The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for oily acne-prone skin

Sodium Hyaluronate
Vitamin B5 Panthenol
Glycerin
Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best moisturizers for oily acne-prone skin.
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent hydration for your oily skin, as multiple forms of hyaluronic acid and panthenol provide plumping and moisturizing effects without being occlusive. Glycerin further supports your oily skin by offering humectant action.
- While supportive for acne-prone and oily skin, the formula lacks targeted ingredients to directly address acne, blemishes, and oiliness.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Panthenol and Hyaluronic Acid.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 7.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for its deep hydration and plumping effects, leading to smoother skin and reduced fine lines. While the reformulated texture is generally better absorbed, some users still report pilling when layering products. It is also frequently noted as an excellent value option.
Highlights
Hydration and plumping Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels immediately hydrated”
- “gave my skin a much needed drink”
- “lovely, plumped-up feel”
- “fine lines look smoothed”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “can't beat the price”
- “staple for budget skincare”
- “great value for money”
- “performs like expensive serums”
Sticky finish Often Mentioned
- “feels very sticky”
- “leaves a tacky residue”
- “feels like glue”
- “hair sticks to face”
Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation at all”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “didn't sting”
Smoother texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels soft and smooth”
- “texture looks healthy”
- “makeup sits better”
- “reduced dry patches”
Pilling issues Sometimes Noted
- “peels off like PVA glue”
- “pills under my moisturizer”
- “flakes off in little balls”
- “ruined my foundation”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out in cysts”
- “caused tiny whiteheads”
- “made my skin red”
- “clogged my pores”
Foaming Rarely Noted
- “turns white and foams”
- “soapy consistency”
- “froths up when rubbed”
- “takes long to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, amazon.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This product is a great fit because its multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and glycerin provide deep moisture and plumping effects without feeling heavy or oily on your skin. It also has a very safe and gentle formula with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and vitamin B5 panthenol make this serum a great fit because they provide lightweight moisture without feeling heavy or oily. These ingredients help keep your skin soft and hydrated while being gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Vitamin B5 do for oily acne-prone skin?
Vitamin B5 helps regulate oil and keeps skin calm with a very safe and gentle profile. It supports hydration while reducing redness and blemishes for oily and acne-prone skin.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is a great fit because sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and glycerin provide deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy on oily skin.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying it before your retinol to keep your skin calm and hydrated. Because it provides lightweight moisture without heavy oils, it helps your skin tolerate strong acne treatments with a low risk of irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment serum every evening as part of your routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy.
Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily acne-prone skin because it hydrates without heavy, pore-blocking ingredients and features soothing components like Vitamin B5 Panthenol. While supportive and safe, the formula does not directly treat acne or blemishes, and reviewers note a low likelihood of breakouts.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This product is safe to use around the eyes and on the body because its gentle formula has an excellent safety profile and lacks harsh ingredients. It helps hydrate these areas well, though it is not specifically designed to treat acne or oiliness there.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical sunscreen formulations containing UV filters, red algae extract, Ginkgo biloba, and vitamins protected hairless mice from UV-induced erythema, reduced transepidermal water loss, and significantly decreased the expression of p53 and caspase-3 compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2015Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous dressings containing 3% Corallina officinalis extract exhibited bead-free morphology, enhanced mechanical strength, strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and excellent biocompatibility for skin cell survival and proliferation.
Journal of Biomaterials Science. Polymer Edition, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sphingolipids, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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