Head to head

Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum.

The bottom line

Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

MedicubePDRN Pink Peptide SerumSerum · ~€30See every ingredient in PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, decoded
The OrdinaryHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)Serum · ~€10See every ingredient in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides), decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus

Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if

  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
  • you want the more affordable option

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
PDRN Pink Peptide SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    98
  • Brightening / tone
    73
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    73

Side by side

PDRN Pink Peptide SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesNiacinamide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acidGlycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA
TextureA light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.
FragranceContains fragranceNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyNot likely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients40 listed23 listed
Price~€30~€10

What's in one but not the other

The molecule doing the work

PDRN Pink Peptide SerumNiacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)Glycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven tonePDRN Pink Peptide Serum
  • Fine lines & firmnessPDRN Pink Peptide Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionPDRN Pink Peptide Serum
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works
  • Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€30).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Which is cheaper, Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€30).

Can I use Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) together?

They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.

Compare it with…

All 26 comparisons
Chemical structure of NiacinamideChemical structure of Glycerin