There’s nothing more exciting for us beauty aficionados than an ingredient or product that lives up to the hype, which is why the idea of hyaluronic acid serums are so exciting. Between the benefits of hyaluronic acid and the highly effective nature of serums, you really cannot go wrong with a hyaluronic acid serum! We’ve rounded up seven of our favorites.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: A good hyaluronic acid serum will help draw hydration to the skin, promoting a youthful appearance and a healthy glow. It is known to hold one thousand times its weight in water, making it a hydration powerhouse.
Good to Know: Hyaluronic acid is a true team player, working well with other ingredients like vitamin C or B5. Look for it in concentrations of 1 to 2%; anything more is completely unnecessary and can actually have drying effects..
Recommended Products: Just Dew It Hydrating Serum, Nectar of the C Vitamin C Serum.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Before we chat about our favorite hyaluronic acid serums, let’s just touch on some of the many benefits of hyaluronic acid itself. Perhaps its biggest claim to fame is its ability to help draw hydration to the skin and keep it there.
Did you know that hyaluronic acid is known to hold one thousand times its weight in water? This means plumper, more hydrated, smoother skin that glows with health. And as we all know – glowing, well-hydrated, healthy-looking skin is one of the best ways to look much younger than your years. Hyaluronic acid also helps keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay. It’s no wonder this hydrating super hero is so sought after.
Why use hyaluronic acid in a serum form, you may ask? Well, serums are formulated to do very specific jobs that target specific concerns, and they usually include a high concentration of effective active ingredients that are delivered deep into the skin.
Ingredients That Work Well With Hyaluronic Acid
One of the best things about hyaluronic acid is that it plays well with others – other ingredients, that is. While it has star power, it doesn’t need to be the only star in the show, mixing well with ingredients such as vitamin C, which can brighten the skin and restore its glow, or vitamin B5, which helps add moisture to the skin.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Now that we understand the benefits of hyaluronic acid and why serums are such a great way to reap those benefits, let’s get to it and talk about our favorites!
1. Best Overall Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Fleur & Bee: Just Dew It Hydrating Serum
Just Dew It is a SELF Healthy Beauty Award-winning serum, named the Best Serum for Dull and Dry Skin when we released it in 2022.
Combining the best that science and nature have to offer, we blended hyaluronic acid with 13 other nourishing actives to keep your skin plump and glowing all day long. Sea buckthorn oil is full of antioxidants to protect and further hydrate your skin; this naturally bright yellow oil is what lends the serums its pretty yellow hue. We’ve also included vitamin E-rich prickly pear oil, which soothes and brightens the skin. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil and squalane moisturize while balancing the skin’s natural oils. Apply this fan fave to clean skin morning and evening for best results.
2. Best Drugstore Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The Ordinary: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
We’ve chosen this popular hyaluronic acid for its affordability , but it could have fit into just about any of our other categories. Made for all skin types, this hyaluronic acid serum is fortified with vitamin B5 and is especially great for oily skin, as it’s water based.
3. Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C
Fleur & Bee: Nectar of the C Vitamin C Serum
Get the best of both worlds when combining skin-brightening vitamin C with hyaluronic acid. With Vitamin C to brighten and help reduce the signs of aging, plus the power of hyaluronic acid to restore hydration, Nectar of the C really does it all! Because vitamin C is antioxidant, it also helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors.
While there are a plethora of vitamin C serums on the market, ours is meant to work for all skin types while also delivering hydration to thirsty skin. This serum employs sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble form of vitamin C that is more gentle and less likely to irritate than other commonly-used variations. We’ve also included 9 other nourishing actives, including jojoba oil, aloe vera, vitamin E and squalane to keep your skin balanced and glowing.
4. Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with SPF
ILIA: Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
When you want your serum, sunscreen and makeup all in one step, ILIA has you covered (quite literally). Their Super Serum Skin Tint combines sunscreen, tint and hyaluronic acid serum with niacinamide for a flawless finish that protects and hydrates your skin throughout the day. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is another serious powerhouse skincare ingredient. It protects the skin from environmental stressors and helps to balance the skin’s natural oils. An all-encompassing selection of shades renders this super serum great for everyone and proves that your makeup can be beneficial for your skin, too.
5. Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Damaged and Dry Skin
Pacifica: Clean Shot Hyaluronic and Flowers
This concentrated solution of hyaluronic acid and flower extracts of rose, orange, jasmine, peony, and cherry and apple cell culture was specifically created for those with dry and damaged skin. It helps to restore the skin’s protective barrier while boosting the skin with hydration. This creamy tonic is very lightweight and easily absorbed into the skin.
6. Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Ceramides
Drunk Elephant: B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
What are ceramides, you might ask? Ceramides are fats or lipids that are found in skin cells, making up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer. Ceramides are important for retaining your skin's moisture and preventing environmental damage. Including ceramides in your skincare effectively restores your skin’s natural protective barrier. While hyaluronic acid will deeply hydrate your skin, ceramides hold in that water and moisture.
Get the best of both ingredients with this hydration serum from Drunk Elephant. With pineapple-derived ceramides plus Vitamin B5, it will replenish your skin while improving the texture and look of your skin.
7. Best Splurge Hyaluronic Acid Serum
U Beauty: Super Hydrator
When it is really time to treat yourself and cost is no hindrance, we found just the thing. U Beauty’s Super Hydrator is an award-winning patented formula that features long-chain hyaluronic acid, which they claim “is able to transport more water by weight than any other hyaluronic acid chain.” Combined with purified oat extract to soothe, shea butter to moisturize and avocado oil for its antioxidant properties, this hydrating serum delivers long lasting moisture and is touted by many to be worth the high price tag.
So there you have it– the best of the best hyaluronic acid serums out there! We hope that if you haven’t yet discovered the magic that is hyaluronic acid, this inspires you to give it a whirl and reap its undeniable benefits. We encourage you to incorporate this hero ingredient into your skincare routine for immediate hydration and happier skin.
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