The Ordinary launches new growth factor serum ...

The Ordinary’s new serum – Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum – promises to repair the skin and help with the signs of ageing

The Ordinary is a firm favourite of ours at mamabella. It stands for many of the same things we stand for – affordability, inclusivity and science-led, effective formulas – and is a staple in our skincare cabinet.

Which is why we were excited to see the brand release a new serum, officially called The Ordinary Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum.

The brand claims its “a potent formula” aimed at tackling signs of ageing, repairing skin, and enhancing radiance. Here’s everything you need to know about the product, as well as growth factors generally.

We’ve also ordered the serum so we can put it to the test and will add it to our best face serum article if it makes the cut.

What is The Ordinary Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum?

The Ordinary

The Ordinary’s new serum is designed to target visible signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and loss of elasticity. It also helps improve the appearance of rough or damaged skin.

At the core of its formula, and as the name suggests, is a 15% solution of plant-based biomimetic growth factors, including Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF), and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF).

Plant-based means that the growth factors have been developed in a lab, rather than taken from animals or similar, while biomimetic means that they’ve been designed to work exactly like the growth factors found naturally in the skin. As a result, this should limit any irritation or similar as your body will just think it’s a natural process.

The specific benefits of each growth factor is as follows:

• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): Stimulates skin cell regeneration and supports healing.
• Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF): Promotes collagen production and improves elasticity.
• Transforming Growth Factor (TGF): Helps with skin repair and reduces inflammation.

Other ingredients in the new The Ordinary growth factor serum include:

• Peptides: Peptides replicate the effects of natural growth factors in the skin. They help reduce signs of ageing and make the skin look firmer.
• Glycerin: This is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.

When to apply growth factor serum?

For best results, apply the serum twice a day, in the morning and evening. After cleansing and toning, put a few drops into your hands and gently pat it onto your face. Follow with your usual moisturiser and SPF during the day to protect your skin. Read more in our guide: How to layer skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products.

Price and availability

The Ordinary Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum is on sale now for £13.50 in a 30ml bottle. You can currently buy it from Cult Beauty and The Ordinary.

The Ordinary's new GF serum

What is The Ordinary serum good for?

The Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum is formulated to:

The Ordinary

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Improve skin texture and elasticity.
• Brighten dull or uneven skin.
• Strengthen the skin barrier.

Its combination of growth factors, glycerin, and plant-based actives makes it suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

What are growth factors in skincare?

Growth factors are proteins found naturally in our bodies and they’re important for giving us healthy skin.

They are produced by cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and immune cells, and they act as signalling molecules that help regulate different biological processes.

In skincare, growth factors are used to repair skin by encouraging cell growth.

How do growth factors work in skincare?

Growth factors work by sending signals to skin cells, stimulating them to produce components like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. These are also used by the skin cells to maintain the skin’s structure, how firm it is, its elasticity, and how hydrated it.

As we get older, our natural production of growth factors drops and this is a large part of the reason why our skin starts looking older, and why we get sagging, fine lines, wrinkles and more.

By introducing growth factors through skincare, products like The Ordinary’s Growth Factor 15% Solution Serum promise to mimic these natural processes, boost production of the components or at least slow their decline.

This is why growth factor serums can help improve overall skin health, repair your skin barrier – and all the benefits that come from this including more even skin tone and less redness – and improves firmness.

FURTHER READING: How your skin changes in each decade of your life – and what to do about it

Are growth factors safe?

Growth factors in skincare are generally safe for most people.

The growth factors used in products like The Ordinary’s serum are designed to replicate the effects of naturally occurring proteins without causing irritation.

As a result, they’ve been designed to be suitable for sensitive skin and offer an alternative to potentially harsher ingredients like retinol or acids.

That said, as with any skincare product, we recommend you do a patch test before throwing the serum all over your face. Just in case!

FURTHER READING: Retinol for beginners: How to get started with the best retinol products and retinol alternatives

Does growth factor serum really work?

The Ordinary

Clinical research has found that growth factors in topical products can help heal wounds, improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and make skin look healthier.

One study found that a serum containing human growth factors and cytokines “significantly reduced signs of aging, such as wrinkles, roughness, and uneven texture.” Participants saw noticeable improvements in skin appearance with consistent use.

Another found that skincare routines with growth factors incorporated can improve skin texture, fine lines, and photodamage, while a third study was a research review of various clinical trials that showed growth factors can improve signs of skin ageing, particularly when using a mix of proteins, like those found in The Ordinary GF serum. Note this third study didn’t include The Ordinary’s serum, but is representative of products like it.

However, a fourth study found that while growth factors improved skin appearance and wrinkles for all participants, the results and efficacy varied depending on the person.

As a result, while results may vary depending on skin type and usage, growth factor serums have been shown to be beneficial for ageing or damaged skin when used consistently.

Is growth factor serum better than retinol?

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Growth factor serums and retinol serve different purposes, so whether one is “better” depends on your skin type, goals and needs.

Retinol is a well-established and well-studied ingredient that speeds up how quickly your cells turnover. This helps target fine lines, and improves texture. However, it can cause irritation and sensitivity, especially for people with dry or reactive skin because it creates more of an impact and is more powerful.

Growth factor serums, on the other hand, are more focused on repair and regeneration. This makes them gentler than retinol, while still good at addressing signs of ageing. They’re better for people who can’t tolerate retinol or want to complement it with a product that strengthens and rebuilds the skin barrier.

In this way, there is room for both products in your skincare routine.

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