The Ordinary Reformulated Their Holy Grail Hyaluronic Acid So We Obvs Had to Try It
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Reformulating a product is always risky business.
Reformulating a hero, holy grail product? That’s like remixing a cult classic song or a chef reinventing a signature dish.
It’s a delicate dance between modernising it while still preserving the magic that first captivated fans.
The outcome could either soar to the top of the charts or plummet to the depths of disappointment, sparking dinner table debates or–more likely in today’s digital age–a TikTok boycott. Yikes.
We’ve all experienced it: when a once-beloved product undergoes a makeover, and suddenly everything that initially drew you to it becomes everything you detest about it.
Akin to getting the “ick”, or having to relearn to love your partner when they get a questionable haircut... just kidding (but also not really).
So, when The Ordinary's reformulated version of their popular hyaluronic acid serum landed on my desk, I was surprised, quickly followed by stressed.
It was the first serum I'd ever used, a catalyst for my introduction to cosmeceutical skincare. And as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
So what prompted The Ordinary to reformulate their best-seller?
Let’s find out and see if the new The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 30ml lives up to the glory of the beloved OG.
What Is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
Since its 2016 launch, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 30ml has gained a loyal following for its simple formula and affordable price tag.
The rerelease of the serum marks the brand’s first major reformulation based on consumer feedback.
Through social media, customer reviews and their retail partners, the brand gathered insight into the product’s performance, which prompted them to take a closer look, particularly at its texture.
(We love a self-aware (queen) brand!!)
So, how does The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 differ from the original?
According to the brand, it's lighter, less tacky, includes ceramides for moisture retention, and boasts five forms of hyaluronic acid (increased from three) for enhanced, multi-depth hydration.
However, its original promise remains: to hydrate, smooth fine lines and reinforce the skin barrier.
As for The Ordinary’s decision to include ceramides in its renowned formula, the serum aims to enhance skin protection and hydration.
Ceramides, which are lipids naturally present in the skin, help support the skin barrier, promoting healthy function and resilience.
Here are some other nice-to-knows:
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Available in both a 30ml and 60ml size.
- Alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free and gluten-free.
Watch us unbox The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 in the below video.
Now that we’re up to speed on all things The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, let’s see how it fared on my perpetually dry, dehydration-prone skin.
My The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Review.
I’ve been using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for a couple of weeks now, slotting it into my existing skincare routine.
Per the instructions, I apply a few drops in the morning and evening to clean, damp skin.
The Ordinary advises patch testing prior to use, but considering my skin is well-versed in cosmeceuticals I did a no-no and dove straight in.
The first thing I noticed about the serum was its texture.
True to The Ordinary’s promise, it feels more delicate and silky than its predecessor.
It glides on the skin effortlessly with a slight tackiness once applied, but it mostly dries down within a few minutes, leaving a matte, almost filter-like finish in its wake that layers well under makeup.
The serum provided decent hydration without feeling heavy or greasy.
However, because my skin is rather dry, I found it didn’t offer the intense, dewy dolphin skin hydration I usually seek in a hyaluronic acid serum.
Over the two weeks, I observed my skin texture looked noticeably smoother with less redness. It also felt softer and had a bit more bounce to it.
There is a slight scent to be aware of, but I didn’t find it too strong or offensive that it turned me off it.
I’ll continue slathering it all over my face per its four-week clinical trial, but overall am pretty happy with the initial results I’ve seen and think it holds its own amongst more expensive alternatives.
Final Verdict.
For those in search of an affordable hyaluronic acid serum with additional skin-softening benefits, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - 30ml stands out as a reliable option.
It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil and alcohol-free, making it well-suited for all skin types in need of a serum to address dryness and dehydration.
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