Adding the best hyaluronic acid serums to your skincare routine can help you achieve smoother, plumper, and glowing skin. This powerful ingredient has multiple benefits. “It helps lock in moisture, leading to hydrated, youthful-looking skin,” explains Dr. Orit Markowitz, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Vogue’s Top Hyaluronic Acid Serums
– Best for Deep Hydration: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier ($110)
– Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($10)
– Best for Dry Skin: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum ($124)
– Best French Pharmacy: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 ($40)
– Best Cooling: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum ($99)
– Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum ($325)
### What You Need to Know
What is hyaluronic acid?
This moisture-loving ingredient is perfect for dry or dull skin, as it attracts and holds water—up to 1,000 times its weight, according to dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. While dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water, and hyaluronic acid helps replenish it. Even those with oily skin can benefit, as it hydrates without feeling heavy.
How to use it:
Since hyaluronic acid naturally decreases with age, Dr. Markowitz suggests using a serum a few times a week—not daily—to maintain effectiveness. For best results, apply to damp skin after cleansing or toning. “This helps it absorb better and gives skin a plump, dewy look,” says aesthetician Samantha Mims.
### Top Picks
Best for Intense Hydration: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
– Why we love it: With 1.3% hyaluronic acid, plus licorice root and purple rice, this serum deeply hydrates while improving skin texture and reducing fine lines.
– Best for: Dry and mature skin
Best French Pharmacy: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5
– Why we love it: A reliable staple with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and soothing madecassoside to replenish moisture.
– Best for: Sensitive skin
Best Cooling: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum
– Why we love it: A powerhouse serum that hydrates and refreshes, making it a favorite among skincare experts.
For radiant, hydrated skin year-round, these serums deliver proven results.Here’s a natural, fluent rewrite of the text while preserving the original meaning:
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Marino recommends this formula for all skin types, praising its lightweight texture along with its calming, cooling, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin B5 to support skin health and cell renewal, brightening mushroom extract, and centella asiatica—a powerful antioxidant that aids in healing and anti-aging.
Best for: Sensitive or redness-prone skin
### Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Price: $325 (Nordstrom, BlueMercury)
Why we love it: Beyond its steep price, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s serum is adored for its ultra-light texture and deep hydration. It combines long and short-chain hyaluronic acid with soothing purslane to instantly plump and brighten skin.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, purslane, radish root ferment
Best for: Mature or dry skin
### Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Price: $10 (Nordstrom, Amazon)
Why we love it: The Ordinary’s reformulated serum is now even lighter, with a subtle yellow tint from added ceramides. It uses mixed-weight hyaluronic acid for deep, lasting hydration, while vitamin B5 (panthenol) locks in moisture and strengthens the skin barrier.
Key ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, panthenol, red algae extract
Best for: Deep hydration at an affordable price
### Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
Price: $147 (Amazon)
Why we love it: Dr. Henry’s favorite, this serum uses multiple hyaluronic acid weights to hydrate skin at different depths. Fragrance-free and packed with peptides and vitamin E, it delivers up to 8 hours of moisture while smoothing fine lines.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin E
Best for: Mature skin
### Best for Dry Skin: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
Price: $128 (Nordstrom, Amazon)
Why we love it: More than just a basic hyaluronic acid serum, this formula includes sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. Ceramides and niacinamide reinforce the skin barrier for lasting nourishment.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
Best for: Very dry skin
### Best with Apricot Oil: Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%
Price: $17 (Amazon)
Why we love it: A budget-friendly pick, this serum blends multiple hyaluronic acid forms with apricot kernel oil to restore the skin’s lipid barrier.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, apricot oil, vitamin C
Best for: Dry or compromised skin
### Best Clean Beauty: Osea Hyaluronic Acid Sea Serum
Price: $88 (BlueMercury, Nordstrom)
Why we love it: Dermatologist Dr. Erum Ilyas calls Osea an underrated gem, especially for dry, mature skin. This clean, marine-based serum is one of her personal staples.
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This version keeps all the original details while making the language smoother and more conversational. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Dr. Ilyas previously told Vogue: “No other product line gives my skin the same glow and hydration boost as Osea.” This nourishing formula combines mineral-rich sea ingredients like dual-weight hyaluronic acid, rare Japanese miru seaweed, snow mushrooms, and volcanic marine ferment to deeply hydrate skin.
Key Ingredients:
– Japanese miru seaweed (balances moisture)
– Hyaluronic acid
– Volcanic marine ferment (plumps skin, smooths fine lines)
– Snow mushroom (locks in hydration)
Best For: All skin types, clean beauty lovers, mature skin
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### Best French Pharmacy: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Price: $30 (Amazon)
Why We Love It:
Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist, says, “A good hyaluronic acid serum hydrates without overwhelming skin. This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula does exactly that, plus it contains mineral-rich volcanic water to strengthen and replenish moisture.”
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, volcanic water
Best For: Sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin
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### Best for a Bouncy Complexion: Jan Marini Hyla3D Face Serum
Price: $122 (Bluemercury, Amazon)
Why We Love It:
Recommended for normal to dry or mature skin, this serum uses four types of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights for deep hydration. Combined with calcium ketogluconate (a hyaluronic acid booster), it restores volume for a firmer, more youthful look.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, CoQ10, peptides
Best For: Dry skin, mature skin
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### Best K-Beauty: Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro CERA-HA Face Serum
Price: $34 (YesStyle, Amazon)
Why We Love It:
A long-time favorite in South Korea, this dermatologist-tested serum is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic—ideal for sensitive skin. Its ceramide-hyaluronic acid blend provides instant hydration while reinforcing the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid-ceramide blend, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin
Best For: Acne-prone and sensitive skin types needing gentle, non-irritating hydration.
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### Best Gel: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum
Price: $68 (Dermstore, Nordstrom), $41 (Amazon)
Why We Love It:
Dr. Camp notes, “This gel serum contains 75% hyaluronic acid for intense hydration. It dries matte, layers well under moisturizer, and leaves skin silky smooth.”
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, silk proteins, sodium PCA
Best For: Dehydrated skin, oily skin
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### What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Naturally found in the body, hyaluronic acid lubricates joints and plumps skin. Dr. Geeta Yadav explains, “It’s a humectant—it attracts and holds moisture, adding volume for a fuller look.”
### What to Look for in a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Molecular size matters. Smaller molecules penetrate deeper, while larger ones hydrate the surface. Look for serums with multiple weights for layered hydration.Dr. Yadav explains that smaller hyaluronic acid molecules penetrate deeper into the skin for long-term hydration, while larger molecules stay near the surface, providing immediate (though temporary) plumping. For optimal hydration, she recommends choosing a serum with multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. She also suggests looking for formulas that include other humectants like glycerin and aloe, which are especially beneficial for dehydrated skin—helping to restore moisture and prevent dullness or sagging.
### What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid attracts water to the skin, hydrating and plumping it for a smoother appearance, says Dr. Yadav. This makes it useful not only for dryness but also for softening fine lines and wrinkles, as dehydrated skin can make them more noticeable.
### Who should use a hyaluronic acid serum?
Everyone can benefit from hyaluronic acid. Dr. Yadav notes that even if your skin isn’t dry, it can still be dehydrated. Additionally, the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid production decreases with age, so using it helps replenish moisture. She compares it to giving your skin a glass of water—something everyone can use. Those with sensitive skin need not worry, as hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and is well-tolerated.
### Should you pair hyaluronic acid with other skincare ingredients?
Hyaluronic acid works well with other active ingredients. For best results, Dr. Yadav recommends applying it to freshly exfoliated skin, as dead skin cells can block absorption. She suggests using a serum that includes gentle exfoliants like PHA.
Since hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, maintaining a healthy skin barrier helps lock in hydration. Ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids can enhance its effects by reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier.
### Meet The Experts
– Brendan Camp, MD – Double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS in New York, NY.
– Sean Garrette – Aesthetician and Dior skincare expert in New York, NY.
– Michelle Henry, MD – Board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
– Erum Ilyas, MD – Board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
– Orit Markowitz, MD – Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Optiskin Medical in New York, NY.
– Candace Marino – Aesthetician at The LA Facialist in Los Angeles, CA.
– Samantha Mims – Aesthetician at Dermasaa and Brooklyn Face & Eye in Brooklyn, NY.
– Geeta Yadav, MD – Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto, Canada.