Global Beauty Care Glowing Vitamin C Facial Serum Versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum
Updated on March 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Global Beauty Care Glowing Vitamin C Facial Serum 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Global Beauty Care Glowing Vitamin C Facial Serum 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientNonoxynol-9
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPEG-20
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Nonoxynol-9, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phospholipids, PEG-20
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Panthenol, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Global Beauty Care Glowing Vitamin C Facial Serum 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Global Beauty Care Glowing Vitamin C Facial Serum 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum 23 ingredients
there's better out there!
i like the ordinary. most of their products are wonderful and, impressively, effective. especially for being on the cheaper side. however, their hyaluronic acid serum isn't as impressive. i want to say I'm in love with this one, but i barely saw any results.
as i incorporated this serum into my routine, my skin felt a lot smoother like a baby's bum. i would use it Show more
a really moisturising hydrating serum!! dries tacky but i can get past that
