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Best HA serums – how hyaluronic acid helps your skin and what are the best hyaluronic acid serums on the market right now…
Everyone who’s at least a little bit into skincare and the ins and outs of how beauty products do their thing must have heard about hyaluronic acid. This sugary molecule is one of the best natural humectants – i.e. – substances that attack moisture.
In fact, HA can even hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water!
In this article, we are going to talk about 12 best hyaluronic acid serums on the market right now, definitely worth checking out if you are in search of a good quality HA serum. But first let’s see what the main reasons to add an HA serum to your daily routine are and how to recognize a good quality hyaluronic acid serum.
The Benefits of HA Serums
As we already mentioned, hyaluronic acid is a humectant. And one of the main roles of humectants in skin care is that they are in charge of keeping the skin well hydrated.
By supplying your skin with water molecules, hyaluronic acid supports your skin’s optimal functioning and keeps the skin plump, supple, smooth and youthful. To put it shortly, the best hyaluronic acid serums can:
- Brighten and quench dehydrated skin;
- Replenish and soften dry skin;
- Hydrate oily skin without making it greasy;
- Minimize the appearance of aging signs;
- Delay the formation of new fine lines;
- Give the skin a plump, firm look;
- Enhance a bright, dewy, youthful complexion.
You can go check out here more about HA – what it is, how it does it and what you can expect in terms of results.
What the Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums Contain?
First of all, hyaluronic acid is quite a large molecule. Because of that, it cannot easily sink deep into the skin. It can only stay on the surface, impregnating the skin’s protective barrier and making the surface of the skin looking smooth and plump.
Which is not a small benefit. However, even deeper layers of your skin need hydration. Luckily, there are several pure forms of HA, which all come with same benefits for the skin but in different molecular weights.
Sodium hyaluronate, for example, is a salt of hyaluronic acid that has a much smaller molecular weight. Because of this, it can penetrate deep into the skin and supply even deeper layers with water molecules.
That is why when choosing a hyaluronic acid serum, pay attention that it contains two or more pure forms of HA in different molecule sizes.
Another thing to pay attention to is whether the serum has a water or oil base. Generally speaking, water-based hyaluronic acid serums will work better for people with oily skin, while dry skin would prefer oil-based serums.
In the end, your daily HA serum is a great opportunity to provide your skin with other skin-loving ingredients. Antioxidants, for example, are always a welcome addition. And hyaluronic acid works great in combination with vitamin C or green tea extract.
For a super brightening effect, you can look for HA serums that contain niacinamide and vitamin C. And if your skin is sensitive, look for skin soothing ingredients, such a panthenol, colloidal oatmeal or aloe vera.
12 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
*All prices mentioned are from March 2022.
1. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
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Price: $29.99/1 fl. Oz.
A super hydrating HA serum, great for all skin types but especially for aging or dehydrated skin. It supplies the skin with moisture, keeps it plump and supple and improves its elasticity.
Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is also a great hydrator for a skin prone to sensitivities. This is thanks to two incredibly soothing ingredients it contains – vitamin B5 (or panthenol) and madecassoside.
2. Cosmedica Skincare Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Price: $11.00/1 fl. Oz.
Affordable price tag and simple ingredient list are the two main features that make this serum one of the best hyaluronic acid serums on the market. That, and 35k+ positive reviews on Amazon.
Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is great for dry, aging, sensitive and dehydrated skin. It replenishes dry patches, keeps the skin well hydrated, fades discolorations and brightens the complexion.
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum
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Price: $17.24/1 fl. Oz.
Like most HA serums, Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum also attracts moisture from the surrounding air and into the skin. This serum contains another powerful humectant – glycerin, which paired with hyaluronic acid provides ultimate hydration.
If your skin easily gets dull and dehydrated, this might be its perfect fix. It keeps the skin smooth and elastic and enhances its youthful, healthy appearance.
4. The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Price: $8.99/1 fl. Oz.
Another HA serum with an impressive price tag and tons of benefits for your skin. It quickly sinks into the skin hydrating even the deeper layers and keeping the skin firm and smooth.
Apply it before your moisturizer to diminish dryness and reduce the appearance of fine lines. This serum is suitable for all skin types and safe to use morning and evening.
5. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Moisturizer
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Price: $19.99/1 fl. Oz.
One of the best hyaluronic acid serums on the market right now – lightweight, fast absorbing and accepted by the National Eczema Association! A perfect addition to your skincare routine if your skin shows signs of dehydration.
The simple and efficient fragrance-free formula reinforces the skin’s barrier to better retain moisture and protect the skin against environmental stressors. The skin instantly feels smoother and healthier.
6. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
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Price: $39.00/1.35 fl. Oz.
Glass Skin Refining Serum for the glassiest, smoothest, most radiant skin! It soothes redness and inflammation, clears and brightens the complexion and improves the skin’s firmness.
Other than hyaluronic acid, this serum contains several ingredients with rejuvenating, brightening and replenishing properties. These include peach extract, niacinamide, East Asian mountain yam extract, madecassoside and peptide complex.
7. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Price: $32.99/1 fl. Oz.
This is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, fragrance and paraben-free serum that hydrates and visibly replumps the skin after only one week. Perfect to reduce first fine lines and aging spots and to refresh and replenish dehydrated skin.
This serum combines high and low molecular size hyaluronic acid, for both deep hydration and plumping effect on the surface. Fullness is restored and the skin looks bouncy and youthful.
8. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Price: $42.00/1 fl. Oz.
Another serum that takes the whole hyaluronic acid game to the next level. With silky, watergel texture and 5 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, it intensely hydrates and plumps the skin, for bouncy, youthful complexion.
Other than HA, this serum contains 3 antioxidant-rich plum extracts, to diminish the effect of free radicals and replenish the skin. Other noteworthy ingredients: vegan collagen & silk protein, glycerin, panthenol, spirulina extract, etc.
9. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
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Price: $7.50/1 fl. Oz.
One of the most popular hyaluronic acid serums right now is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. That is because, on top of being one of the most affordable products in this category, it is effective and it quickly gives first results.
This formula combines three molecular weights of HA, to hydrate different layers of the skin. The serum also contains vitamin B5, or panthenol, which soothes the skin, enhances hydration and keeps the skin soft and smooth.
10. First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum With Hyaluronic Acid
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Price: $40.00/1.7 fl. Oz.
Other than HA, the best hyaluronic acid serums contain nourishing, soothing and rejuvenating ingredients that clear, smooth and brighten the complexion. This serum is no exception – it increases moisture, reduces inflammation and improves the skin’s overall look and feel.
Hyaluronic acid and collagen maintain the skin firm, smooth and supple. As for the skin calming ingredients, Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum contains colloidal oatmeal, panthenol, allantoin, aloe juice, etc.
11. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum
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Price: $65.00/1 fl. Oz.
With 75% hyaluronic acid complex, this clear liquid gel serum is not kidding when it comes to hydration. Like its name suggests, it drenches the skin with moisture, smooths fine lines and preserves the skin’s youthful look.
This serum also contains silk proteins, which provide a matte finish and leave the skin silky soft and smooth. Some other ingredients worth mentioning are sodium PCA, seaweed and honey extracts, sorbitol, glycerin, citric acid, etc.
12. Glossier Super Bounce Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Serum
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Price: $28.00/1 fl. Oz.
Another great hyaluronic acid serum for anyone looking to provide their skin with some soothing extra daily hydration. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, and it leaves the skin super soft, smooth and hydrated.
Super Bounce Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains 3 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, to thoroughly hydrate various layers of the skin. It also contains pro-vitamin B5, which soothes sensitivities and enhances long lasting hydration.
