When it comes to getting dewy, hydrated skin, nothing delivers the way the best hyaluronic acid serum does. Despite the fact it has “acid” in the name, hyaluronic acid is a skin-care ingredient that works for everyone; in fact, the substance is naturally produced by our bodies and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
However, your skin’s level of hyaluronic acid decreases with age, so if you’re looking to maintain your moisture barrier and replenish hydration levels, you may want to consider incorporating hyaluronic acid-infused products into your daily skin-care routine. (You’ll also see HA commonly listed as sodium hyaluronate, which is a stabilized version of the ingredient.)
Known as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is “great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, tells Allure. “We can inject hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin to help restore lost volume, but used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration.” (In fact, you can quite literally get hyaluronic acid fillers at your board-certified dermatologist’s office, but we’re just talking about the topical formulations in this story.)
With their non-irritating nature, hyaluronic acid serums are generally usable across multiple skin types, including sensitive skin, Jacquelyn Sink, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure. To get the most benefits out of your serum experience, she shares her preferred application method. “Hyaluronic acid serums are best applied to slightly damp skin and before applying other products,” Dr. Sink explains. “Moisturizing with a thicker cream or serum afterward can help lock in hydration.”
You’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in the hydration of your skin with use, Dr. Sink says. “Long-term benefits are seen as early as two weeks with continued improvement through several months,” she adds.
All year round, our skin craves moisture to counteract a rainbow of skin-care concerns, such as sun exposure, signs of aging (like fine lines), loss of elasticity, and dehydrated skin. Read on to see our editor-approved list of picks.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum, $44
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $40
- Best Luxury: Alastin HA Immerse Serum, $113
- Best for Dry Skin: Paula’s Choice Boost Hyaluronic Acid Booster, $39
- Best for Oily Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Concentrate, $103
- Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
- Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $23
- Best Silicone-Free: Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum, $54