12 Of The Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
“Hyaluronic acid is a great addition to any skincare routine if you are looking to add a boost of hydration to the skin,” says Prudvi Kaka, DECIEM's Chief Scientific Officer. “A boost of hydration may be especially helpful during the colder months, when many people experience more skin dryness due to the weather.”
The fact that hyaluronic acid can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine and is good to use all-year round, explains why it’s included in so many skin products. On ingredient labels you'll often see sodium hyaluronate, which is the salt derivative of hyaluronic acid.
WHAT DOES HYALURONIC ACID DO FOR SKIN?
Without getting too science-y, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (GAG), a compound found in your skin. “It is a fundamental molecule for supporting skin hydration and elasticity due to its ability to bind and retain water,” Prudvi explains. “In cosmetics, hyaluronic acid functions as a humectant, an ingredient that draws in and retains moisture.”Hyaluronic acid not only tops up your skin’s hydration levels, it also provides skin barrier support, improves smoothness and suppleness and can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
“Hyaluronic acid is able to bind to water, which helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), retaining moisture within the skin,” says Prudvi. “This in turn helps support your skin barrier function, as lower TEWL is key to maintaining the skin barrier. Improvements in moisture retention help improve overall skin smoothness and provide plumper, more youthful looking skin.”
Prudvi states that all skin types can benefit from and use hyaluronic acid. With so many on the market, finding the best hyaluronic acid serums for you can be tricky. Read on for our recommendations.
THE BEST HYALURONIC ACID SERUMS FOR PLUMP, HYDRATED SKIN: OUR TOP 12 PICKS
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, £8.80
Best hyaluronic acid for beginners
The Ordinary has reformulated its budget-friendly, fan-favourite hyaluronic acid serum for even better absorption. The new and improved formula contains five forms of hyaluronic acid to smooth, plump and hydrate skin (the OG had just three forms), and ceramides to help support your skin’s barrier.
NATURIUM
Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%, £18.00
Best hyaluronic acid for sensitive skin
If you're looking for a formula that’s simple yet high quality then Naturium’s hyaluronic acid serum could be for you. Four different molecular weights hyaluronic acid work together to hydrate and help balance your skin’s barrier. Apply this gel-like serum to your face, neck and chest in the morning and evening.
Drunk Elephant
B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, £46.00
Best hyaluronic acid for textured skin
This ultra-hydrating serum combines sodium hyaluronate with pineapple ceramides to promote firmness and improve the texture and tone of your skin. An antioxidant complex of watermelon rind, apple and lentil provides all-day hydration and helps to lock in the moisture.
Medik8
Hydr8 B5 Intense, £20.00
Best hyaluronic acid for dry skin
This non-sticky, silky-soft serum features a fun, purple hue thanks to saskatoon berry, an antioxidant-rich superfood that protects your skin’s natural hyaluronic acid stash. The formula also contains multi-weight hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to help hydrate and plump. Apply a few drops of this serum morning and night, and make sure it fully absorbs into your skin before applying your moisturiser.
Dr. Dennis Gross
Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion, £57.60
Best hyaluronic acid for oily, acne-prone skin
This lightweight, oil-free moisturiser is infused with hyaluronic acid and Japanese marine algae to help hydrate and moisturise your skin without it looking shiny. It also contains aloe, which calms inflammation and soothes irritation on acne-prone skin. Smooth this moisturiser over clean, dry skin in the morning and evening.
LANEIGE
Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £37.00
Best hyaluronic acid for dewy skin
If you're after a luminous complexion that can be seen from miles away, this hyaluronic acid serum can help you reach your goal. The formula contains a proprietary hyaluronic acid that goes through a unique double fermentation process with Fucoidan, a moisturising agent derived from deep sea algae. The result is long lasting hydration that leaves your skin looking seriously fresh and radiant.
IT Cosmetics
Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £25.00
Best hyaluronic acid for fine lines
With 1.5% hyaluronic acid, this dermatologist-approved serum visibly plumps your skin and smoothes fine lines. It also contains a blend of peptides and vitamin B5, which leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. Apply a few drops onto the palm of your hands and then gently press the serum into your skin.
Ren Clean Skincare
EverHydrate Marine Moisture-Restore Serum, £40.00
Best hyaluronic acid for dehydrated, tired skin
This serum is the equivalent of a tall drink of water for thirsty skin. Wild rosella tackles the root cause of dehydration by flooding your skin with moisture and then drawing it deep into your skin where you most need it. Freshwater algae and hyaluronic acid work together to protect your skin from free radicals and to top up your skin’s hydration reserves. Use this jelly-like serum twice a day to cleansed, damp skin.
Odacité
Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid Renewing Serum, N/A
Best hyaluronic acid for hyperpigmentation
Brighten and even out your skin tone with this fast-absorbing soft gel serum. It features a potent duo of vitamin C and E to help your skin fight against the oxidative damage of free radicals and minimise the appearance of dark spots, alongside hyaluronic acid. We love the mood-boosting citrusy scent of this hydrating serum too.
Tatcha
Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, £23.00
Best hyaluronic acid for setting makeup
Set your makeup or give your skin a boost of hydration anytime, any place with this facial mist. Its formula features 20% botanical oils and humectants, including a complex of Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid, which leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed and dewy after a few spritzes. Spray the mist before you apply your makeup, to help your foundation go on smoothly.
By Terry
Hyaluronic Global Eye Serum, £55.00
Best hyaluronic acid for eyes
Reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness with this multitasking eye serum. It features eight types of hyaluronic acid in three different molecular weights to deliver immediate and intensive hydration to your eye area. Niacinamide minimises hyperpigmentation and phytosqualane strengthen your skin barrier against environmental stressors too.
Susanne Kaufmann
Hyaluron Body Gel, £25.00
Best hyaluronic acid for body
Susanne Kaufmann’s lightweight body gel features a blend of hyaluronic acid in three molecular sizes to visibly firm and hydrate your skin. It’s a holiday essential for us as aloe vera and balloon vine extracts moisturise while cooling menthol helps to ease heat induced irritation and tightness. We recommend applying this gel after shaving or sunbathing to instantly soothe skin.
Read More
• The Best Retinol Serums and Creams for Every Budget• The Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin to Instantly Hydrate • The Best Face Mists for Hydrated, Glowing Skin
• Everything You Need To Know About Skin Cycling • The Best Hydrating Face Masks
