The Ordinary
Pycnogenol 5%
Pycnogenol 5%
The Ordinary
pycnogenol-5
Serum
9784787304741
Morning or Evening?
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Antioxidant serum with 5% Pycnogenol
FEATURES
Oil-like formula that helps support skin against oxidative stress, brightens skin
BEST FOR
normal
CHECKS
Water-free, alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free
Who Is It For?
All Ages All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Brightening Antioxidant Protection Skin ElasticityBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What The Ordinary Says
Product Description:
An antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps to brighten your skin
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Propanediol, Pinus-Pinaster-Bark-Extract
Key Ingredients
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract (Pycnogenol)
Ingredients Details
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Common Name(s): Pinus pinaster bark extract
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection โ uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors โ that translate to skin benefits.
How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-ฮบb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.
Typically Found In: Serums,toners,moisturizers,masks,essences
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Botanical extracts
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,ceramides
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1โ50 ยตm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; phytochemical and ethnobotanical literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Propanediol
Common Name(s): 1,3-propanediol,zemea,bio-propanediol
CAS Number: 504-63-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant and solvent functionality from sustainable corn-based fermentation.
Why It's Used: Bio-based propylene glycol alternative from renewable corn โ propanediol provides equivalent functionality to propylene glycol with sustainable renewable feedstock and superior skin feel.
How It Works: Two oh groups provide humectant water binding. excellent solvent for fragrances, actives, and preservatives. mild antimicrobial from diol structure for preservative system boosting. renew corn fermentation origin (dupont zemea process). better skin feel than propylene glycol โ less sticky.
Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic categories as pg alternative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from corn sugar fermentation
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Propanediol's dupont tate & lyle bio products 'zemea' process ferments corn sugar to 1,3-propanediol using engineered e. coli โ one of the first commercially viable bio-fermentation routes to a cosmetic diol previously made only from petroleum. the renewable route produces chemically identical 1,3-propanediol while reducing carbon footprint by approximately 40% vs petrochemical synthesis.
Last Verified: Cosing database,dupont tate & lyle zemea technical data,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12