Pycnogenol 5%
An oil-like antioxidant serum derived from French maritime pine bark that helps brighten skin and protect against oxidative stress.
A niche antioxidant option for people who want something highly targeted and are already building a thoughtful routine around antioxidants.
Pycnogenol is a clinically studied OPC complex with real published evidence behind it — and it remains relatively obscure in consumer skincare compared to vitamin C or niacinamide. The Ordinary is one of the only brands offering it at 5% at an accessible price, making it appealing to informed routine builders who have been aware of the research and waiting for a practical option.
After water-based serums and before moisturizer — morning or evening. If used morning, apply before SPF. The oil-like carrier base means it belongs after water-based steps and before heavier emollients.
Skincare enthusiasts who have researched OPC antioxidants, people with redness-prone skin that also deals with dullness, and anyone who has already optimised their vitamin C and wants to explore a complementary antioxidant pathway.
If you are adding it to an already over-saturated routine just for novelty. Pycnogenol works best as a deliberate antioxidant layer rather than a random add-on to an already complex stack.
The carrier oil base is generally gentle and barrier-friendly. If the full routine needs stripping back, this can be paused without loss — it is a support step, not a structural one.
- Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% on alternating days for rotating antioxidant coverage
- A vitamin C serum in the same morning routine for multi-pathway antioxidant support
- SPF 30+ over the top — antioxidants and UV protection work synergistically
Best For
- Antioxidant support
- Dull skin
- Brighter-looking skin
- Environmental stress support
- Advanced routines
How to Use
Apply after water-based serums and before moisturizer. Can be used morning or evening. Patch test before full-face use.
Key Ingredients
Pycnogenol neutralizes free radicals through its OPC antioxidant complex, inhibits enzymes that degrade collagen and elastin (matrix metalloproteinases), stimulates collagen synthesis, has anti-inflammatory action through NF-κB pathway inhibition, and has been shown in clinical studies to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and the appearance of photoaged skin.
Full Ingredient List
About This Product
The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% delivers a concentrated dose of Pycnogenol — a standardised extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees (Pinus pinaster) — at 5% in a carrier oil-based format. Pycnogenol is a proprietary OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidin complex) with strong antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and clinical evidence supporting skin hydration, elasticity, and the visible reduction of UV-induced oxidative stress over time. It is a niche antioxidant active — less well-known than vitamin C or resveratrol, but with a compelling body of research behind it. The 5% concentration exceeds most Pycnogenol applications in cosmetic formulations, where 0.5–2% is typical.