Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%: which should you buy?
The viral PDRN glow serum against a plain hydration staple with more reviews: multi-active glow versus plain water-binding.
medicube medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, Pink
4.6(23,477) £14.15£16.90-16% Check price on Amazon →
The Ordinary The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
4.6(40,726) £7.04£8.80-20% Check price on Amazon →The short answer
if you want one serum covering tone, firmness and glow rather than hydration alone.
if you want a simple, better-rated hydration layer that will not clash with the actives you already use.
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Side by side
| medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £14.15£16.90-16% See on Amazon → | £7.04£8.80-20% See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.6 |
| Review count | 23,477 | 40,726 |
| Amazon best-seller rank | #3 in Face Serums | #2 in Face Serums |
| Amazon purchases | 20K+ bought | 20K+ bought |
| Key active | salmon DNA PDRN | hyaluronic acid |
| Format | serum | - |
| Size | 1.01 fl.oz | - |
| Routine step | treat | treat |
| Best for | glow | - |
| Sensitive-skin friendly | Listing flags no strong actives | No data |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Two popular serums, level on score. The Salmon DNA PDRN serum and The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 both hold 4.6 out of 5, the PDRN serum from 23,477 reviews and The Ordinary from 40,726, with 81% at five stars against Medicube’s 76%. Both show 5% at one or two stars, so neither has a tail of unhappy buyers. They aim at different things. The Medicube is a multi-active pink serum, PDRN with peptides and niacinamide, pitched at uneven tone, firmness and glow, and its listing flags no strong actives. The Ordinary is a humectant base with B5 and ceramides, and nothing else. If your routine already has actives in it, the plain hydrator is the more useful addition and has the cleaner five-star share.
Which one is for you?
- Choose the Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want one serum covering tone, firmness and glow rather than hydration alone. Read our full look at the medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide →
- Choose The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 if you want a simple, better-rated hydration layer that will not clash with the actives you already use. See The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
The viral PDRN glow serum against a plain hydration staple with more reviews: multi-active glow versus plain water-binding.
Which is better, the medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
Neither is simply better; it depends on your skin and goal. Choose the Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want one serum covering tone, firmness and glow rather than hydration alone. Choose The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 if you want a simple, better-rated hydration layer that will not clash with the actives you already use.
Can I use the medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 together?
Often yes. If they sit at different routine steps you can layer them lightest to heaviest, and if they do the same job you would usually pick one. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test first.
Where these claims come from
- Star ratings and review counts: Amazon.co.uk's own figures for each listing, read on 2026-09-30.
- Prices and stock: read from each Amazon.co.uk listing, read on 2026-09-30.
- Best Sellers Rank and "bought in past month" badges: Amazon.co.uk's own figures, shown on the product page, read on 2026-09-30.
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · medicube.us
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · theordinary.com
We have not tested either product. Everything above is read from the listings and the manufacturer, with the dates shown, plus our own reading of what the two are for. Ratings are Amazon customers' scores, not ours.
Amazon.co.uk figures, not ours: prices read on 2026-09-30; star ratings and review counts read on 2026-09-30. Prices and ratings change; these are dated snapshots.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in PDRN & Salmon DNA or browse the whole range.