Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 versus The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA .

Last updated on February 16, 2024. Published on May 17, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

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 need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Starts at $8.90
Shop

Buy Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Starts at $11.50

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 9.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Humectant, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.

Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.

Learn more about Ethoxydiglycol

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 12.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 16.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 11.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

47% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
24% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 17 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 reviews

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 8 reviews
AshN.'s Avatar'
Feb 13, 2024

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of...

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
Doesn't Work
Qinasofree's Avatar'
Jul 11, 2022

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

Alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.

Our Dupe Finder has found 39 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.

See 39 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...