The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
At a glance
Summary
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 scores 78/100. A no-frills hydration serum delivering multi-weight hyaluronic acid (low, medium, and high molecular weights) plus panthenol B5 — meaningful evidence-based hydration actives. The formula has been reformulated in 2024 to add ceramides (Ceramide NP, AP, NG) to support barrier repair. No fragrance, no essential oils, no parabens, no sulfates. Points lost for the propanediol/butylene-glycol-heavy base, phenoxyethanol preservative, and a few synthetic chelators/pH adjusters. Owned by Estée Lauder via Deciem since 2021. A genuinely affordable, evidence-based hydration product.
Key ingredients 22
Hyaluronic Acid (low + medium + high molecular weight)Very Good
Multi-weight hyaluronic acid delivers hydration at different skin depths. The Ordinary specifically formulates this as three distinct molecular weights for surface + intermediate + deep hydration.
See more about Hyaluronic Acid (low + medium + high molecular weight) →Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)Very Good
Converts to pantothenic acid in skin; humectant and supports barrier repair.
See more about Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) →Ceramide APVery Good
Alpha-hydroxy ceramide; barrier-supportive.
See more about Ceramide AP →PropanediolGood
Corn-fermentation-derived humectant. Cleaner alternative to propylene glycol.
See more about Propanediol →Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerGood
Crosslinked hyaluronic acid; forms a hydrating film on skin surface.
See more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer →Sodium HyaluronateGood
Salt form of hyaluronic acid; more stable in formulation.
See more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Ceramide NPGood
Identical to a ceramide found in healthy human skin barrier.
See more about Ceramide NP →Ceramide NGGood
Ceramide species supporting barrier integrity.
See more about Ceramide NG →PhytosphingosineGood
Sphingolipid precursor; supports ceramide synthesis.
See more about Phytosphingosine →CholesterolGood
Native skin lipid; essential for healthy barrier.
See more about Cholesterol →GlycerinGood
Humectant.
See more about Glycerin →Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf ExtractGood
Tasmanian pepperberry; calms skin irritation from active ingredients.
See more about Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract →Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateGood
Biodegradable chelator (EDTA alternative).
See more about Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate →WaterNeutral
Solvent base. Inert.
See more about Water →Butylene GlycolNeutral
Mild synthetic humectant/solvent.
See more about Butylene Glycol →Pentylene GlycolNeutral
Plant-fermentation-derived humectant.
See more about Pentylene Glycol →Xanthan GumNeutral
Fermentation-derived thickener, well tolerated at food-use levels.
See more about Xanthan Gum →Sodium HydroxideNeutral
pH adjuster.
See more about Sodium Hydroxide →Citric AcidNeutral
pH adjuster.
See more about Citric Acid →Phenoxyethanol
Synthetic preservative considered safer than parabens but can irritate sensitive skin at higher use levels. EU caps at 1%.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →CarrageenanBad
Seaweed-derived thickener linked in some studies to gut inflammation.
See more about Carrageenan →EthylhexylglycerinBad
Synthetic preservative-booster — CIR-safe and well-tolerated, but a petroleum-derived synthetic that clean brands typically replace with food-grade/natural systems. Minor clean-beauty demerit.
See more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
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