Head to head

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

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation)Serum · ~€8See every ingredient in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation), decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • you want more actives working at once

Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if

  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
PDRN Pink Peptide SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    98
  • Brightening / tone
    73
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    72

Side by side

PDRN Pink Peptide SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
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 likelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients40 listed17 listed
Price~€30~€8

What's in one but not the other

Only in PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)

The molecule doing the work

PDRN Pink Peptide SerumNiacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)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 (Original Formulation)

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

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

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€30).

Can I use Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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