Can you use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 with The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?
Yes
Their key actives have no known conflict.
Based on 3 active-ingredient pairings, listed below.
Strength matters here
With the 1% retinol, the brand's high-strength option, the hyaluronic acid serum is there to offset dryness. If you are new to retinol, the same routine with the moderate 0.5% is gentler: Retinol 0.5% with hyaluronic acid 2% + B5.
How to use them
- Apply the thinner, more watery product first, then the thicker one.
- Finish with moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning.
Every active pairing checked
| Actives | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid + retinol | Yes | Yes. Hyaluronic acid is an easy, gentle partner for retinol. |
| Hyaluronic Acid + squalane | Yes | Yes. Hyaluronic acid and squalane can be used together. |
| Panthenol + retinol | Yes | Yes. Panthenol is a good soothing partner for retinol. |
What's in each product
Key actives
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Actives read from each brand's published ingredient list (as transcribed on INCIDecoder and INCIDecoder). Formulas change; check your bottle.
Sources
- Kafi R, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(5):606-612.
- Mukherjee S, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-348.
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: a key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-258.
- Pavicic T, et al. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(9):990-1000.
- Zanchetta C, Scandolera A, Reynaud R. Hyaluronic Acid in Topical Applications: The Various Forms and Biological Effects of a Hero Molecule in the Cosmetics Industry. Biomolecules. 2025;15(12):1656.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). Content current as of 07/06/2023.
- Fiume M, et al. Squalane and squalene. Int J Toxicol. 2023;42(3 Suppl):107S-109S.
- Huang ZR, Lin YK, Fang JY. Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules. 2009;14(1):540-554.
- Proksch E, et al. Topical use of dexpanthenol: a 70th anniversary article. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(8):766-773.
- Gorski J, et al. Dexpanthenol in wound healing after medical and cosmetic interventions (postprocedure wound healing). Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(7).
- INCIDecoder. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: ingredient list.
- INCIDecoder. The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane: ingredient list.