The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: A 74-Year-Old Sceptic, 33,000 Ratings, and One Controversial Update
The Ordinary reformulated their best-selling hyaluronic acid serum with ceramides, and 33,000 buyers have weighed in. We dug into the real reviews to find out who loves it, who hates it, and whether the pilling problem is as bad as some claim.
Heather is 74. She'd never used a serum in her life, had no skincare routine to speak of, and picked up The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 on a whim. Weeks later, she left a review saying the fine lines around her lips had visibly softened. Twenty-eight people found that helpful.
Then there's Jess, who called the serum out for "massive amounts of pilling" that no amount of drying time could fix. And the handful of buyers who opened their bottles to find an unusual chemical smell that made them question whether they'd received a genuine product at all.
With nearly 33,000 ratings, a 4.6-star average, and Amazon's Choice status, The Ordinary's reformulated HA serum is one of the most-bought skincare products in the UK right now. Over 20,000 units sold in the past month alone. But a closer look at the reviews tells a more interesting story than those headline numbers suggest.
The 2026 Reformulation: What Actually Changed
If you used the original version of this serum, you probably remember it being sticky. That was the most common gripe for years. The Ordinary clearly listened, because the 2026 reformulation with ceramides has a noticeably different texture.
Alba Rose, who left one of the most detailed reviews we found, called the updated formula a significant improvement. Zero stinging on her sensitive combination skin, and the ceramides made a real difference to how the serum felt going on. Several other reviewers echoed this: the stickiness is largely gone.
What's actually in the new formula? Five forms of hyaluronic acid, each with a different molecular weight. Low-molecular-weight HA penetrates deeper into the skin's surface layers, while high-molecular-weight HA sits on top and pulls in moisture from the air. There's also an HA crosspolymer and hydrolyzed HA to cover the middle ground. The addition of ceramides (sphingolipids) helps lock that moisture in, and pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) supports the skin barrier.
One thing to know: the formula has a slight yellow tinge. That's normal and comes from the ceramides. A few reviewers were initially alarmed by this, but it's expected.
The Pilling Problem: Real Issue or User Error?
This is where the reviews get properly divided. Pilling, where the serum balls up on the skin when you apply moisturiser or makeup over it, is the single most common complaint across negative reviews. Jess gave it two stars specifically because of this, saying it happened regardless of how long she waited.
But here's what's interesting: several positive reviewers addressed the exact same issue and found solutions. Kayleigh discovered that waiting 10 to 15 minutes before applying moisturiser eliminated pilling completely. Katherine van Eck, who's used the serum daily for over two years, adds a few drops directly into her moisturiser for more even distribution. And Pinkypalace, another long-term user, swears by applying it to damp skin straight after cleansing.
The pattern is clear enough. This serum is sensitive to application technique in a way that thicker creams aren't. If you slap moisturiser on immediately after, you'll likely get pilling. If you give it time to absorb or apply it to damp skin, the problem mostly disappears. That's a real drawback for anyone who wants a fast morning routine, but it's also a fixable one.
What 77% of Five-Star Reviews Keep Saying
Nearly 78% of reviews are five stars. That's a high bar for any skincare product, and the consistency of what people praise is striking.
Hydration dominates. The word "plump" appears in review after review, along with "glowy", "soft", and "smoother". Multiple reviewers specifically noted that results showed up within the first week or two, which is faster than most active ingredients deliver visible changes.
Then there's the value argument. At £7.04 for 30ml (or £6.69 on Subscribe & Save), this serum sits at a fraction of what competitors charge. Alistair put it bluntly: he'd been getting "so many compliments" and considered it better than products costing £50 to £100. Other reviewers drew direct comparisons to SkinCeuticals and Elizabeth Arden serums that cost five to ten times more.
Sensitive skin compatibility also came up repeatedly. The Ordinary markets this for all skin types, and the reviews broadly support that claim. Fragrance free, paraben free, silicone free, vegan, and cruelty free. For acne-prone skin in particular, several reviewers confirmed it didn't trigger breakouts.
The Complaints That Deserve Attention
Beyond pilling, a few other issues surfaced in the negative reviews that are worth flagging.
A small number of buyers reported an unusual rubber or chemical smell when they opened the bottle. In every case, these reviewers questioned whether they'd received a counterfeit product. The Ordinary is one of the most counterfeited skincare brands on Amazon, so this is a valid concern. Buying directly from The Ordinary's website or through the official Amazon listing (sold by DECIEM) reduces the risk, but it's something to be aware of.
Broken glass droppers on arrival came up a couple of times. That's a shipping and packaging issue rather than a product issue, but it's frustrating when you're dealing with a glass bottle containing liquid.
A few reviewers experienced skin peeling, which can happen when hyaluronic acid is applied in very dry environments without a moisturiser on top. HA draws moisture from wherever it can find it, and in low-humidity conditions, that can mean pulling water from deeper skin layers. The fix is simple: always follow with a moisturiser to seal it in.
And for transparency, a couple of reviewers felt alternatives performed equally well. Caro gave it four stars but noted that L'Oreal's hyaluronic acid serum achieved similar results for her. Another mentioned Anua as a preferred option. These are minority opinions in a sea of five-star reviews, but they're honest assessments from people who tried multiple products side by side.
How to Actually Use It (Based on What Reviewers Learned)
The official directions say to apply a few drops morning and evening. That's fine as far as it goes, but the reviewers who got the best results were more specific about technique.
The consensus from long-term users:
- Start with damp skin. Cleanse, pat your face so it's still slightly wet, then apply. Hyaluronic acid works by attracting water, so giving it moisture to work with makes a noticeable difference.
- Use two to three drops. You don't need a lot. Katherine van Eck, with two years of daily use, has her application dialled in at just a few drops mixed into moisturiser.
- Wait before layering. If you're applying moisturiser on top, give the serum 10 to 15 minutes to absorb first. This is the single biggest factor in avoiding pilling.
- Always follow with moisturiser. HA on its own without an occlusive layer can actually dehydrate skin in dry environments. The ceramides in the new formula help with this, but a moisturiser on top is still best practice.
For your full routine, The Ordinary suggests using it after water-based treatments and before oils or heavier creams. It layers well under most moisturisers and sits fine under makeup, provided you give it that absorption window.
Who Will Love It and Who Should Skip It
This serum hits a sweet spot for a particular type of buyer. If you want effective hydration without a complicated routine and you're not willing to spend £30 or more on a serum, The Ordinary's HA 2% + B5 is probably the best option at this price point. The reformulated ceramide version fixes the stickiness issue that held the original back, and the results on fine lines are well-documented across hundreds of reviews.
It's particularly well-suited if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. The clean ingredient list, with no fragrance, no silicones, and no parabens, means fewer potential irritants. And at £7.04, trying it is low-risk even if it doesn't become your forever product.
Where it might not work: if you have a rushed morning routine and can't spare those extra minutes for absorption, the pilling will frustrate you. If you're looking for dramatic anti-wrinkle results on deep-set lines, manage your expectations. This is a hydration serum, not a retinol. It smooths fine dry lines beautifully, but deeper wrinkles need a different approach.
And if you've already tried a premium HA serum you love, this won't necessarily convert you. It performs remarkably well for its price, but a few reviewers were honest that higher-end alternatives gave them marginally better results.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
At £7.04, with a 4.6-star average from nearly 33,000 buyers and Amazon's Choice status, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 with Ceramides is a standout in the budget skincare space. The 2026 reformulation addressed the biggest complaint about the original (stickiness), and the addition of ceramides adds genuine value to the formula.
We're docking half a point for the pilling issue, which is real even if it's avoidable with the right technique. A hydration serum that requires a 15-minute wait before layering isn't ideal for everyone. But the sheer volume of positive experiences, from first-time serum users like Heather to skincare veterans who've tested it against products ten times the price, makes this one of the easiest recommendations we've given.
If you've been curious about hyaluronic acid and haven't tried it yet, or you're looking to swap out an expensive serum for something that delivers comparable hydration at a fraction of the cost, this is the one to try.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Multi-depth hydration serum with 5 types of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and pro-vitamin B5. Fragrance free, vegan, cruelty free. 30ml.