Delivers lightweight, multi-level skin hydration without heaviness or stickiness when layered properly.
Can a budget hyaluronic acid serum actually quench thirsty skin without leaving a sticky film? I tested The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 across weeks, climates, and under makeup to see if this affordable favorite is a hit or a miss.
Few budget serums are as hyped as The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. For under the price of a couple coffees, you get multi-weight hyaluronic acid to pull water into the skin and panthenol (vitamin B5) to soothe. The pitch is simple: lightweight hydration for everyone, morning and night. The catch is more practical: texture, layering, climate, and expectations can make or break your results.
Overview
This is a water-based, fragrance-free, alcohol-free serum designed to hydrate. The formula uses a combination of low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acids, plus a crosspolymer form, all adding up to 2%. That mix aims to attract and hold water at different levels of the skin’s surface. Vitamin B5 (panthenol) supports the moisture barrier and helps calm tightness and mild irritation.
It comes in The Ordinary’s familiar dropper bottle in 30 ml and 60 ml sizes. The texture is a clear, slightly viscous gel-serum that spreads best on damp skin. There are no perfumes or essential oils, and it is oil-free and vegan. On paper, it is a universal hydrator that plays well with most routines.
In real life, performance depends on how you apply it, what you layer over it, and your environment. Used correctly, it gives quick, visible plumping of fine dehydration lines and leaves skin soft. Used on dry skin without a follow-up moisturizer, especially in very dry air, it can feel tight or even a little drying. That is not a flaw in hyaluronic acid itself, but a sign you need to seal it in.
Who it’s for
Think of this serum as a water magnet that boosts hydration rather than a standalone moisturizer. It suits a wide range of skin types when used with the right topcoat.
- Oily and combination: Great as a light hydration step that does not add oil. Pair with a gel or lightweight cream to avoid midday shine.
- Normal and dehydrated: A reliable daily hydrator that makes skin look bouncier and keeps makeup from clinging to dry patches.
- Dry: Helpful as a first hydrating layer, but you will need a richer cream on top. In winter or in arid climates, consider sealing with a slightly occlusive product at night.
- Sensitive: Fragrance-free and straightforward. Panthenol helps soothe, but if your barrier is very compromised, it can tingle. Patch test on the jawline for a few nights.
- Acne-prone: Water-light and non-oily. It will not clog pores and can help counteract the dryness from retinoids or benzoyl peroxide when sealed properly.
Skip it if you hate any sense of tackiness, if you rely on silicone-heavy primers that tend to pill with water gels, or if you want an all-in-one hydrator that replaces a moisturizer. This serum adds water; it does not add the emollients and occlusives a true moisturizer provides.
How it feels and performs
Texture and finish: Out of the dropper it looks like a clear gel and feels slightly bouncy. On application, there is an immediate slip that turns lightly tacky as it begins to dry down. On damp skin, the tackiness is milder and settles within 1 to 3 minutes. On dry skin, tackiness is more pronounced and can linger. Once sealed with moisturizer, skin feels smooth and softly plump rather than sticky.
Layering and pilling: Pilling is the most common complaint, and it is almost always about technique and pairings. Too much product, layering over heavy silicones, and rushing dry-down can cause tiny balls to form. I had the best results with 2 to 3 drops on damp skin, a 60-second wait, then a silicone-light moisturizer. Under makeup, the serum worked well when I kept total product thin and let each layer set. With silicone-rich primers, reduce drops to 1 to 2 and allow extra dry-down time.
Immediate results: Within minutes, fine dehydration lines soften and the surface looks smoother. If your skin tends to get tight after cleansing, the relief is noticeable. Redness linked to dryness can look a touch calmer thanks to panthenol.
All-day wear: In a climate-controlled office, the plump look held through an 8-hour day when sealed with a moisturizer. In very dry air, I needed a richer cream or a mid-day mist to maintain the effect. In humid weather, a gel moisturizer on top was enough, and the finish stayed fresh, not greasy.
Longer term: Over two weeks, I saw more consistent hydration and fewer flaky areas, particularly around the nose and mouth where makeup tends to catch. It will not change skin texture the way retinoids or exfoliating acids can, but steady hydration can make pores look softer and fine lines less apparent.
Sensitivity: On a compromised barrier, hyaluronic acid can sometimes tingle on application. That sensation usually passes quickly and is often a sign that your skin needs a gentler cleanse and a richer moisturizer. If the sting lingers more than a minute or increases, rinse and pause use until your barrier is calm.
How to use for best results
If hyaluronic acid ever left you tight or sticky, it was likely a technique issue. This serum is simple, but a few tweaks make a major difference.
- Cleanse gently: Avoid over-stripping. A low-foam cleanser sets the stage for hydration.
- Apply on damp skin: Do not drip-wet, just comfortably damp. If your face has dried, mist with water or a hydrating toner.
- Use 2 to 4 drops: Spread between fingertips and press over face and neck. No need to rub aggressively. Less is more for minimal tack and minimal pilling.
- Wait 30 to 60 seconds: Let the serum hug water to the surface.
- Seal with moisturizer: Choose based on your skin type. Gel for oily, lotion for normal, cream for dry. This step locks in the water the serum attracted.
- Finish with sunscreen in the morning: Give your moisturizer a minute before sunscreen to reduce pilling.
Climate tips:
- Dry or heated air: Layer a richer cream or soft balm on top at night. You can lightly mist before moisturizing to give the serum more water to hold.
- Humid weather: Keep layers thin. A gel moisturizer on top is usually enough.
Pairing with actives:
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid): Apply your vitamin C on dry skin first, wait 60 seconds, then apply this serum. That order avoids diluting a watery vitamin C and reduces pilling.
- Retinoids: If you have sensitive skin, apply this serum first to cushion the retinoid. If you want maximum retinoid potency, apply retinoid first, then this serum 5 to 10 minutes later.
- Exfoliating acids: Use acids after cleansing, then this serum, then moisturizer.
Pilling prevention checklist:
- Use fewer drops and spread thinly.
- Apply to damp skin and give each layer a short set time.
- Avoid stacking multiple silicone-heavy products in one routine.
- Finish with gentle pressing rather than vigorous rubbing.
Pros and cons
- Pros
- Very affordable hydration that works across skin types when sealed with moisturizer.
- Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, oil-free, and vegan, with panthenol to support the barrier.
- Visibly plumps dehydration lines within minutes and layers well with most actives.
- Available in two sizes and easy to find.
- Cons
- Finish can feel tacky, especially if you use too much or apply to dry skin.
- Can pill under silicone-heavy primers and some sunscreens if layered thickly.
- Not a replacement for moisturizer, and may feel drying in low humidity without a top layer.
- Formula focuses on humectants, so very dry or compromised skin may need more emollients and occlusives.
Final verdict
Is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 a budget hydration hit? For the right user and technique, yes. It is a simple, reliable way to add water back into skin for an immediately softer, bouncier look. Its biggest strengths are price, accessibility, and a no-nonsense formula that plays nicely with most routines. Its biggest drawback is texture. If you dislike any tack or you rely on silicone-heavy base products, you will need to fine-tune your application or consider a silkier alternative.
Buy it if you want a low-cost hydration step, especially if your skin runs oily to combination or dehydrated. Pass if you want an all-in-one moisturizer, if you cannot stand a brief tacky phase, or if you prefer a plush, high-slip gel feel. With the right moisturizer on top, this serum delivers dependable everyday hydration without drama, which is exactly what many routines need.
See also
If you love the idea of a hyaluronic acid step but crave a smoother, more elegant gel feel, see how it compares in our Vichy Mineral 89 Booster, Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review. Sensitive shoppers can also browse our curated picks in Best Skin Serums for Sensitive Skin: Calm, Hydrate, Protect and consider brightening options that are gentle in Best Vitamin C Serums for Sensitive Skin (Bright Without the Burn).
Not sure what your skin actually needs from a hydrator? Start by learning the difference in Dehydrated vs Dry vs Oily-Dehydrated: How to Tell at Home, then build the right routine step by step with Skin Routine for Dry Skin: Simple, Hydrating, Proven.
FAQ
Does The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 pill under sunscreen or makeup?
It can pill if you apply too much, stack silicone-heavy layers, or rush dry-down. Use 2 to 3 drops on damp skin, wait 60 seconds, apply a silicone-light moisturizer, then let that set for another minute before sunscreen. If you use a silicone primer, reduce the serum to 1 to 2 drops and allow extra time between layers. Pressing products in instead of rubbing also helps.
Can I use it with retinol or vitamin C without issues?
Yes. With a watery L-ascorbic acid vitamin C, apply vitamin C first on dry skin, wait about a minute, then apply the hyaluronic acid serum. With retinoids, you can use this serum before the retinoid to cushion application if you are sensitive, or after the retinoid for maximum potency. In all cases, finish with moisturizer to seal in hydration.
Why does my skin feel drier after using this serum?
Hyaluronic acid needs water to hold. If you apply to dry skin and skip moisturizer, especially in low humidity or heated indoor air, it can leave you tight. Apply on damp skin, use a light mist if needed, and always follow with a moisturizer that suits your skin type. In very dry climates, a richer cream or a thin occlusive layer at night makes a big difference.
Is it suitable for acne-prone or oily skin?
Yes. The formula is water-based and oil-free, so it will not add grease or clog pores. It is a good way to hydrate while using drying acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Choose a lightweight gel or lotion to seal it in to avoid extra shine.
Will this replace my moisturizer?
No. This serum is a humectant step that attracts water to the skin. A moisturizer adds emollients and occlusives that smooth and lock in that water. For most people, the best routine is cleanser, hyaluronic acid on damp skin, moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning.
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