Everyone says HA is a desert for your face. That it pulls moisture from your skin instead of the air. I had to test it.
The rumor started because HA is a humectant — it grabs water. If the air is drier than your skin, it can theoretically pull from the deeper layers.
The Ordinary’s HA 2% + B5. $8.90. The claim that made me try it? That it’s a simple, effective hydrator. No frills.
The Texture
Slightly sticky, viscous slip — not watery.
The Dry-Down
Absorbs in about 30 seconds, leaves a faint film.
The Layering
Pills under certain sunscreens. A warning.
Photo: Lora Seis / Unsplash
It’s a short list. Four forms of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights. The B5 is for barrier support.
The low weight HA goes deeper, the high weight sits on top. This is key.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds up to 1000x its weight in water
- Sodium Hyaluronate: A salt form, penetrates slightly
- Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer: A larger molecule for surface hydration
- Vitamin B5: Repairs the skin barrier, reduces irritation
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Feels like spreading a thin layer of aloe gel. Not luxurious. Immediate tightness if you don’t seal it in fast.
Week 2: My cheeks looked plumper. But my forehead? Felt tighter. The difference was shocking — it highlighted my drier zones.
My fine lines were softer. No miracle. But dehydration lines? Gone. Oiliness stayed the same.
The myth is half-true. This serum is a moisture broker. In the right conditions, it hydrates. In the wrong ones, it’s a thief.