Last Updated on October 28, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 is one of those serums that makes you wonder why skincare brands insist on cramming 27 ingredients into everything. It has just seven. The stars? Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, two ingredients that know a thing or two about hydration. The promise is simple: plumper, smoother, more hydrated skin. No wrinkle-erasing miracles or promises to turn back the clock. Just a big drink of water for thirsty skin. But at £45 a bottle, is that enough to justify the price?
The Verdict
My rating: 4/5
Best for: Dehydrated skin that needs a serious moisture boost without a heavy, greasy serum.
Skip it if: You’re on a budget. You can get hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for a lot less.
What I like: Lightweight, silky texture that absorbs in seconds without leaving a sticky mess. Fragrance-free and layers beautifully under moisturiser.
What I don’t: $54 for a hydrating serum? Ouch. And it’s not enough on its own if your skin is very dry.
Bottom line: Medik8 Hydr8 B5 does exactly what I want a hydrating serum to do: it leaves my skin softer, plumper, and hydrated. And the texture is a dream. Is it worth $54? If you hate sticky serums and don’t mind splurging, absolutely. Otherwise, there are cheaper ways to keep your skin hydrated.
Key Ingredients For Medik8 Hydra8 B5: What Does The Science Say?
Panthenol: More Than Just Another Hydrating Ingredient
Why bother adding panthenol when you’ve already got hyaluronic acid? Because hydration isn’t just about attracting water. Your skin needs to hold onto it, too.
Panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, does both. It attracts moisture and reduces water loss through the skin, helping it stay hydrated for longer. It also soothes irritation and helps damaged skin recover. Handy if your love affair with retinol has left your skin red, dry, and begging for a break.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Does Hyaluronic Acid Live Up To The Hype?
Hyaluronic acid is everywhere these days, and for once, the skincare industry has a good reason to be obsessed. Sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and binds water to your skin, improving hydration and making fine lines less obvious. Let’s be clear on one thing: sodium hyaluronate (just like any other ingredient) can’t get rid of wrinkles. Instead, it plumps up the skin around them. It’s an optical illusion, but you still look younger, so I’ll take it.
Medik8 uses different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate different layers of skin. The larger forms stay on the surface and hydrate that whereas the smaller ones get deeper into your skin, infusing moisture through the other layers. Does that make Hydr8 B5 dramatically better than every other hyaluronic acid serum? Not necessarily. But it does a very good job indeed.
Related: Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Glycolic Acid?
My Experience With Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum
I have a love-hate relationship with hyaluronic acid serums. Love what they do for my skin. Hate that sticky feeling some of them leave behind. Thankfully, Medik8 Hydr8 B5 doesn’t have that problem.
It’s slightly thick when it comes out of the dropper, but turns watery as soon as I massage it in. It absorbs in seconds, with no stickiness, greasiness, or annoying residue. I can put my moisturiser straight on top without everything turning into a sticky mess. There’s no fragrance, either. Just a simple glass bottle with a dropper that does the job.
And my skin? It loves this stuff. It feels softer, smoother, and noticeably plumper straight after application. The tightness disappears, and with regular use, my skin stays hydrated instead of getting dry again a couple of hours later. Even those pesky dehydration lines look less obvious.
My only complaint? The price. $54 for a hyaluronic acid serum isn’t exactly pocket change, especially when you can get the same ingredients for considerably less. But I can’t deny how lovely this one feels on my skin. If it’s in your budget, why not?
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 vs Other Hyaluronic Acid Serums: Which Is Better?
Hyaluronic acid serums are everywhere, from £9 bargains to £120 bottles. They all promise plumper, smoother skin, so what exactly are you paying extra for? Sometimes, a better formula. Sometimes, a nicer texture. And sometimes, a very expensive bottle of wishful thinking. Here’s how Medik8 Hydra8 B5 compares to other popular hyaluronic acid serums on the market:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (With Ceramides) ($9.90): Medik8 vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: The Ordinary wins. Five forms of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and added barrier-supporting lipids for a fraction of Medik8’s price? That’s hard to argue with. The new formula is much less sticky than the old one, too. Medik8 feels nicer on my skin, but The Ordinary gives you more ingredients for less money. Available at: Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
- NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex ($43.00): NIOD wins if you want to go all out on hydration. It has 15 different types of hyaluronic acid and other humectants to infuse a waterfall of moisture into your skin. Its watery texture feels lightweight, although it can be a little sticky. Medik8 feels nicer on the skin, but NIOD is way more hydrating. Check out my full review of NIOD here. Available at: Cult Beauty, Niod, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($39.00): Choose Paula’s Choice if your skin is dry and your skin barrier needs some TLC. It combines hyaluronic acid and panthenol with three ceramides and cholesterol, ingredients your skin uses to keep moisture from escaping. The catch? It’s slightly sticky and comes in a tiny 15ml bottle. Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice and SpaceNK
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum ($42.99): It has a thicker, sticky texture, despite containing alcohol denat to thin it. Alcohol can be drying, but the serum has hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and madecassoside, which helps soothe skin, to counteract that. Personally, I’d choose Medik8. It gives me the hydration I want without the perfume or the sticky finish. Available 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. Unlike Medik8, it contains 12% Proxylane, which can improve visible signs of ageing. The catch? It’s almost three times the price of Medik8. Ouch! Available at: Blue Mercury, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Skinceuticals, and SpaceNK
Does Medik8 Hydra8 B5 Live Up To Its Claims?
| BRAND | CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Immediately floods the skin with moisture while boosting its natural moisture retention and regeneration abilities for even longer-lasting hydration. | It can’t regenerate skin. Everything else is true. |
| This lightweight formula leaves skin replenished without clogging your pores. Ideal for normal to sensitive skin types. | True. |
| Effortlessly smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting a plumper, more supple-looking complexion. | A fancy way of saying it plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, so they look smaller to the naked eye. True. |
Price & Availability
$54 at Cult Beauty, Medik8 and SpaceNK
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
Absolutely! It hydrates my skin beautifully, absorbs in seconds, and doesn’t leave a sticky mess behind. Yes, you can get hyaluronic acid for less, but a good formula is about more than its ingredients. I love how this one feels and performs, and I’m happy to pay extra for it.