The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)A serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 8.01 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
AUD 84.95 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid2
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.

Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Phytosphingosine, Squalane
Smoothing6
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Squalane

Concerns

May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Squalane

Ingredients Side-by-side

Skin Conditioning
Humectant
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
3 / 2
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
2 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aqua
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)

The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- View the comparison

Alpha-H
Vitamin E Serum with 1% Ceramide Complex

Alpha-H
Vitamin A Serum with 0.3% Retinol and 1% Bio-Retinoid
- View the comparison

The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)

Geek & Gorgeous
HA 5 Rich
- View the comparison

Alpha-H
Vitamin E Serum with 1% Ceramide Complex

Kiehl's
Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum with 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid