The Ordinary

[QueenRedz]

hi! so I was wondering if the ordinary 20% vitamin F serum is any good? I have normal to dry skin, acne, dark spots (caused from old acne scars), and a little bit of roughness. I have fairly sensitive skin, it is reactant to strong scents, and I wanted to know if anyone with similar skin like mine has tried it. so plz let me know, I'll really appreciate it . Also, why is the ordinary ALWAYS out of stock??? can someone plz tell me!! I've been waiting since over a month to get the hyaluronic acid serum and it's very annoying to be honest.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@QueenRedz Here's the review from beautypedia; it got 3/5 stars:

Spoiler

The Ordinary sells several one-note products with various types and amounts of vitamin C—here's another one! Its fragrance-free, oily liquid texture is best for normal to dry skin.

Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that some research has shown is better able to penetrate skin. We're not debating that it's a good form of vitamin C, but chemists can take steps to ensure the desired penetration of other types of vitamin C. In other words, there isn't a single "best" form of vitamin C; all have merit for skin, and clearly The Ordinary thinks so, too, or they would just pick one form of vitamin C and sell that or put several into one formula for one stellar product rather than offer several so-so options!

What about the vitamin F? As it turns out, there's no such thing as vitamin F. It's a made-up term this brand and a few others use to refer to essential fatty acids, in this case those derived from coconut, jojoba, and linoleic acid. While those are good, we can think of better fatty acids to use, but, given this product's relatively low price, it's a minor quibble.

On balance, this formula lacks a mix of the beneficial anti-aging ingredients found in today's best serums and moisturizers; however, if you're curious to see what this form of vitamin C can do for your skin, it might be worth checking out. If that sounds like a wishy-washy recommendation from us, that's because it is. While this product isn't as one-note as others from The Ordinary, we only recommend it if you're already using an anti-aging skincare routine with products chockful of a range of beneficial ingredients.

PROS:

• Contains a form of vitamin C research has shown to be effective.
• Smooth, skin-softening liquid oil texture laced with fatty acids.
• Inexpensive.
• Fragrance free.

CONS:

• Lacks the mix of skin-repairing and skin-restorative ingredients that today's best serums and boosters have.
• The form of vitamin C it contains is not the best; The Ordinary doesn't seem to think so either, as it sells other products with a concentrated form of different types of vitamin C.

[QueenRedz]

thank u for this! also honestly, the ordinary uses a bunch of names that most people don't know exactly what they are since they are ingredients. so using words like "vitamin F", most people are like "ummmm what is this??". its just something to think about and i think they should change their names to something simpler and majority will understand

[Alexiana]

UnOrdinary is always out of stock because it’s actually one of the best serums out there. Not many serums would label the percentage.

[Alexiana]

Since you’re sensitive skin, I recommend 5% Vitamin C concentration instead of 20%. Klairs vitamin C serum is what I recommend. But if you really want to try UnOrdinary, then dilute a drop with a moisturizer and test it on your hand, then the edge of your jaw bone. If it still burns, then it’s best to go for a 5% concentration.

[QueenRedz]

I actually got the vitamin F oil by The Ordinary, and it was actually fine for my skin. it didn't burn or cause any severe reaction. however, it did make me break out a little bit, but when I did some research, I found that vitamin C actually promotes cell turnover (speeds up skin cell cycle) and the product was just bringing all of the dirt and dead skin cells to the surface which made me break out more than usual in areas that I typically do. so, i can't say much about it because I've been using it since just 2 weeks, but I don't have any complains, and the pimples that appeared are going away. the only thing I'll say that bothers me a little, is THE SMELL. it has like a chemically smell. its not good