The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · SkinMedica
$192 · 1.7 fl oz (60 ml)
A hydrating serum-cream built on several sizes of hyaluronic acid (hyaluronate, hydrolyzed HA, crosspolymer), glycerin and urea, with a collagen ingredient, plant lipids and a grape cell extract.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
The Ordinary
The Ordinary
Adds: Multi-weight hyaluronic acid
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split HA5 Hydra Collagen Hydrator with Vegan Collagen into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
Three forms of HA hold water at different skin depths.
Classic humectants that pull in and hold water.
A film-forming humectant; it sits on the surface rather than rebuilding collagen.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
Passionfruit seed oil, shea-type butter, linoleic acid soften and seal.
Optional
74 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
93 is our ceiling. Collagen ingredient has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total ~$9.91
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total ~$19.81
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
The Ordinary
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. Uses skin-identical moisturizing factors plus HA; the closest on the humectant side.
The Ordinary
Why it is close. A published 2% multi-weight HA serum with B5 and ceramides. Water-thin rather than a rich hydrator.
CeraVe
Why it is close. A hydrating lotion with HA and ceramides; lighter on HA than the hydrator.
The Ordinary
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
The Ordinary
Adds: Multi-weight hyaluronic acid
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
CeraVe
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowCeraVe
Hyaluronic acid creams of different molecular weights improved hydration and wrinkles in a 2011 study.
Pavicic 2011 · J Drugs DermatolOver-the-counter moisturizers significantly improved skin hydration.
Nguyen 2023 · J Drugs DermatolWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, C9-12 Alkane, Propanediol, Linoleic Acid, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Collagen, Butyl Avocadate, Trehalose, Serine, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Flower Cell Extract, Linolenic Acid, Urea, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Algin, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopherol, Oleic Acid, Pullulan, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Potassium Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredient list from a third-party listing, not confirmed on the brand site. Source
We split HA5 Hydra Collagen Hydrator with Vegan Collagen into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 74 of a possible 93. 93 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 63 out of 100 for ~$9.91 (30 ml). It shares Hyaluronic acid, Amino acids and urea-type NMF.
HA5 Hydra Collagen Hydrator with Vegan Collagen costs $192 for 1.7 fl oz (60 ml). The closest dupe costs ~$9.91, a saving of about $182.09. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Collagen, Plant lipids. See our methodology for how we score.
SkinBetter Science · moisturizer
~$45.39our build, 4 partsOriginal ~$180, build ~$45.39.
CeraVe + The Ordinary + Vanicream
SkinBetter Science · moisturizer
~$59.38our build, 4 partsOriginal ~$160, build ~$59.38.
CeraVe + The Ordinary + Vanicream
SkinBetter Science · serum
~$56.99our build, 4 partsOriginal ~$245, build ~$56.99.
The Ordinary + CeraVe + The INKEY List