The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) — Efficacy 4.1/5.0, Safety 4.8/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
The Ordinary

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

SerumHydration
Efficacy
Strong
4.1 / 5.0
Safety
Excellent
4.8 / 5.0
System Verdict
A solid hydration serum, but nothing more than that. The efficacy score is driven by a strong humectant base: multiple forms of hyaluronic acid sit near the top of the list, with panthenol and glycerin adding real water-binding support. The score stays below elite levels because this is primarily a hydration formula, not a treatment serum; there are no high-evidence correction actives, and the red algae extract is more of a texture/support ingredient than a true driver of performance.
Active Ingredients Detected
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerPanthenolGlycerin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateIsoceteth-20EthoxydiglycolHexylene Glycol
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
What Each Ingredient Does
Aqua (Water)
solvent base
Sodium Hyaluronate
main humectant
Pentylene Glycol
humectant solvent
Propanediol
humectant solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
long-wear humectant
Panthenol
soothing humectant
Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
texture support
Glycerin
classic humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
chelating agent
Citric Acid
pH adjuster
Isoceteth-20
solubilizer
Ethoxydiglycol
solvent carrier
Ethylhexylglycerin
preservative booster
Hexylene Glycol
solvent humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
humectant preservative
Phenoxyethanol
preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
humectant preservative
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Frequently Asked

Is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) worth it?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 4.8 out of 5.0 for safety (Excellent) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. A solid hydration serum, but nothing more than that. The efficacy score is driven by a strong humectant base: multiple forms of hyaluronic acid sit near the top of the list, with panthenol and glycerin adding real water-

What are the key active ingredients in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) contains no gold-standard actives — its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation). It scores 4.8 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-09-12. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.