Review: The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% Ferulic Acid 3%

Eyebrows on 10 when I saw that The Ordinary was serving up a Resveratrol-Ferulic Acid Solution ($7.90). Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid are both antioxidants, which I wanted to include in my skin care regimen with intent. Before I get into that, let’s get some key facts down before I jump into this review, which should answer the question as to why one would want or need to rub this all over their face.

What is an antioxidant and why does my skin want them?

Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to the skin by neutralizing or stopping the oxidative stress that can lead to aging. External (extrinsic) sources of this include environmental factors that cause aging such as exposure to UV rays. Intrinsic (or internal) sources of aging are genetic and lead to the natural thinning of the skin and barrier function loss as you age. So in plain language, and as it relates to this review, antioxidants that we rub on our skin are used to slow down the aging process.

Why Resveratrol?

The Ordinary sources its resveratrol from Japanese Knotwood, the original source of resveratrol. Resveratrol is more commonly known to be found in the skin of grapes and yes, red wine. 🍷 Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant and can provide photoprotection (see page 4) when taken orally or applied topically.

Why Ferulic Acid?

Ferulic Acid is an antioxidant that comes from plants. It also has photoprotection properties when applied topically. In addition ferulic acid has been shown to prevent or aid in the prevention of all kinds of serious ailments! If this did not have propanediol in it, I would be adding two or three drops of this stuff to my water every damn day.

The Review

My skin type

Oily and scarred. I have hyperpigmentation from old acne. Every month, I get one or two zits from a hormonal breakout, usually on my cheeks and/or chin.

What it’s supposed to do

Photoprotection, anti-aging

Ingredients

Propanediol, Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid

Six percent of the solution is the ferulic acid and resveratrol so the other 94% must be the propanediol, which to my understanding is just a skin conditioner (filler).

How I use it

I use this two ways: as a standalone moisturizer during the last step of my regimen,and inside of my Ultimate Beauty Oil.

I also used it a few times with The Ordinary’s Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, as ferulic acid and vitamin c has been shown to play extremely well together. I abandoned this because I wanted to test it on its own, and also because I need to be using it with l-ascorbic acid. The Ordinary has been teasing an l-ascorbic acid powder for some time and I’m already plotting.

How long I used it

I used it on its own for a while, but the joy factor was low. After I ran out of my Ultimate Beauty Oil, I remade a batch using this oil in place of The Ordinary’s Squalane. In total I have been using it for a month and a half.

What I like about it

I like using this in my Ultimate Beauty Oil more than I enjoyed using the Squalane or the Virgin Marula Oil. It’s lighter than the both of them, and seeps in more into my skin. I don’t feel like it’s just sitting on top of my skin and when I go to bed at night I’m not so worried about it getting on my pillowcase. I have oily skin and this suffices as a moisturizer. Sometimes I will use a sleeping mask after but not often. I will start doing that more, though, because Winter is Coming. 💀

What could be better

I think this product might be as good as it gets. It’s a skin care product that you don’t really see the effects of right away, but certainly proven to be effective. It works by lending an assist when it comes to preventing aging; I’m not certain that can be measured with the eyeball. Dressing this up with vitamin c is how I am going to make this better. For something as basic as this, it does give me more joy than many of the other products from The Ordinary.

Joy Factor

Where to indulge

The Ordinary

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