Does The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contain hyaluronic acid?

Yes. The list includes sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, both forms used as humectants.

What does panthenol do in this formula?

Panthenol is used as a moisturizing ingredient and appears in the upper half of the ingredient list.

Is this an exfoliating serum because it contains citric acid?

Not necessarily. Citric acid is often used to adjust pH, and the ingredient list alone does not show that this formula is intended to exfoliate.

Product receipts · The Ordinary

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ingredients, decoded

Name: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Brand: The Ordinary

This is a water-based serum formula built around sodium hyaluronate and other humectants. Panthenol and glycerin also contribute to its moisturizing profile.

Product photo of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, showing the packaging — Image: The Ordinary

Full ingredient list · 18 items

01Aqua (Water)
02Sodium Hyaluronate
03Pentylene Glycol
04Propanediol
05Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
06Panthenol
07Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
08Glycerin
09Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
10Citric Acid
11Isoceteth-20
12Ethoxydiglycol
13Ethylhexylglycerin
14Hexylene Glycol
151
162-Hexanediol
17Phenoxyethanol
18Caprylyl Glycol

As published on the brand's own site, checked October 14, 2026. Formulas change by batch and region, so check your pack.

01 · Key ingredients

Sodium Hyaluronatehumectant
well-supported
A form of hyaluronic acid used to attract and hold water in the outer layers of skin. It appears near the top of the list. Full receipt ›
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymerhumectant
well-supported
A crosslinked form of sodium hyaluronate that helps bind water. It appears near the top of the list, after sodium hyaluronate. Full receipt ›
Panthenolmoisturizing agent
well-supported
Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is used in skincare to help moisturize and support the skin barrier. It appears in the upper half of the list. Full receipt ›
Glycerinhumectant
well-supported
Glycerin attracts water and is a well-established moisturizing ingredient. It appears around the middle of the list. Full receipt ›
Pentylene Glycolhumectant and solvent
well-supported
This glycol can help attract water and dissolve other ingredients. It appears near the top of the list.
Citric AcidpH adjuster
insufficient evidence
Citric acid can be used to adjust a formula's pH. Its presence here does not establish that the product functions as an exfoliant.

02 · Who it may suit

Those looking for a water-based moisturizing serum.
Those who want a formula featuring several humectants.
Those seeking a product with panthenol and glycerin in the ingredient list.

03 · What to watch for

The ingredient list includes glycols, which may not suit everyone.
Citric acid is present, but its position in the list does not tell us the formula's pH.
The list alone cannot establish how the finished product will feel or how individual skin will respond.

Questions people ask

Does The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contain hyaluronic acid?: Yes. The list includes sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, both forms used as humectants.
What does panthenol do in this formula?: Panthenol is used as a moisturizing ingredient and appears in the upper half of the ingredient list.
Is this an exfoliating serum because it contains citric acid?: Not necessarily. Citric acid is often used to adjust pH, and the ingredient list alone does not show that this formula is intended to exfoliate.

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Sources (1) · Confirmed

Ingredient list, theordinary.com (Confirmed: the brand's own published list)

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ingredients, decoded

01 · Key ingredients

02 · Who it may suit

03 · What to watch for

Questions people ask

See what your skin is actually asking for.