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Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% 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 Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum.

The bottom line

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Reviewed by Maya FaourLast reviewed August 2026
AnuaNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumSerum · ~€20See every ingredient in Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% 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 Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if

  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • you want more actives working at once

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

  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
  • you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    108
  • Brightening / tone
    93
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    62

Side by side

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide 10%, Ceramide 3Glycerin, 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.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients51 listed17 listed
Price~€20~€8

What's in one but not the other

Only in Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum

Both share

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

The molecule doing the work

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumGlycerin
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)Glycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Fine lines & firmnessNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€20).

Ready to pick one?

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum on amazon.comHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) on amazon.com

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 Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% 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, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% 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 ~€20).

Can I use Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% 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…

VSCeraVeResurfacing Retinol SerumShares Ceramide 3 and NiacinamideVSGeek & GorgeousA-Game 10Shares Pentylene Glycol and Pro-vitamin B5VSCelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterShares Niacinamide
All 33 comparisons