Final Up to date on October 28, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 is a type of serums that makes you surprise why skincare manufacturers insist on cramming 27 components into all the pieces. It has simply seven. The celebs? Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, two components that know a factor or two about hydration. The promise is easy: plumper, smoother, extra hydrated pores and skin. No wrinkle-erasing miracles or guarantees to show again the clock. Only a massive drink of water for thirsty pores and skin. However at £45 a bottle, is that sufficient to justify the value?
The Verdict
My score: 4/5
Finest for: Dehydrated pores and skin that wants a critical moisture enhance with out a heavy, greasy serum.
Skip it if: You’re on a funds. You can get hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for a lot much less.
What I like: Light-weight, silky texture that absorbs in seconds with out leaving a sticky mess. Perfume-free and layers fantastically underneath moisturiser.
What I don’t: $54 for a hydrating serum? Ouch. And it’s not sufficient on its personal if your pores and skin is very dry.
Backside line: Medik8 Hydr8 B5 does precisely what I need a hydrating serum to do: it leaves my pores and skin softer, plumper, and hydrated. And the texture is a dream. Is it price $54? If you hate sticky serums and don’t thoughts splurging, completely. In any other case, there are cheaper methods to hold your pores and skin hydrated.
Key Substances For Medik8 Hydra8 B5: What Does The Science Say?
Panthenol: Extra Than Simply One other Hydrating Ingredient
Why hassle including panthenol while you’ve already received hyaluronic acid? As a result of hydration isn’t nearly attracting water. Your pores and skin wants to carry onto it, too.
Panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, does each. It attracts moisture and reduces water loss through the skin, serving to it keep hydrated for longer. It also soothes irritation and helps damaged skin recover. Useful in case your love affair with retinol has left your pores and skin crimson, dry, and begging for a break.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Does Hyaluronic Acid Dwell Up To The Hype?
Hyaluronic acid is in every single place nowadays, and for as soon as, the skincare business has an excellent purpose to be obsessed. Sodium hyaluronate is a type of hyaluronic acid that pulls and binds water to your pores and skin, improving hydration and making fine lines less obvious. Let’s be clear on one factor: sodium hyaluronate (identical to some other ingredient) can’t eliminate wrinkles. As an alternative, it plumps up the pores and skin round them. It’s an optical phantasm, however you continue to look youthful, so I’ll take it.
Medik8 makes use of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate different layers of skin. The bigger types keep on the floor and hydrate that whereas the smaller ones get deeper into your pores and skin, infusing moisture via the opposite layers. Does that make Hydr8 B5 dramatically higher than each different hyaluronic acid serum? Not essentially. But it surely does an excellent job certainly.
Associated: Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Glycolic Acid?
My Expertise With Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum
I’ve a love-hate relationship with hyaluronic acid serums. Love what they do for my pores and skin. Hate that sticky feeling a few of them go away behind. Fortunately, Medik8 Hydr8 B5 doesn’t have that drawback.
It’s barely thick when it comes out of the dropper, however turns watery as quickly as I therapeutic massage it in. It absorbs in seconds, with no stickiness, greasiness, or annoying residue. I can put my moisturiser straight on prime with out all the pieces turning right into a sticky mess. There’s no perfume, both. Only a easy glass bottle with a dropper that does the job.
And my pores and skin? It loves these items. It feels softer, smoother, and noticeably plumper straight after utility. The tightness disappears, and with common use, my pores and skin stays hydrated as an alternative of getting dry once more a few hours later. Even these pesky dehydration strains look much less apparent.
My solely grievance? The worth. $54 for a hyaluronic acid serum isn’t precisely pocket change, particularly when you will get the identical components for significantly much less. However I can’t deny how pretty this one feels on my pores and skin. If it’s in your funds, why not?
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 vs Different Hyaluronic Acid Serums: Which Is Higher?
Hyaluronic acid serums are in every single place, from £9 bargains to £120 bottles. They all promise plumper, smoother pores and skin, so what precisely are you paying additional for? Typically, a higher method. Typically, a nicer texture. And generally, a very costly bottle of wishful pondering. Right here’s how Medik8 Hydra8 B5 compares to different widespread hyaluronic acid serums available on the market:
- The Bizarre Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (With Ceramides) ($9.90): Medik8 vs The Bizarre Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: The Bizarre wins. 5 types of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and added barrier-supporting lipids for a fraction of Medik8’s value? That’s onerous to argue with. The new method is a lot much less sticky than the previous one, too. Medik8 feels nicer on my pores and skin, however The Bizarre offers you extra components for much less cash. Out there at: Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
- NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complicated ($43.00): NIOD wins if you wish to go all out on hydration. It has 15 totally different varieties of hyaluronic acid and other humectants to infuse a waterfall of moisture into your skin. Its watery texture feels light-weight, though it can be a little sticky. Medik8 feels nicer on the pores and skin, however NIOD is far more hydrating. Check out my full review of NIOD here. Out there at: Cult Beauty, Niod, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Alternative Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($39.00): Select Paula’s Alternative if your pores and skin is dry and your pores and skin barrier wants some TLC. It combines hyaluronic acid and panthenol with three ceramides and ldl cholesterol, components your pores and skin makes use of to hold moisture from escaping. The catch? It’s barely sticky and comes in a tiny 15ml bottle. Out there at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice and SpaceNK
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum ($42.99): It has a thicker, sticky texture, regardless of containing alcohol denat to skinny it. Alcohol may be drying, however the serum has hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and madecassoside, which helps soothe pores and skin, to counteract that. Personally, I’d select Medik8. It offers me the hydration I need with out the fragrance or the sticky end. Out there at: Cult Beauty, La Roche Posay, Look Fantastic, Target, Ulta, and Walmart
- SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Multi-Glycan ($120.00): SkinCeuticals wins for anti-ageing. Not like Medik8, it comprises 12% Proxylane, which can improve visible signs of ageing. The catch? It’s nearly three instances the value of Medik8. Ouch! Out there at: Blue Mercury, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Skinceuticals, and SpaceNK
Does Medik8 Hydra8 B5 Dwell Up To Its Claims?
| BRAND | CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Instantly floods the pores and skin with moisture whereas boosting its pure moisture retention and regeneration skills for even longer-lasting hydration. | It may possibly’t regenerate pores and skin. Every part else is true. |
| This light-weight method leaves pores and skin replenished with out clogging your pores. Ideally suited for regular to delicate pores and skin varieties. | True. |
| Effortlessly smooths the look of high-quality strains and wrinkles whereas selling a plumper, extra supple-looking complexion. | A flowery means of claiming it plumps up high-quality strains and wrinkles, so they appear smaller to the bare eye. True. |
Worth & Availability
$54 at Cult Beauty, Medik8 and SpaceNK
The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?
Completely! It hydrates my pores and skin fantastically, absorbs in seconds, and doesn’t go away a sticky mess behind. Sure, you can get hyaluronic acid for much less, however a good method is about extra than its components. I love how this one feels and performs, and I’m blissful to pay additional for it.
