14 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums for Dewy, Hydrated Skin
When it comes to the ABCs of skincare, one of the most popular, buzzworthy words starts with the letter H—for hyaluronic acid. The skin-loving ingredient can be found pretty much everywhere and in almost any skincare product that promises to deliver plump, glowing skin that’s loaded with hydration. It’s true, the skincare world can't get enough of hyaluronic acid, and honestly, neither can we. It’s safe for all skin types (even sensitive skin and acne-prone skin) and can help with a host of skin concerns like dry skin, dark spots, signs of aging, skin texture, and more. While the ingredient may sound super science-y (it can also exist in skincare as sodium hyaluronate), it’s really a gentle, naturally occurring substance (it already exists in our bodies!) that does wonders to keep your skin looking dewy, supple, and moisturized. Bottom line: We’re big fans.
So what is hyaluronic acid? "Hyaluronic acid is an all-star humectant," says dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD. "It binds to water, making the skin look dewy, hydrated, and glowing.” While hyaluronic acid is naturally found in your body, its natural aging process and exposure to the sun, smoke, and free radicals can decrease the amounts found in your skin over time.
According to Herrmann, applying hyaluronic acid topically will not only boost your skin's moisture levels but will also provide anti-aging benefits by "smoothing fine lines and filling hollows." The result? "A soft glow that isn’t oily in appearance," she says.
Are you ready to find your perfect HA serum match? You’ve come to the right place. Because we’re so obsessed, we compiled a list of 14 of the best hyaluronic acid serums to meet all your skincare needs.
About the Expert:
Jennifer Herrmann, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who studied at Princeton University and Harvard University. She is based in Los Angeles, California.
1. Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum to Transition From Summer to Fall:
FIRST AID BEAUTY Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Folks love CERAVE’s sensitive skin-friendly cleansers, but this dermatologist-fave brand’s serums get plenty of praise, too. This hyaluronic acid-infused option provides up to 24 hours of hydration, thanks to the addition of vitamin B5 and three essential ceramides. These all work together to lock in moisture and help strengthen and restore your skin’s protective barrier. It’s lightweight enough for those with both normal and dry skin.
2. Most Affordable Find:
THE ORDINARY Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
THE ORDINARY’s innovative formula uses three types of hyaluronic acid with varying molecular weights, as well as an hyaluronic acid crosspolymer, to offer seriously deep hydration and visible plumping action. The brand can barely keep it in stock for a reason. It’s also fragrance-free, oil-free, and vegan.
3. Best Anti-Aging Serum: L’OREÁL PARIS:
1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Fans love this anti-aging face serum for the way it plumps skin and fills in wrinkles, all without leaving behind a greasy residue. It sinks right into your skin, acting as a bit of a hydration booster. It's great for those with sensitive skin, too, since it’s fragrance-free, paraben-free, and noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores).
4. Best for Dry Skin:
NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Not only does this formula contain moisture-locking hyaluronic acid, it also features pro-vitamin B5 and glycerin, which both boost the hydration factor. Still, just because it’s keeping the moisture in your skin, doesn’t mean you’ll all of a sudden look like a greaseball. This formula is so lightweight, you’ll barely know you’re wearing it.
5. Best Plumping Serum:
PAULA’S CHOICE Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Most shop PAULA’s CHOICE stellar skincare for its acne-fighting benefits that don’t irritate sensitive skin. While this serum is a bit different, it still goes perfectly with your pore-clearing products. It gives dry skin a boost with hydration, filling in fine lines and wrinkles and reviving dullness. Those with oily skin might find this serum provides enough hydration, while those with dry skin might want to add a moisturizer on top.
6. Biggest Splurge:
SKINCEUTICALS Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier (H.A.)
Fans of SKINCEUTICALS’s hyaluronic acid serum swear it’s worth the price tag. That’s because it contains pure hyaluronic acid, proxylane, and botanical extracts of licorice root and purple rice. These combine to create a serum-gel formula that creates a canvas on the skin, making it perfect to use as a makeup primer.
7. Most Eczema-Friendly Serum:
VICHY Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
In this formula, pure hyaluronic acid and what the brand calls “15 Mineral-Rich Vichy Volcanic Water” come together to strengthen and repair your skin barrier. The product also promises to replenish your skin's moisture barrier, helping make it more resistant to stress from UV rays and pollution. Plus, it’s so lightweight that it’s even accepted by the National Eczema Association.
8. Best-Smelling Serum:
GLOW RECIPE Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum
GLOW RECIPE’s yummy serum doesn’t just smell like a juicy plum—it’s actually infused with plum and five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. These ingredients are combined with vegan collagen and vegan silk protein to fill each skin layer with hydration, helping you achieve plumper skin that's brighter and more even-toned. (Yes, hyaluronic acid can provide brightening benefits, too!)
9. Best for Sensitive Skin:
LA ROCHE-POSAY Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Like other kickass hyaluronic serums, LA ROCHE-POSAY’s includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for optimal effectiveness. But that’s not all it has. The addition of madecassoside makes it seriously sensitive-skin friendly—proving that you can get hydrated, softer, plumped-up skin without irritation.
10. Best Face Mist:
BIOSSANCE Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist
There are many forms of hyaluronic acid, and this face mist is a seriously refreshing one. It hydrates with two types of hyaluronic acid moisturizing squalane for all-day hydration. Use it in place of a serum in between skincare steps, or even as a way to set and revive your makeup. What can’t this face mist do?
11. Best Dermatologist-Made Serum:
DR. BARBARA STURM Hyaluronic Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s clients include Kate Moss, Cher, Angela Bassett, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley—just to name a few. So when she creates a moisture-locking serum, we pay attention. This one features a concentrated balance of low and high molecularly weighted hyaluronic acid to provide visible hydration overnight.
12. Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
HEY HONEY Good Morning Honey Silk Facial Serum
For those with acne-prone skin, honey just might be the secret ingredient your skincare routine is missing. Honey extract and propolis (the resin found in beehives) are packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, both of which can help to tame, heal, and prevent breakouts. This formula combines both of these ingredients with hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid and silk amino acids, which come with firming benefits that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
One Ipster describes this serum as having a "velvety, silky texture with a subtle clean scent." She says, "It's not heavy nor does it leave a greasy residue. It's surprisingly hydrating enough for typical dry skin and it's an awesome primer!"
13. Best Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum:
SYMBIOSIS SKINCARE Hyaluronic Acid + R.N.A. De-Puffing & Dark Circles Relief Eye Serum
Looking for a little TLC around the eye area? This specialized eye serum pairs hydrating hyaluronic acid with R.N.A., a high-tech skin conditioning agent that dramatically fights signs of aging. Collagen also comes into play here to boost elasticity and skin suppleness. Just a few drops of this to the eye area in the morning provides long-term anti-aging benefits while also helping you look well-rested and ready to take on the day.
"Love this under eye cream," one Ipster writes. "Truly makes a huge difference to dark under-eye circles with just a few uses!"
14. Best Brightening Serum:
DERMA E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum
Whether you're looking to target discoloration, blemishes, or a dull complexion, vitamin C is an ideal skincare ingredient to turn to. This brightening serum features a stabilized version of the antioxidant in a high concentration (a real win-win). The hero ingredient is paired with hydrating hyaluronic acid (of course) as well as nourishing green tea extract and soothing aloe vera. Smooth a few drops around your face and neck morning and night for a radiant, all-over glow.
"Loved it so much that it was gone in two weeks," one Ipster writes. "And I used it as directed! Perfect consistency and it left my skin feeling supple and not one bit greasy."
15. Best Serum for Combination Skin:
CLARITYRX Get Balanced™ Probiotic Serum
For those with combination skin, balancing out an oily T-zone with dry patches can feel like a never-ending battle. To help even things out, you might try this hyaluronic acid serum that comes packed with balancing probiotics. This buzzy skincare addition can help keep your skin's microbiome healthy, balancing out oily and dry areas while also keeping pore-clogging bacteria at bay.
"Obsessed!!! I cannot live without this product now," says one Ipster. Another adds, "Excellent product. Improved my skin Immediately! Cleaner complexion. Softens wrinkles. Feeds your skin."
16. Best Pure Hyaluronic Acid:
LUÉ BY JEAN SEO Balance Hydrating and Calming Serum
Looking for a serum that contains just hyaluronic acid? Our hero ingredient is a one-woman show in this formula. The simplistic serum is ideal if you're a skincare expert who is fitting this into a customized multi-step routine, or if you just like to keep your skincare routine super easy. This is clean hydration at its finest.
"I was unsure of this product at first, but once I tried it I totally fell in love," says Lexijane143 Ipster. "It melts right into my skin fast but leaves it feeling so good!"
17. Best All-in-One Serum:
THE NUE CO THE PILL ALL-IN-1 SERUM
If a multi-step skincare routine sounds like a nightmare to you, this serum does the work of about three different products in one fell swoop. Seriously, we're not sure how it pairs so many benefits into one quick step. While hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates, AHAs gently exfoliate and resurface the skin. The formula even features calming tiger grass extract to keep your complexion super soothed. It's minimal effort for maximum results.
"This is a really great serum," one Ipster writes. "It is fading some of my old marks and makes my skin feel good."
18. Best Retinol Serum:
SUNDAY RILEY A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are a skincare match made in heaven. Since high-strength retinol (like the kind featured in this SUNDAY RILEY formula) can sometimes be irritating on the skin, hyaluronic acid helps to keep the skin calm and hydrated. When these two work together, you can essentially say goodbye to fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and breakouts without compromising your delicate moisture barrier. Pro tip: To make this even gentler, add a drop to a hyaluronic acid-packed moisturizer instead of applying it directly to the skin.
"Works well! I notice a difference with breakouts when used regularly," one Ipster writes. Another says, "This is the best find everrrrr! Lines around my eyes and mouth have been going away!!"
19. Best For Oily Skin:
AWAKE Glow Pill Serum
Need a little help with oil control? Try this serum that pairs hyaluronic acid with niacinamide (aka vitamin B3). The dermatologist-recommended ingredient is known to minimize the appearance of pores and regulate oil production. This skincare multitasker can even reduce redness and improve skin texture for a fresh-faced glow.
After using this lightweight gel serum, Ipster powell_3506 says, "This hydrating serum is such a delight, great for an oily face. It feels so silky and doesn't feel heavy at all."
Want to discover all the best skincare products for healthy, hydrated skin? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.
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