Head to head

The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation)The OrdinaryHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)Serum · ~€8See every ingredient in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation), decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick GF 15% Solution if

  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula

Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation)
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    78
  • Brightening / tone
    63
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    63
  • Anti-aging
    62

Side by side

GF 15% SolutionHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
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 safeLikelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients12 listed17 listed
Price~€16~€8

What's in one but not the other

Only in GF 15% Solution

Both share

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

The molecule doing the work

GF 15% SolutionGlycerin
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)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 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€16).

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 GF 15% Solution or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Which is cheaper, The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 ~€16).

Can I use The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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…

All 33 comparisons