Head to head

The Ordinary GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution.

The bottom line

The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 GF 15% Solution if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

The Ordinary GF 15% SolutionThe OrdinaryGF 15% SolutionSerum · ~€16See every ingredient in GF 15% Solution, decoded
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)The OrdinaryHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)Serum · ~€10See every ingredient in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides), decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick GF 15% Solution if

  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)

Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if

  • you want the more affordable option
  • you want more actives working at once

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
GF 15% SolutionHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    78
  • Brightening / tone
    63
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    63
  • Anti-aging
    63

Side by side

GF 15% SolutionHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Epidermal Growth FactorGlycerin, 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 safeLikelyNot likely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients12 listed23 listed
Price~€16~€10

What's in one but not the other

Only in GF 15% Solution

Both share

The molecule doing the work

GF 15% SolutionGlycerin
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)Glycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneGF 15% Solution
  • Fine lines & firmnessGF 15% Solution
  • Breakouts & congestionGF 15% Solution
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€16).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is The Ordinary GF 15% Solution or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 GF 15% Solution 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 GF 15% Solution or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€16).

Can I use The Ordinary GF 15% Solution and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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.

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