In 2025, everyone is talking about growth factors. They’re not exactly new, but if the sheer amount of products now boasting growth factors (GF) are any indication, they’re the “cool kids” of skin care. By stimulating cell growth, regeneration and healing, growth factors, a protein made up of peptides, can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, plump skin, and improve firmness, elasticity and hydration. If you’re looking for a youthful glow sans injections, adding a growth factor serum into your routine can yield wow-worthy results over time.
Growth factors’ important role in repairing damaged cells and promoting collagen and elastin is finally getting its well-earned accolades, but the innovative ingredient means most growth factor serums don’t come cheap. Luckily, there’s one brand we can always count of for unfussy, effective skin care: The Ordinary. The Canadian brand is known for its simple clinical formulations (hence the name, The Ordinary) that rarely go above $20, and they’ve managed to do it again. The Ordinary recently launched GF 15% Solution, a serum boasting three types of growth factors, for just $15.50.
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution: What’s in It
The Ordinary’s GF 15% Solution is a water-based serum that boasts a blend of plant-based EGF, or epidermal growth factors, for skin renewal, IGF, or insulin-like growth factors, for regeneration and TGF, or transforming growth factors, for collagen support. According to the brand, these three technologies target fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, dull tone, loss of elasticity and rough texture on the face and neck. In a clinical study, participants who used GF 15% Solution twice a day reported “visible wrinkle repair” in one week and firmer skin on the face and neck in four weeks.
What Shoppers Are Saying
GF 15% Solution hasn’t been out long, but reviewers are already leaving their unfiltered thoughts. Notably, users over the age of 40 are raving over the serum’s “potency” against signs of aging—especially for the price. “After thee weeks of using this I can confidently say that it’s a great product to help replenish and repair skin. Helps with blemishes, red marks, scarring, fine lines etc.” says one 40-year old. A shopper with “dry, mature skin” calls GF 15% Solution a “must-have” because their skin is “firmer, smoother and glowing.”
“I’ve seen remarkable changes in my skin,” says a 50-something shopper. “The dry patches have completely disappeared, my skin feels more hydrated, and even the fine lines have started to soften. With continued use, I’m confident they’ll fade entirely.” Additionally, several reviewers praised the lightness of the serum, reporting it absorbs in seconds without leaving behind any “tackiness,” only a “light, natural glow.”