Naked & Thriving vs. The Ordinary: Which Hyaluronic Acid Serum is Best?
I've been a dermatologist for close to 10 years and I still see patients daily who are struggling with various skin concerns, such as visible fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, uneven complexions, and dry, oily, or sensitive skin.
So many of my patients seem to think that the only way is to go in for expensive or invasive treatments like microneedling, fillers, and Botox®.
Here's what they don't know - so many of their visible skin concerns can be effectively and affordably managed by the use of topical skincare products.
One of my top recommendations? Hyaluronic acid serums.
Hyaluronic Acid, is a naturally occurring substance in our skin that's key to maintaining the skin’s plump, youthful glow.1 As we age, however, its production diminishes and this decline is thought to lead to visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and a noticeable loss of plumpness.2
This is where hyaluronic acid serums come into play, they can help rejuvenate the skin with this all-important molecule. 3
In this article, I'll be comparing two popular choices for Hyaluronic Acid serums: Naked & Thriving's Renew Resurfacing Night Serum and The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum.
Let's dive into the details and discover which one is the best for you.
The products...
First up is Naked & Thriving's Renew Resurfacing Night Serum, a highly praised serum from a well-loved brand with a cult following. The brand focuses on using naturally-derived, vegan ingredients and is formulated with nothing else.
This specific serum is formulated to provide the skin with essential botanicals for radiant, healthy-looking skin. This serum has an ultra-special place in my skincare routine and I'm excited to share its benefits with you!!
Now let's talk about The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum.
This is a more budget-affordable option that has garnered attention for its low price point and accessibility -- you see it everywhere! This is definitely a great option for those on a budget but may not be the most effective serum out there for achieving visible results...
So, let's compare these two serums:
My winner for ingredients? Naked & Thriving
The most important thing to consider when purchasing skincare products is the ingredient list - the formula will directly impact your skin's visible health and appearance!
The heart and soul ingredient of both of these serums is Hyaluronic Acid, no surprises there.
In my experience, when this amazing ingredient is included in these sorts of serums, you can get an almost-instant visible glow and plumped appearance when applied to the skin!
But what about long-term visible results...?
Hyaluronic Acid alone can help deliver those near-immediate visible results I mentioned, but I have found that the addition of other ingredients in a serum like this can contribute to long-term effects on visible wrinkles, gradually enhancing the skin's appearance over time.
Alongside Hyaluronic Acid, Renew contains a number of naturally-derived botanicals like Alpha-Hydroxy Acid & Ferulic Acid, just to name a few. Studies show Alpha Hydroxy Acids can support the skin’s natural turnover process for a visibly brighter, smoother-looking complexion.5 There's also research to show that antioxidants can fend off the sorts of environmental stressors (debris in the air, etc.) that can contribute to visible signs of aging! 6
That's why I'm so grateful I found Renew! It's amazing to me because it's designed to provide both longer and shorter-term visible results for a glowy, youthful-looking complexion that you can use consistently in your routine.
Now let's talk about The Ordinary's serum. This serum boosts its Hyaluronic Acid formula with Vitamin B5. Also known as Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B5 has been shown to help support the skin barrier and improve the skin’s appearance. 7 Like most products from The Ordinary brand, this Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum has a brief, simple ingredient list, free from unnecessary fillers and fragrances.
While the Ordinary's serum does offer some visible benefits, it may fall short compared to Naked & Thriving's Renew serum, largely due to the superior variety (and quantity) of Renew's premium ingredients... More than anything I'd say The Ordinary serum is really more suited for skincare newbies.
My winner for price? The Ordinary
When it comes to price, The Ordinary's serum is significantly more affordable, with a price tag of around $10 -- which is great for skincare newbies.
Naked & Thriving's Renew falls into the "premium" skincare category and is priced a little higher but if you ask me -- formulation wise it's well worth it compared to The Ordinary!
But like I mentioned above - it's the variety of ingredients you're paying for that matters.
My winner for ethics? Naked & Thriving
For many skincare enthusiasts, ethical considerations such as cruelty-free and vegan formulations play a crucial role in deciding which products to purchase.
In this regard, both Naked & Thriving and The Ordinary score equally, almost...
Both brands are committed to creating cruelty-free products and hold certifications to back up their claims.
Additionally, both Renew Resurfacing Night Serum and The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum are certified vegan, which means they're formulated without animal-derived ingredients.
However, Naked & Thriving goes that extra mile...
They use recyclable glass jars, FSC-certified paper, and vegetable-based inks in their packaging!
They also have a partnership to plant a tree for every bottle they sell – I adore this idea!
For me, Naked & Thriving takes another victory here!
My winner for texture? Naked & Thriving
The texture of a serum can impact how it feels on your skin and can even contribute to its overall effectiveness.
The Ordinary's serum felt a bit sticky and tacky on my skin, leaving a slight residue, which makes it difficult to layer other products on top of it and may not be the best for anyone with oily skin.
On another note, I did feel some stinging the first few times I applied this serum, though this may be related to the products that I used earlier in my skincare routine. I would recommend that those with sensitive skin perform a patch test before using it.
In contrast, Naked & Thriving's Renew has a smoother texture. It absorbs easily into the skin, providing a more comfortable experience for nighttime application and further skincare layering.
I didn’t experience any irritation or negative reactions to Renew, instead, my skin felt instantly hydrated and looked so much more healthy!
MY Winner for VISIBLE results? Naked & Thriving
** Renew “before” photos captured January 20th, 2023 in Bradenton, Florida. Renew “after” photos (black shirt and headband) taken on February 23rd, 2023 in West Bradenton, Florida.
In terms of visible results, Naked & Thriving's Renew Resurfacing Night Serum is my clear winner. I noticed a difference in the appearance of my skin from the very first application and the visible results just keep getting better!
And it’s not just me seeing it - I’ve been getting compliments from my patients, obsessing over how glowy and youthful my skin looks now. It’s been well over 6 months now and the compliments just keep coming!
My patients keep asking
"Doc, have you gotten younger since the last time I saw you?!"
And it's thanks to Renew...
I love, too, that Renew is backed by clinical results too! In an Independent Clinical Study of 33 Renew users, 100% showed an increase in hydration and 97% showed a decrease in visible fine lines and wrinkles.* It's true that results can vary from person to person but those are some pretty impressive stats!!
In contrast to this the The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum also gave me that near-instant hydrated feeling that comes with any good HA serum.
Despite this, I haven’t seen the same long-term results as with Renew, so to me there's a clear winner overall in this contest...
Conclusion
In the end, Naked & Thriving's Renew Resurfacing Night Serum comes out on top in terms of ingredients and texture, despite being a little more expensive than The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum.
In my opinion, when it comes to skincare, investing in a high-quality, effective product like Renew is definitely worth it. Your skin will thank you for it!
© 2021. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. The Bare Beauty Babes and/or it’s contributors may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission.
*The information provided on this website and the products mentioned on the website are not intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease or to affect any structure or function of the skin or body. Results may vary. This information does not constitute medical advise and should not be relied upon as such. Medical advice for skin or otherwise must be made by consulting with a healthcare provider.