duty-free EU-to-EU from Hungary. €13.80 / 30ml
Order with Power Peptides in the same G&G basket to reach the €50 free shipping threshold (~€30 combined). If retinal proves too potent, step down to INKEY List Retinol Serum via Lookfantastic EU.
Lock in retinoid · barrier seal · same pot as AM · 100ml
After retinoid, seal the barrier immediately. NMF complex replenishes skin-identical lipids retinoids temporarily deplete. Apply generously — don't wait for retinoid to absorb.
On very dry nights, layer The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides (~€15 / 100ml, also on Lookfantastic EU) over the top for a richer overnight seal. ~€14 / 100ml
One pot covers AM and PM use. At twice-daily application a 100ml jar lasts 4–5 months — excellent value and zero additional stores needed.
◈ Peptide nights — all other evenings
Keep steps 01, 02, and 05. Skip steps 03–04 entirely. Replace with Geek & Gorgeous Power Peptides (€15.80 / 30ml) — 4 fully-disclosed peptide technologies: 3% Matrixyl 3000, 2% Matrixyl Synthe'6, 4% TEGO PEP 4-17, encapsulated copper peptide. Works via collagen signaling — completely different mechanism to retinoids, zero irritation risk, usable every night. Apply 3–5 drops after HA serum, before NMF moisturiser. Also works AM. Never mix peptides with direct acids (AHA/BHA) — low pH denatures peptide bonds. Order alongside A-Game 5 to hit the G&G free shipping threshold.