Head to head
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides).
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol |
| Texture | A 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. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 23 listed | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€10 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Fine lines & firmnessNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Dryness & dehydrationHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€10).
Ready to pick one?
Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.
Common questions
Is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€10).
Can I use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 28 comparisons
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster