The Ordinary is a popular skin care brand under the global beauty brand, Deciem’s, umbrella. Created to offer effective, clinical solutions at an affordable price tag, The Ordinary features a cohesive collection of treatments to meet the most common skin care needs. Since its launch, The Ordinary has gained a loyal customer base of users who not only love The Ordinary skin care products, but also appreciate the brand’s commitment to transparency. In this review, we are going to focus on The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 . We’ll discuss what it is, the key ingredients, how to use it, reviews from real customers, and more.
What is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a hydration support formula that combines the hydrating ingredients hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5 (panthenol). The formula actually includes three forms of hyaluronic acid with varying molecular weights, as well as a hyaluronic acid crosspolymer. The brand explains that the purpose of using varying molecular weights of hyaluronic acid is due to the structure of hyaluronic acid; it is simply too large of a molecule to penetrate the skin. Products that use just one form of hyaluronic acid can draw moisture out of the skin making the surface feel soft and hydrated temporarily, while making you feel like you need more hyaluronic acid after the product is rinsed. Therefore, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is formulated with multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to offer multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely to improve temporary surface hydration. This makes The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 a good option for those with dehydrated skin and/or skin showing signs of aging.
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What Are The Key Ingredients in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
Sodium hyaluronate, the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid, is the key ingredient in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are basically the same and the two names are used interchangeably in the skin care industry. The main differences are that sodium hyaluronate is more stable, easier to formulate, and cheaper. That’s why it is common to see sodium hyaluronate on an ingredient list even though the product name might say hyaluronic acid. Once applied to the skin, sodium hyaluronate provides the same benefits of hyaluronic acid. What are these benefits? Read on to find out!
First, it’s important to understand what hyaluronic acid even is. Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), a long polysaccharide (sugar molecule) composed of disaccharides called amino sugars and uronic acid that is naturally found in the dermis. GAGs are negatively charged and thus tend to attract positively charged sodium and potassium ions. In turn, this causes the GAGs to absorb and hold a large amount of water. In fact, hyaluronic acid is able to hold more water than any other natural substance—up to 1,000 times its weight in water! This is why using products with either hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate — like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 — can help to improve skin hydration.
Did you know that hyaluronic acid can also help to improve signs of aging? Youthful skin retains its turgor, resilience, and flexibility due to its high content of water. As the skin loses moisture due to both internal and external factors, it begins to show signs of aging, such as lines, wrinkles, sagging, and flaking skin. Since hyaluronic acid is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, it’s clear that a strong relationship exists between skin aging and levels of hyaluronic acid. According to the scholarly journal DermatoEndocrinology, the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of hyaluronic acid in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).
Due to these effects, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 may help naturally reduce signs of aging by decreasing epidermal water loss associated with sun exposure, low humidity, and other external factors associated with skin dryness. The result is smoother, softer skin with decreased wrinkles and a more plump appearance.
Another hydrating ingredient in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, which functions as a humectant. A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that has a molecular structure with several hydrophilic (water loving) groups, such as hydroxyl groups (OH) and/or amine groups (NH2). Panthenol is composed of three hydroxyl groups and one amino group. The OH and NH2 groups hydrogen bond with water, essentially “grabbing” it and holding it on the skin. Humectants pull water from the dermis to the epidermis and stratum corneum. In addition, humectants can draw water vapor from the air to help moisturize the skin if the humidity is over 50 percent.
How to Use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Apply a few drops of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 to face in the morning and in the evening before creams. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised.
Where is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Sold?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and other skin care products by The Ordinary are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party sellers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. The brand has a store locator and list of authorized retailers on their website.
What is The Ordinary Return Policy?
All Deciem brands, including The Ordinary, offer a 365-day full refund policy.
Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free?
The Ordinary is cruelty free. DECIEM and The Ordinary do not test on animals and do not ask others to do so. For this reason, none of their brands or products are sold in stores or conventional retailers in mainland China, since such sales require animal testing for registration purposes.
References:
1. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 253–258
