If there’s any singular quality that everyone should be looking for in their skincare products, it’s hydration. Finding a nourishing, deeply moisturizing product or two to include in your AM and PM routines can work wonders for all skin types, including oily, combo, and acne-prone skin!
There are a ton of different products you can utilize, and from a ton of varying brands at that! One of the most popular lines out there is The Ordinary. It’s among the most affordable “luxury” brands of skincare, and it has no shortage of hydrating products, including its Marine Hyaluronics Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
So, what’s the difference between marine hyaluronics vs hyaluronic acid? Both The Ordinary’s Marine Hyaluronics Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Serum work wonders when it comes to aiding the skin in moisture retention, though they approach it in different ways. They differ in ingredients, especially their hero ingredients, though they are similar in what skin types they’ll help.
For those who are torn between the two products and want a little more help in making a final decision between the pair, we’ll break down each of these serums here. From ingredients, the benefits of each, what skin concerns they’ll remedy, and more!
Qualities We’ll Compare
Upon first look, both of these serums may be looked at as interchangeable. However, we’ve done the research to definitively say that they do differ in a range of qualities. Today, we’ll be comparing the following areas:
- Ingredients
- Amount In Standard Size
- Affordability
- Benefits
- Which Skin Types Would Benefit Most
- How To Use It
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Ingredients
Marine Hyaluronics
There are 33 total ingredients in the Marine Hyaluronics serum, with the first ingredient listed being water. The primary ingredients that give this serum the hydrating quality it’s revered are derived from marine water reservoirs.
Exopolysaccharides are extracted for skin-friendly marine bacteria, algae from Hawaii, Antarctic marine reserves, micro-filtered blue and green algae, as well as barrier-supporting amino acids.
They are sourced directly from compounds that naturally retain water and moisture, helping strengthen your skin’s natural hydration supply by natural means.
Despite its name, this serum doesn’t contain any hyaluronic acid, and instead mimics its properties through entirely marine-derived origins.
This serum was formulated without parabens, sulfates SLS & SLES, and is cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and is held in recyclable packaging. Again, it also doesn’t include any hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
There are 18 total ingredients in The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid serum, with the first ingredients listed also being water. The primary ingredients that give this serum its moisturizing benefits are a hyaluronic acid crossover and vitamin B5.
Because this serum uses both low, medium, and high-density hyaluronic acid molecules, as well as a H.A. crosspolymer, your skin will reap the benefits of multi-depth hydration.
Each layer of your skin will be moisturized, and with the aid of vitamin B5 (a substance with close to the properties of Niacinamide), this serum can also even out skin tone and fill in fine lines.
The true star of the show is the next-generation H.A. polymer that makes the delivery of the hyaluronic benefits to the skin even smoother, allowing quick support of water density and hydration.
This formulation is free of parabens, phthalates, oil, alcohol, silicone, nuts, and gluten. It is also vegan and cruelty-free.
Amount In Standard Size
Marine Hyaluronics
A standard-size purchase of this product will amount to 1 oz/30 mL worth of serum in a dropper-style container, this is the only size of the product you can purchase.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
A standard-size purchase of this serum will amount to 1 oz/30 mL worth of product, but they also have a value-size version which amounts to 2 oz/60 mL worth of product, both versions are in dropper-style containers.
Benefits
Marine Hyaluronics
This water-based treatment is one of the best alternatives to hyaluronic acid on the market, offering a lightweight way to intensively moisturize and nourish the skin. Due to the hydrating properties, one can also expect to see a general plumping and softening of the skin.
Fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging will be filled in, the texture of the skin will soften, and dry-spots will be quenched. You can also expect to see longevity in the way your moisturizer (which is applied post-serum) stays on the skin due to having a hydrated base.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
If hydration is the game, this serum is how you win. Due to the different weights of HA in this treatment, your skin will be nourished from the surface layer to the base of your pores.
This treatment will nourish and moisturize the skin, while the addition of B5 helps clear your complexion and even out your skin tone.
It’s a water-based skin cocktail that targets dry spots, signs of aging, and textural irregularities. It gives immediate results in terms of hydration, but some long-term results include the strengthening of your skin barrier and more supple, even skin.
Compatible Skin Types
Marine Hyaluronics
It goes without saying that this serum works incredibly well with dry skin types, though it’s marketed for compatibility with normal, dry, combination, and oily skin.
Due to it being a lightweight serum, it’s great for those with sensitive skin types or acne-prone skin. This is also a great option for people who have dealt with adverse reactions to hyaluronic acid serums in the past.
Customer reviews state that they love the fact that this serum doesn’t leave the skin greasy or shiny, and is rather absorbed into the skin soon after application. It’s non-tacky, with a water-like consistency that leaves all skin types feeling nourished.
Unlike other hydrating serums and products, this treatment also contains trace amounts of citric acid and salicylic acid. Due to the inclusion of actives, we think this would be a great moisturizing treatment for those who have combination skin with active acne spots or breakouts.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
Also needless to say, a high-quality hyaluronic acid serum is key for a dry skin type, or those who have dry spots or textured areas. In spite of that, The Ordinary says that all skin types could benefit from using this serum in their routine.
Unlike the Marine Hyaluronics serum, this treatment is notably thicker and more viscous in texture and feel. It’s bit more gel-like in consistency than water-like, even though it is aqua-based, so those who tend to have clogged pores or oily skin may not like the way it sits on their face.
Customer reviews note that this product doesn’t necessarily absorb into the skin like other serums, but that it leaves skin looking and feeling visibly moisturized and glowy. It leaves skin with a tacky, sticky finish that could serve as the perfect base for a dewy, healthy makeup look.
Also unlike the previous serum, this HA treatment includes no actives or cell-renewing actives, meaning it’s true nature and job is to be moisturizing. If your skin tends to be on the drier side, or you’re unafraid of your skin feeling sticker and heavier, this is the perfect choice for treatment.
How To Use It
Marine Hyaluronics
Prior to use, here are some things to double-check:
- Patch-test the product and wait 24 hours for the results
- Check to ensure the serum is properly sealed
- Ensure you have no broken skin
This serum is used immediately after cleansing on slightly damp skin, and can be used in the AM and PM. Do not use on dry skin or you will run the risk of your serum pilling and leaving your face with an unsavory texture and feel.
Use only a couple of drops on your fingers and pat it into your skin prior to any other skincare products. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
If you notice any redness, irritation, or warmth on your face after use, cleanse your face and cease use.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
Just like the Marine Hyaluronics serum, there are some things to double-check on prior to you using the product for the first time:
- Patch-test the product and wait 24 hours for the results
- Check to ensure the serum is properly sealed
- Ensure you have no broken skin
This serum is also the first step after your cleansing routine, and should also be used on slightly damp skin with slightly dampened hands.
If used on dry skin, hyaluronic acid can actually dry your skin out more, and will also leave you with pilling. You’ll only need a couple of drops, but work quickly to ensure it doesn’t set in one area. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
Again, if you notice any adverse results, thoroughly cleanse your face and cease use. This serum can be used in the AM and PM.
Summary
Here’s a table to breakdown all the comparisons we’ve made:
| Marine Hyaluronics | Hyaluronic Acid Serum | |
| Ingredients | 33 ingredients: water, compounds from marine reserves | 18 Ingredients: water, hyaluronic acids of different weights, vitamin B5 |
| Ingredient Callouts | Parabens, sulfates SLS & SLES, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and is held in recyclable packaging | Parabens, phthalates, oil, alcohol, silicone, nuts, and gluten, vegan and cruelty-free |
| Amount Of Product | 1oz/30mL | Standard: 1oz/30mL Value: 2oz/60mL |
| Benefits | Plumping, softening, anti-aging, acne-fighting | Plumping, softening, nourishing, moisture-barrier strengthening |
| Which Skin Types Benefit | All skin types, especially acne-prone, oily, or combo skin | All skin types, especially dry skin |
| How To Use | Apply a couple of drops on damp skin in AM/PM, use immediately after cleansing as the first step of the routine | Apply a couple of drops on damp skin in AM/PM, use immediately after cleansing as the first step of the routine |
Now that you have more insight into both of the products, you can make a more educated decision into which one will be better for your skin type- and you can have nourished, moisturized skin all year round!
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