Dr. Claire Wolinsky, MD, is a board-certified New York-based dermatologist. She specializes in facial rejuvenation. The serum contains fragrance, and although we found the scent calming and not at all overpowering, it could be irritating to very sensitive skin. I occasionally include hyaluronic acid into my general skincare routine, as it is mostly included in a serum or moisturiser that I use, but I was intrigued to see if this set would bring better results. Pavicic T, Gauglitz GG, Lersch P, et al. Efficacy of Cream-Based Novel Formulations of Hyaluronic Acid of Different Molecular Weights in Anti-Wrinkle Treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. September 2011. Rsearch suggests that both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C help moisturize and smooth skin, even out redness and discoloration, repair skin, and reduce signs of aging.

Hyaluronic acid has become something of a beauty buzzword and not without good reason. It may sound like something you'd use with a Bunsen Burner in a GCSE science class, but it's actually the one ingredient you need to add to your skincare routine, ASAP.Walker K, Basehore BM, Goyal A, et al. Hyaluronic acid. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Hung MJ, Tsai CP, Lin YH, et al. Hyaluronic acid improves pain symptoms more than bladder storage symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;58(3),417–422. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2018.11.033 Hydrated skin, then, is what you want. “Skin hydration is important because hydrated skin looks more plump, healthier, and more vibrant,” Marchbein says. It looks younger, too, if that’s one of your goals. According to research , skin aging is associated with loss of skin moisture, and hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient when it comes to combating or reversing these signs. “Because of its water-pulling qualities, hyaluronic acid can refine and age-rewind in those dry, sunken, or ‘crepe’ areas,” Dr. Gasquet says. One study found that over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams containing hyaluronic acid decreased the depth of wrinkles around the lips and eyes by 10 to 20 percent over a three-month period. Skin tightness also improved by 13 to 30 percent.

Because of its lightweight, gel-like consistency, we’d recommend it to someone with oily or acne-prone skin. When it comes to severely dry skin, we’d skip it. My skin didn't feel massively changed in the end, but it did feel smoother (Image: Rachel Williams)Skin Texture: We took detailed notes about what our skin texture was like before we used each serum, and recorded how the products interacted with our skin. Did the serum cause any irritation? Did it have a plumping effect or smooth lines and wrinkles? We also recorded how our skin texture changed after the eight-week testing period. Overall Look: We took note of how each product worked over the course of the testing period, and whether or not our complexion looked better with regular use. We also noted any issues we had with product fragrance and how the serums interacted with sensitive skin. It does have its positives, particularly that my skin did feel extra smooth and hydrated after popping one ampoule on and my foundation glided on much easier after using it. Dermatologists generally love CeraVe. Both Dr. Salyards and Dr. Brauer give CeraVe hyaluronic acid serum glowing recommendations for its effective but thoughtful formula. “You can’t go wrong with CeraVe products,” says Dr. Salyards, adding that they’re affordable, accessible, and suitable for those with sensitive skin and other skin issues that can make it harder to find the right skin care routine. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics. Dry skin can be dangerous. “Poorly hydrated skin is unable to maintain an appropriately intact skin barrier, leaving the skin more vulnerable to damage from external and environmental sources,” Marchbein says. When the skin barrier is not intact, it can let bacteria in, which can lead to infection, according to a study . Compromised skin barriers can play a role in many skin conditions, including dry skin, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne, per research .

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Lipid-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer ( Ulta.com) contains sodium hyaluronate and no fragrance, meaning it’s gentle on sensitive skin. Nevertheless, we really did enjoy using this serum. We liked the liquid USP – it gave it a bit of a sense of difference after testing a bunch of quite gloopy gels. We will say though, to oily skin types, it could be a little off-putting – we wouldn't say it's oily, but if you're oil-averse, you may not like the slight film it leaves on your skin.

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After one month, they found that treatment with 130 kDa HA was the most effective, increasing skin elasticity by 20 percent. Both the 50 and 130 kDa groups had significant improvement in wrinkle-depth and skin roughness after 60 days. All the other molecular weights still improved elasticity and skin hydration, just less so. You can read more about this molecular weight analysis from the original breakdown here. Diameter of hyaluronic acid There’s also ingestible hyaluronic acid, which is a capsule filled with the active ingredient. The idea is that by taking a supplement, levels of the hyaluronic acid will be steady, and the effects will last, according to one study. And it appears to work: The researchers found that participants who took 120 milligrams (mg) of hyaluronic acid per day for 12 weeks improved their skin wrinkles and their overall skin condition. However, more research needs to be conducted on oral hyaluronic acid. Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. She gathered insights and testimonials from our experienced team of editors and in-house lab testers to curate this list of hyaluronic acid serums that actually do what they say they will.

Favuzza E, Cennamo M, Vicchio L, et al. Protecting the ocular surface in cataract surgery: The efficacy of the perioperative use of a hydroxypropyl guar and hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2020;14,1769–1775. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S259704

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As a Senior Beauty Editor with chronically thirsty skin, I was the ideal person to research this list of the best hyaluronic acid serums and lead the charge with testing (which the rest of the team were kind enough to help with). Even though HA is present in lots of products, from day creams, best body moisturisers and even haircare, I still think it's quite the underdog. In my opinion, there's no point using high-potency retinoids or thinking about getting Botox until you have a committed relationship with HA. Its main job is hydration, sure – but this leads to plumper, bouncier skin and (admittedly temporarily) filled wrinkles.I'm firmly on the HA side of the hyaluronic acid vs retinol debate. Casale M, Moffa A, Vella P, et al. Hyaluronic acid: Perspectives in dentistry. A systematic review. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2016;29(4):572-582. doi:10.1177/0394632016652906 Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto, Canada The good news is that topical products that feature hyaluronic acid, whether as part of the ingredients list in a moisturizer or as the star of a serum, can help rebuild those depleted stores, says Bonnie Gasquet, MD, an internal medicine physician at Studio Health medical center in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Hyaluronic acid is generally safe for all skin types and doesn’t typically lead to any adverse reactions when applied topically, Marchbein says. “Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in our skin, and as a result, one should not expect any problems,” Dr. Rothaus says. “When patients complain of rashes or other problems related to hyaluronic acid–containing products, it is often a result of a problem with another ingredient, such as one of the preservatives.” Preservatives extend the life of a product, but some, including parabens, formaldehyde-releases, and isothiazolinones, can lead to irritation, according to DermNet.