Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Lower PFAS concern; no coating or treatment typical.
Hyaluronic acid and panthenol serums are humectants without intentional PFAS use. No brand disclosure on PFAS; routine cosmetic ingredient profile presents lower concern.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, humectants
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is made of, ingredients and materials
This serum consists primarily of water, hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring humectant that draws moisture into skin), and panthenol (provitamin B5, a skin conditioning agent). Neither hyaluronic acid nor panthenol are synthetic polymers, persistent chemicals, or known irritants at the concentrations used in skincare. The formulation is minimalist, which reduces the number of potential irritants or contaminants typically introduced in more complex products.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial or fungal growth from improper preservation
The product is water-based but no preservative is listed on the label, which is atypical for a liquid serum. Users should monitor for signs of contamination (cloudiness, separation, odor) and discard if present. Proper closure and cool storage are critical.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
No published data or recalls document 1,4-dioxane contamination in this product. The simple formulation with minimal surfactants or emulsifiers reduces likelihood of this byproduct.
Heavy metals
Hyaluronic acid and panthenol are not pigments and do not require mineral colorants. No heavy metal contamination has been reported for this serum.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
This formulation does not list preservative systems (such as imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin) that release formaldehyde. The simple ingredient list does not support this hazard.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens
The product is unscented and contains no fragrance, essential oils, or botanical extracts known to trigger sensitization. This eliminates a common allergen vector in skincare.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The Ordinary, owned by Estée Lauder, publishes full ingredient lists and has not faced major safety recalls or regulatory actions related to this product line. The brand does not prominently advertise third-party certifications (such as dermatologist testing or hypoallergenic claims) but maintains straightforward labeling. No established controversies regarding formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or heavy metal contamination are on record for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Hyaluronic acid serums are among the simplest skincare formulations. This one is notably free of common serum additives such as fragrance, essential oils, or botanical extracts that can introduce allergenic compounds or dyes. Most competing hyaluronic serums at similar price points carry similar ingredient profiles; The Ordinary's version does not stand out as higher or lower risk compared to mass-market alternatives.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin to maximize hydration (hyaluronic acid works best when skin moisture is present). Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; the product does not require refrigeration despite its water base. No special precautions are needed for normal facial use; replace if discoloration, separation, or odor develops, typically within 12 months of opening. Patch test first if you have extremely sensitive or compromised skin, as panthenol can rarely trigger irritation in atopic individuals.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The Ordinary has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
- Plant oils, butters, waxes
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water, oils, glycerin, botanical extracts
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens (botanical extracts)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More moisturizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.