The Ordinary serum reviews: Which one should you choose?

How do the two serums compare?

Choose by the job you want the serum to do, not just by the brand. These two serums target different concerns, even if both bottles are applying for the same vacancy on your bathroom shelf.2

Who should choose Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?

Choose the version with ceramides if hydration is your priority and you prefer a light texture. Hyaluronic acid binds water; ceramides help keep moisture in the skin, and panthenol supports moisture retention. The original Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 has a richer texture and four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. Check which version you are buying if texture matters to you.1

Who should choose Soothing & Barrier Support Serum?

Choose this serum when dryness, tightness and visible redness are the concerns you want to address. Its ceramide complex replenishes skin lipids, while its soothing complex targets discomfort associated with dryness. Vitamin B12 gives the serum its pink colour. The formula suits sensitive skin, but test it before applying it across your face.2

How long do results take?

With Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, you may notice improved hydration after one week, with sustained results after four weeks.1

The Ordinary reports improved barrier strength within two hours in testing on 23 people, and an immediate 86% hydration boost in 34 people after one application of Soothing & Barrier Support Serum. Those are hydration and barrier measurements, not a timetable for every visible concern.2

How do you apply the serum?

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat dry.
2. 2Apply a few drops of your chosen serum. The Ordinary directs morning and evening use for both formulas.
3. 3Follow with moisturizer. Both serums go before heavier creams or oils.
4. 4Apply sunscreen as the final skincare step in the morning.
5. 5Apply makeup after skincare, if you wear it.

The general layering rule is thinner products before thicker ones. Moisturizer helps prevent water evaporating from the skin, so a hydrating serum belongs before moisturizer rather than taking its place. A basic morning routine can consist of cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen; a serum is an optional addition, not an entrance fee to skincare.4

Can you use them with other treatments?

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 can be used with squalane, glycolic acid, peptides and caffeine. The Ordinary tells you not to use Soothing & Barrier Support Serum with direct or indirect vitamin C. Follow that product specific restriction rather than assuming all hydrating serums have the same compatibility.12

Start with one serum and minimize the number of new products you introduce. More products increase the chance of side effects, and using several treatments together can irritate skin. If you use a prescribed topical medicine, apply it after cleansing and follow its own directions.34

Vitamin C needs a stable formula and adequate skin penetration to work. L ascorbic acid, a common form of vitamin C, is unstable when exposed to oxygen. A vitamin C ingredient name alone is therefore not enough to judge a serum's performance. Vitamin C also does not replace sunscreen.45

If your existing treatment is a retinoid, a vitamin A derivative, remember that retinoids can cause dryness, peeling and sun sensitivity. Some topical retinoids are contraindicated during pregnancy, so check the specific medicine with your prescriber if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Treat those precautions as directions for the retinoid, not for the two serums compared here.6

How should you test a new serum?

Even a product formulated for your skin type can cause irritation. Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction that can cause redness, itching and swelling. Testing a small area first helps predict an unwanted reaction before you use the product more widely.7

1. 1Choose a spot about the size of a quarter on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, where the product will not be rubbed or washed away.
2. 2Apply your normal amount twice daily for seven to ten days. Leave a serum on as you would during ordinary use.
3. 3If the area remains free of redness, itching or swelling, begin using the serum on your face.
4. 4If a reaction develops, gently wash the product off and do not use it again.

Use both serums only on unbroken skin. If irritation occurs, The Ordinary directs you to rinse off, stop using the serum and consult a physician. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve a product reaction. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe or does not settle with those measures; persistent difficulty identifying the trigger can require medical patch testing.127