If you’re dealing with consistently dry face skin, you need to add a great hyaluronic acid serum to your skincare arsenal.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in human skin and joints that helps the body retain moisture. When used as the primary ingredient in cosmetic products, it offers a slew of benefits, including plumping and hydrating skin, potentially speeding up wound healing and more. That’s especially useful for anyone dealing with chronically dry skin or trying to fight the signs of aging, which come about in part due to a lack of water in the skin.
It’s so effective as a visibly hydrating ingredient that it’s actually pretty commonplace in a wide variety of moisturizers and lotions. But if you’re finding the garden variety hyaluronic acid products aren’t cutting it for your skin, a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid serum could do the trick.
Compared with creams and lotions, which have a lot of water in their formulas, serums are more boiled down to the essential active ingredients for a more direct application and better absorption. If your skin is absorbing more of the crucial ingredients, they’re going to work much better to achieve the desired effects. For hyaluronic acid serums, that means excellent hydration to plump and rejuvenate your skin.
Serums do tend to come in small volumes because they’re concentrated, but you don’t need much to start seeing the results. Before you slather any serum on your face, make sure to read the directions for best results. Typically, you’ll want to gently and evenly apply the serum across your face and wait for it to absorb before applying any moisturizer. You can make it a part of your daily and/or nightly routine or simply use it as needed for a nice skin pick-me-up.
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Now that we’ve got the basics down on hyaluronic acid serums, check out a few of our favorites below. Any one of them will improve your skincare routine and leave your skin feeling healthier.
1. CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum
BEST OVERALL
The CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a classic choice if ever there was one, but it’s just an all-around great serum to moisturize, soften and soothe dry skin. Vitamin B5, three ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, which is a form of hyaluronic acid, and more deliver instant hydration to skin.
Fragrance-free, fast-acting, lightweight and available in drugstores everywhere, the CeraVe hyaluronic acid serum is a popular and well-reviewed mainstay for good reason.
2. Kiehl’s Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Serum
RUNNER-UP
The Kiehl’s Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Serum could easily be the top pick if it wasn’t on the pricier side. Formulated with small hyaluronic acid molecules, this serum penetrates skin deeply to rejuvenate and hydrate it from within, reducing signs of aging and leaving it smooth and radiant.
3. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
BEST VALUE
For a highly pure great-value hyaluronic acid serum, you cannot do better than The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum. The formula itself uses multiple sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules to plump skin up from the inside and outside. The 60 milliliter bottle also costs roughly half what you might spend on other serums despite offering twice as much product. For the amount you need to use, it’s enough serum to deliver healthier skin again and again and at a totally reasonable price.
4. Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
BUDGET PICK
Not wanting to spend a lot doesn’t mean having to get a bad serum. The Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum doesn’t cost much but still delivers the smooth supple skin you’re looking for. It’s also lightweight and features a pretty simple formula that’s perfect for daily use.
5. Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum
PREMIUM PICK
The Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum lives up to its name. A high concentration of hyaluronic acid promises to deliver intense hydration, leaving your skin looking smoother, firmer and better. It isn’t cheap, but if you’re aiming for above and beyond, this is a strong hyaluronic acid serum.
6. PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
HIGHLY RATED
In a rare combo, the PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is both pricey and yet very highly rated on Amazon, with well over 80% of people giving it a five-star rating. A combo of ceramides, niacinamide and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid reduce signs of aging, plump skin, protect it from moisture loss and generally promote lasting hydration.
7. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
ALWAYS RELIABLE
Neutrogena has always been on top of its skincare game, and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum is just another great product in a long line. The 17% Hydration Complex uses big and small hyaluronic acid to promote moisture at skin level and within for healthier, smoother, more hydrated skin. Suitable for any skin type, this serum comes in at a reasonable price and works great.
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