Marine Hyaluronics from The Ordinary uses marine-derived water reservoirs that act as hyaluronic acid in that it performs as a humectant. This product claims to attract and hold water to the skin, providing hydration.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Algae Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

This product contains skin-friendly bacteria, red algae, blue-green algae, glycoprotein (works with ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, ceramides for healthy-looking skin) and amino acids. Sodium lactate can be used as a humectant.

Contrary to the name of this product, it does not contain hyaluronic acid. Some find hyaluronic acid products to be sticky or tacky and to pill under other products, such as with The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, that some reviewers have mentioned. I have not tried this one yet (I’m not sure I will) so can’t compare the two.

Directions state to apply a few drops to clean skin, morning and night, before creams.

For reference, my skin is oily in summer and combination in winter and prone to breakouts. I live in an area that is dry in both winter and summer. I’ve been using the Marine Hyaluronics for about 9 months, morning and evening.

The product comes in a dropper bottle. It is a light-weight, clear product with a very thin, water-like consistency. Because it so thin, I put the drops directly on my skin from the dropper; otherwise it runs through my fingers if applied that way. This might be better in a spray bottle. This can be mixed with The Ordinary’s 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder.

Some reviewers have mentioned that it smells bad; like fish or seaweed. I’ve purchased three bottles thus far and if anything, I thought it had maybe a plastic-like scent in the bottle; definitely not fish or seaweed, and I don’t smell anything when it is on my skin.

I apply this after cleansing and toning. The Marine Hyaluronics soaks right into the skin with no residue and no pilling with other products. When I used this for the first few weeks, my skin felt a bit more hydrated and not as tight, but I thought it should perhaps be doing more. I got no unusual breakouts with use.

I caught a YouTube video on hyaluronic acid and how these serums really only work when it’s raining and there’s a lot of moisture in the air. I figured the same must be true of the Marine Hyaluronics (being a humectant), so I then started misting my face with water; something like Caudalie Grape Water, Evian Mineral Water Spray or tap water in a spray bottle, then applying the Marine Hyaluronics. Neither water nor hyaluronic acid are hydrating on their own, but together they made quite a difference to my skin. This is how I found out I have dehydrated skin even though it is oily.

Since using a water mist, then applying the Marine Hyaluronics, my skin has been hydrated, less tight and more plump-looking with an overall nicer complexion. I use this on my hands and lips as well which are frequently dry. I also use this under my eyes. This product, along with NIOD’s SDSM, seemed to provide enough hydration for me in the summer, and now that it is getting colder, I’ve just started using the Cosrx Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream.

To note, for skin to be fully moisturized while preventing water loss, it needs an emollient, a humectant and an occlusive, so water and the Marine Hyaluronics alone do not provide all three.

I quite like The Ordinary’s Marine Hyaluronics and have repurchased a few times now. I notice that my skin has a dry, slightly tight feeling when I do not use this product.

Thank you for reading.