The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 8.91 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sphingolipids, Tocopherol
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sphingolipids
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Humectant
Phospholipids (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Phospholipids (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Phospholipids →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →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 →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Sodium Citrate
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Trisodium citrate
Learn more about Sodium Citrate →Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chelating
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
Learn more about Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate →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 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster
Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
- View the comparison
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Geek & Gorgeous
HA 5 Light
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster
COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum