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revolution vs the ordinary hyaluronic acid serums dupe

Is Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum a dupe for The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5? I asked myself this question because I’m not a fan of the sticky texture of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Feel the same? Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum seems like the perfect dupe. It has a similar formula, an almost-identical packaging, and will cost you only 10p more. But, is it as effective? Is it worth switching or should you stick to The Ordinary, despite its inelegant texture? Let’s find out:

What Ingredients Do These Hyaluronic Acid Serums Have In Common?

HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN

Hyaluronic Acid is a moisture magnet on steroids. It attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water! All that moisture makes your skin super happy: it plumps it up, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller; it makes it softer to the touch; and it gives it a dewy glow.

Both The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Revolution 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum contain the same 2 forms of Hyaluronic Acid:

  • Sodium Hyaluronate
  • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Sodium Hyaluronate is a salt of Hyaluronic Acid. It has a lower molecular weight than Hyaluronic Acid, so it penetrates skin that little bit better. Talking about skin penetration, Hyaluronic Acid is a big molecule – too big to penetrate skin. It stays on the surface, hydrating the superficial layers. But, what if you want to hydrate the deeper ones, too?

The Ordinary is using 3  forms of HA with varying molecular weights (low, medium, and high) to reach every skin level. Revolution only mentions they’re using Sodium Hyaluronate. My guess is they’re using the traditional form that doesn’t penetrate skin too deeply. Sorry, Revolution. The Ordinary wins this one.

Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Skincare, No Matter Your Skin Type

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GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

Glycerin does the same thing as Hyaluronic Acid, but on a smaller scale. It’s a wonderful humectant: that’s a fancy way of saying it draws moisture from the air and locks it into your skin. Once there, this extra moisture softens, plumps, and brightens your skin. That’s the base you want to build the rest of your skincare routine on.

Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare

What Else Is In These Hyaluronic Acid Serums?

NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.

  • Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
  • Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
  • Red: What is this doing here?!

THE ORDINARY HYALURONIC ACID 2% + B5

  • Aqua (Water): It’s hydrating, but it’s mostly used as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients.
  • Pentylene Glycol: A humectant that binds water from the air into your skin, increasing its moisture level. It makes skin softer and suppler.
  • Propanediol: It hydrates skin and helps active ingredients better penetrate it.
  • Panthenol: Another humectant that hydrates skin. It also has soothing properties.
  • Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract: A type of algae with soothing and antioxidant properties for skin.
  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: A chelating agent. It neutralises the metal ions in the water before they have a chance to spoil the formula.
  • Citric Acid: It helps to adjust the pH of skincare products.
  • Isoceteth-20: It can stabilise ingredients into water.
  • Ethoxydiglycol: A solvent that helps skincare ingredients better penetrate skin, so they provide better and faster results.
  • Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative with hydrating properties.
  • Hexylene Glycol: It makes the texture easier to spread.
  • 1,2-Hexanediol: A synthetic preservative that inhibits the growth of germs and bacteria in skincare products.
  • Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that helps skincare products last longer by killing any bacteria that may grow in it.
  • Caprylyl Glycol: It hydrates skin and has mild preservative properties.

REVOLUTION SKINCARE 2% HYALURONIC ACID SERUM

  • Aqua/Water/Eau: It’s hydrating, but it’s mostly used as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients.
  • Propanediol: It hydrates skin and helps active ingredients better penetrate it.
  • Butylene Glycol: A humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin and hydrates it.
  • Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your skincare products.
  • Potassium Sorbate: Another preservative that keeps your skincare products safe from bacteria contamination.
  • Disodium Edta: A chelating agent. It neutralises the metal ions in the water before they have a chance to spoil the formula.
  • Pentylene Glycol: Another humectant that draws moisture from the air into your skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
  • Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative with hydrating properties.

WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 also contains Panthenol (the B5 in the name), another moisture-magnet with soothing properties. It moisturises skin, helps repair the skin’s protective barrier and even calms down irritations.

Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum doesn’t contain any extras. It has fewer ingredients, so if you have sensitive skin, there’s less chance of an irritation.

Related: Is Panthenol The Best Head To Toe Moisturiser?

What’s The Texture Like?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is lightweight, but has a sticky texture. There’s no way around that.

Revolution 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum is lightweight and less sticky. It has the best texture out of the two.

What’s The Packaging Like?

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 comes in a white bottle with a dropper applicator. Just like most of the brand’s products do.

Revolution 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum has an almost identical packaging. Coincidence? Mmmm… The bottle has a dropper applicator, but is decorated with rose gold accents.

How To Use Them

You can use these hyaluronic acid serums up to twice a day, morning and/or evening, right before moisturiser. If you’re using other serums (for example, retinol or Vitamin C), use those first. Hyaluronic acid works wonders, no matter on how many layers you apply it. But retinol and Vitamin C really need to be as close to skin as possible to work their magic.

Which Of The Two Should You Go For?

Availability

Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£7.00): Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Revolution Skincare

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£7.90): Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta

Is Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum A Dupe For The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?

THE ORDINARY REVOLUTION SKINCARE
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
OTHER INGREDIENTS Panthenol. No other key ingredient of interest.
TEXTURE Lightweight and sticky. Lightweight and less sticky.
PACKAGING White bottle with dropper applicator. White bottle with gold rose accents with dropper applicator.
PERFORMANCE Very hydrating, makes skin softer and plumper. Less hydrating. But it has fewer ingredients, so there’s a smaller chance of irritation.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL Low Lower

Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid isn’t an exact dupe for The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. It’s a more basic version of it. But, it has a better texture.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Revolution Skincare 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.