The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Review

While you may be familiar with the budget skincare brand The Ordinary and their affordable products like hydrating superstar Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, did you know they offer other effective hydrating serums like The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5?

Amino Acids + B5 is The Ordinary’s take on a super lightweight hydrating serum. It contains amino acids combined with pro-vitamin B5 for extra hydration.

In this The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 review, I’ll discuss my experience with this serum and share my honest opinion on whether I think it’s worth adding to your skincare routine.

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This water-based serum contains a 17% combined total concentration by weight of amino acids and amino acid derivatives. These compounds mimic your skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMFs).

NMFs are components of your skin’s outermost layer that help retain moisture and keep your skin soft and hydrated and are excellent for dry skin.

The serum also contains 5% by weight pro-vitamin B5 to provide surface and below-surface hydration.

Pro-vitamin B5 helps replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier, soothes and softens skin, and improves skin elasticity.

While you might think this serum is only for those with a dry skin type, it can benefit all skin types since everyone needs hydration.

It’s such a lightweight serum, so it might especially appeal to you if you have a combination or oily skin type.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Key Ingredients

• Betaine: Derived from sugar beets, betaine is an amino acid that helps reduce moisture loss from the skin.
• PCA and Sodium PCA: Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid (PCA) and Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid are naturally occurring components of the skin. They are natural moisturizing factors that help attract and retain moisture.
• Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5): This form of Vitamin B helps to retain moisture and improve the skin’s barrier function.
• Sodium Lactate: The sodium salt of lactic acid, sodium lactate is a humectant and moisturizer that helps keep skin hydrated.
• Arginine: An amino acid and skin-identical ingredient that is a natural moisturizing factor and an active ingredient that offers anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, and Glutamic Acid: These are amino acids that help to increase skin’s moisture levels and strengthen the skin barrier.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Review

The first thing I noticed about Amino Acids + B5 is its consistency. It is so lightweight that it feels almost like water on my skin. It absorbs pretty quickly.

After it dries, while my skin feels hydrated, it almost feels like there is nothing on my skin. While The Ordinary notes you may experience tingling after application, I didn’t feel any.

This lightweight texture makes it super easy to incorporate into my skincare routine, both day and night since it is so weightless. It doesn’t interfere with other products (skincare or makeup), so it is very versatile.

I like using it under retinol products at night since retinol tends to dry out my skin.

It’s also perfect for those days when my skin feels dehydrated and tight. I make sure to follow up with a nourishing moisturizer, like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.

The serum plumps my skin and temporarily fills in fine lines for a smoother complexion.

Do I think Amino Acids + B5 is worth it?

I do. I reach for it more often than other hyaluronic acid serums since I prefer the texture of Amino Acids + B5, and it gives me similar results.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Conflicts

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 has no conflicts, so you can use it with any other product in your skincare routine.

NOTE: The Ordinary recommends using no more than three serums at the same time for optimal skin penetration.

How To Use The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5

After cleansing and toning your face, apply a few drops of Amino Acids + B5 to your face and neck. You can use Amino Acids + B5 in both your morning and evening skincare routines.

Follow with your moisturizer or any oils, suspensions, or creams. And don’t forget sunscreen in your morning skin care routine!

The Ordinary notes that you may experience a temporary tingling sensation after application due to the high strength of the amino acids. (I didn’t notice any tingling on my somewhat sensitive skin.)

If the serum is too irritating, it can be mixed with other creams or serums before each application to reduce its strength. 

Use only on unbroken skin. The serum is good for 12 months after opening.

It’s always a good idea to patch test this serum and any new skincare product before using it for the first time to avoid an adverse initial reaction.

See my post on how to layer The Ordinary products for more info on using The Ordinary serums in your skincare regimen.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Alternatives

If Amino Acids + B5 doesn’t hydrate your skin enough or isn’t the right The Ordinary serum for you, there are many alternatives to hydrate your skin.

These two from The Ordinary are both super affordable and effective.

The serum combines three molecular weight hyaluronic acids: low, medium, and high molecular weights, plus a next-generation HA crosspolymer to deliver hydration to multiple levels of your skin.

The water-based serum also contains pro-vitamin B5 to improve outer layer skin hydration for softer, smoother skin.

The result is improved and long-lasting hydration. Another benefit is that the serum improves the look of wrinkles and textural irregularities.

In a clinical study*, users experienced skin hydration after a week and an improved skin barrier after four weeks, with a reduction in the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

The most noticeable difference between Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Amino Acids + B5 is serum texture and consistency.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is much thicker and tackier on the skin than Amino Acids + B5. It also takes longer to absorb and dry.

For more details on The Ordinary hyaluronic acid, see my The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 review post.

* In this clinical study, 34 subjects applied the product 2x/day for 4 weeks.

The serum contains exopolysaccharides from skin-friendly marine bacteria, Hawaiian red algae, glycoproteins from Antarctic marine sources, micro-filtered blue-green algae, and several amino acids.

So it’s very similar to Amino Acids + B5, but with marine-based hydrators.

Amino Acids + B5 and Marine Hyaluronics are even priced the same. They both feel and perform very similarly to me.

Please see my The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics review post for more details on my experience with this serum.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Review: The Bottom Line

Lightweight hydration for under $10? That’s a no-brainer.

I think The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 is an excellent choice for those who prefer a light, natural moisturizing serum.

It helps to restore the skin’s barrier function and keep it hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy.

Plus, it’s affordable and can be used with other products in your skincare routine.

While other The Ordinary serums for dry skin may get the spotlight, this no-frills dry skin serum gets the job done.

Thanks for reading!

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