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The Ordinary

B Oil.

The Ordinary B Oil
Serums

About this product

A lightweight facial oil combining omega fatty acids and microalgae extracts, designed to hydrate, nourish, and support the skin barrier.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

84%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement
5Gurus
5Yay
0Mixed
0Nay

What they liked

  • Restores skin barrier and calms irritation
  • Mild earthy scent fades once applied
  • Affordable at £9 for 30ml

What they flagged

  • Too heavy over sunscreen and makeup
  • Unpleasant smell straight from the bottle

What the gurus are saying

This oil earns consistent praise for its ability to deeply hydrate and repair a compromised skin barrier, with gurus noting that even one drop delivers visible softness and glow. The microalgae extracts pack antioxidant protection, though the formula does carry an earthy scent from the algae that fades once applied. Those with very dry or irritated skin may want to apply just a drop or two on top of moisturizer at night, as layering it under morning sunscreen and makeup can feel heavy and increase the chance of flaking.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take December 2024

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Yay
"I am going to use The Ordinary B Oil and I've been kind of doing closer to two pumps lately and then I'm going to do about three drops of the oil right on the back of my hand mix it up. It just makes it a richer layer but it absorbs in a lighter layer on my skin. This feels lovely."
All 6 takes from Kelly Driscoll
PM Chit-Chat Skincare Routine | Well Aging, Getting Older, Wellness
"I am going to use The Ordinary B Oil and I've been kind of doing closer to two pumps lately and then I'm going to do about three drops of the oil right on the back of my hand mix it up. It just makes it a richer layer but it absorbs in a lighter layer on my skin. This feels lovely."
Ranking Summer Skincare Empties! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"I also have emptied The Ordinary B Oil, which is another longtime favorite. It's so affordable and easy for me to keep on hand all the time. 10 out of 10, I absolutely love this. The Ordinary tried to discontinue this, but I think they got a ton of pushback because they quietly undid it, so for the time being this is still available. 10 out of 10."
2024 Skincare Wins and Lessons | PM Routine
"I really kind of spread out those actives right in my routine and that's where I really saw the results. The Ordinary B Oil, I'm just going to mix in about three drops of the oil."
10 Tips to Fight Dehydration this Winter!
"The B Oil from The Ordinary has a really nice mix of Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids and has really been kind of obsessively researched to find that perfect balance."
4 MORE Skincare Ingredients that Changed My Skin | pt 2
"This is another oil blend that I like. Especially when I'm on a tight budget, I reach for this blend because of the price point. You save a couple of bucks, and when you're on a tight budget that really matters. I really like this affordable blend. It does lean a little bit more for dryness. The oils they're using have a little bit more Omega 9, which is very helpful for dryness in the skin. But I still find a lot of benefit from using it, especially in colder weather. It really has a soothing effect for my skin."
I'm Breaking Out! Routine for Breakouts and Hyperpigmentation
"I'm going to do just a few drops of the oil which is also a nice barrier supportive type of oil"
Yay
"It's packed full of antioxidants and so it's going to deeply nourish, hydrate, soften the skin, and you've got a pack full of antioxidant protection too. Those algae extracts, the algae itself, is really great and quite innovative in skincare. There are other marine-based products but you don't see a lot of them. [...] This is one of the best facial oils I have ever used. [...] You can either use it at the end of your skincare routine for some extra hydration or you can [...] mix it in with your favorite moisturizer then apply it. It'll just double down on the benefits of that moisturizer, get you some antioxidant protection, and feels so good. I'm quite lavish with this. I even use it on the body mixed in with my moisturizer because it gives you the softest skin, perfect for summer. At £9 for 30ml, I think now [...] is the best time to buy it."
Top Pick: facial oil
All 2 takes from Mad About Skin
Exclusive: THE ORDINARY SERUMS DISCONTINUED - Is Your Favourite Impacted?
"The B Oil is kind of innovative, it's different. It's a really well formulated and good selling product from The Ordinary."
THE ORDINARY DISCONTINUING SERUMS - Is Your Favourite Gone?
"It's packed full of antioxidants and so it's going to deeply nourish, hydrate, soften the skin, and you've got a pack full of antioxidant protection too. Those algae extracts, the algae itself, is really great and quite innovative in skincare. There are other marine-based products but you don't see a lot of them. [...] This is one of the best facial oils I have ever used. [...] You can either use it at the end of your skincare routine for some extra hydration or you can [...] mix it in with your favorite moisturizer then apply it. It'll just double down on the benefits of that moisturizer, get you some antioxidant protection, and feels so good. I'm quite lavish with this. I even use it on the body mixed in with my moisturizer because it gives you the softest skin, perfect for summer. At £9 for 30ml, I think now [...] is the best time to buy it."
Yay
"It's a really good oil"
All 2 takes from Nipun Kapur
1 Step Glass Skin Routine For A Flawless Complexion This Winter!
"It's a really good oil"
Winter essentials for glass skin | Nipun Kapur
"The B Oil by The Ordinary is a new launch with a disgusting smell but the most hydrating formula. It works on your skin barrier like a dream, so anybody who has a broken skin barrier, rashes, or sensitivity issues, one [...] drop when you pat it into your skin gives you radiance and glow. It's also fabulous for [...] irritated skin and your skin barrier. It's a thin, lightweight oil, so don't squeeze the entire dropper and slather it on; use maximum one drop."
Yay
"It contains a greenish yellow hue and also has an earthy scent to it. It's not a strong scent, but it's very earthy. The scent and the color come from the micro algae. Once this is applied to your skin, honestly, you don't smell it anymore, at least from my experience. But I'm telling you, if your skin is super tight and you really need moisture and your skin is very dry, go with this one. Put this on top of your moisturizer. Go in with your serums, then go in with your moisturizer, put this on top. You really only need a couple of drops, and then just pat it into your skin. I'm telling you, this brings your skin back to life. You will have this nice glow to your skin even after rinsing your skincare off the next morning. You will have this glow. Your skin will feel softer as well, and it really improves the skin barrier. I'm not the biggest fan of facial oils. I will tell you, this isn't something that I reach for often, but when my skin really needs it, especially during the winter months, this is the one that I'm always going with because it never ever disappoints. You can use this every day, twice a day, but when it comes to facial oils, I just use this at night time because I feel like when I incorporate it in my morning routine it's just too much. When you put sunscreen and makeup on top of it, it just becomes too heavy, and then of course your chances of peeling are a lot higher. So I use this at night time, but of course you can do whatever you want. You can also use this in the morning."
Yay
"If you're looking for an oil that makes you glow, most oils make you glow when you first put the product on because you have oil on your face, but even when you remove this, when you take this off, I found that over time my skin is more glowy. It's more supported. It has a better moisture barrier. My acid mantle is protected with this one. It has made my skin better both when I'm using it and when I'm not. This B Oil is just phenomenal and fun."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is The Ordinary B Oil?

A lightweight facial oil combining omega fatty acids and microalgae extracts, designed to hydrate, nourish, and support the skin barrier.

Is The Ordinary B Oil worth it?

Yes. All 5 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

What is The Ordinary B Oil's Guru Score?

The Ordinary B Oil holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is The Ordinary B Oil best for?

The Ordinary B Oil is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

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