The 14 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums of 2024, According to Experts

The 14 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums of 2023, According to Experts

Hyaluronic acid is one of those names that comes up a lot in the skincare industry. But what exactly is it? And does it actually work? British Vogue takes an in-depth look at this must-have ingredient.

What does hyaluronic acid do for your skin?

“Hyaluronic acid is one of the main components of our natural extracellular matrix, which is the framework of our skin,” says Daniel Isaacs, head of research at Medik8. “Hyaluronic acid has the unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its weight in water, drawing moisture from the surrounding air and the lower layers of the skin into the upper layers of the epidermis for ultra-hydrating effects.” Give your skin a smooth, plump effect.

While hyaluronic acid is naturally produced, levels of it decrease as we age, which means our skin’s ability to retain water decreases, leading to dehydration, dull skin, and eventually fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that there are plenty of products that can counteract all of these issues.

That’s where hyaluronic acid skincare comes into play. When applied topically to the skin, hyaluronic acid reduces transepidermal water loss and strengthens the epidermal barrier function, keeping your skin hydrated and protected all day long.

Can hyaluronic acid be used daily?

Hyaluronic acid is a staple in any skin care routine and is completely safe to use every day. In fact, most experts recommend using it twice a day as part of your morning and night routine. “She should

“apply it immediately after washing your face and before applying a lipid moisturizer,” advises Dr. Barbara Sturnham.

How much hyaluronic acid should I use?

When using hyaluronic acid, it’s best to use a high concentration but smaller dose, so if you can buy it over the counter, the dose is between one and two percent. “As a raw material, hyaluronic acid is thick and viscous,” says Dr. AJ Sturnham, a GP specializing in dermatology and founder of Decree, a popular skin care brand that offers a range of different hyaluronic acid products. “Your skin will be more effective with smaller, more concentrated doses in both day and night care.” ” “The ideal formula should have the highest, optimal and absorbable dose or concentration so that it can cross the skin barrier and reach the dermis,” she says. That’s why it’s so important to always read product labels. When hyaluronic acid isn’t at the highest dose, it can be thin, watery, and therefore less effective. What not to use with hyaluronic acid? Perhaps the best thing about hyaluronic acid is that it has the unique ability to enhance the effects of any product you apply on top of it. This means that not only is it safe to use with all other products and ingredients (like vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, moisturizer), but it actually improves their effectiveness, making it one of the best additions to your skincare routine.

Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum

Medik8’s professional offerings are characterized by effective formulas and a pleasant application experience. This is a fast-absorbing, lightweight serum with added hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. The two work together to improve hydration and give skin a soft, fine-line finish.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Inkey List’s budget option doesn’t skimp on the benefits. Made with 2% Made with hyaluronic acid (the ideal concentration for absorption), we love that this product absorbs into the skin without leaving any residue. It works well with both skincare and makeup, keeping the skin hydrated without feeling sticky.

Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This serum was advertised with much fanfare. After testing it out, we knew why. It’s an incredibly lightweight liquid (considering it’s made with five different types and weights of hyaluronic acid) that softens the skin within seconds of application. The plumping effect is further enhanced by a blend of silk protein and vitamin C-rich plum extract, with the former restoring a healthy complexion and filling in fine lines.

LANEIGE Aquabank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Revitalizing Toner

Are you looking for an easy way to introduce hyaluronic acid? Try this toner from Korean beauty brand LANEIGE. It contains fermented ingredients, gentle exfoliants, and the brand’s patented blue hyaluronic acid to help prep the complexion to better absorb whatever products you apply afterwards. Unlike most toners, it leaves the skin feeling super comfortable and soothed, while the ultra-fine hyaluronic acid moisturizes the deepest layers of the skin.

La Roche-Posay HyaluB5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This serum is infused with niacinamide, vitamin B5, and thermal water to promote barrier repair. It’s perfect for restoring volume to dehydrated skin. Its large-molecule hyaluronic acid smooths surface wrinkles, while the smaller molecules penetrate deeper to plump the skin from within.

Tom Ford Hyaluronic Acid Revitalizing Spray

We love great skin care when it’s simple and easy. Tom Ford’s spray adds all the hard work to your existing routine in a sophisticated, hands-free spray. Plus, it’s paired with caffeine and vitamin E for a great pick-me-up that you can use to hydrate your skin at any time of day.

Alpha H Hyaluronic Acid 8 Ultra Serum with PrimalHyal UltraFiller

Touted as a non-invasive alternative to injectable dermal fillers, this serum is particularly appealing for its lightning-volumizing formula. Up to 8 molecular weight hyaluronic acid ensures moisture plumps tissue at every level, while added antioxidant firming berry extract preserves the skin’s collagen and elastin reserves. It’s thick and viscous, instantly locks moisture into the skin, and leaves no residue, especially when massaged in.

Neal’s Yard Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Booster

Formulated with organic aloe leaf juice and hibiscus extract, this serum harnesses the hydrating power of plants. It’s a hyaluronic acid with a certain something, with a rich, thick texture that absorbs into the skin incredibly quickly.

We recommend applying it to a drenched face and then relaxing while it helps dry skin soak up every last drop of moisture.

Hada Labo Tokyo Super Hydrating Lotion

If you prefer a lightweight formula, this lotion from acclaimed Japanese brand Hada Labo is the one for you. Its thin, watery texture disappears into the skin in seconds, but rest assured, it works hard to keep up

Three different types of hyaluronic acid restore moisture. For best results, follow with a moisturizer as it draws moisture from your skincare routine to leave your skin deeply hydrated.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

L’Oréal’s fast-absorbing serum works like a filler in a bottle to plump up a face that feels a little saggy. Thanks to hyaluronic acid’s large and small molecules, it works both on the surface and from within to smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume at an optimal concentration of 1.5%.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm developed this serum for those with darker skin tones. It contains multi-benefit hyaluronic acid, enriched with skin-balancing Purslane and Lumicol to combat dryness, wrinkles, irritation, and hyperpigmentation

per full pipette. Key ingredient Lumicol breaks down dark spots over time, making this product a good investment for hydrated, radiant, and visibly refreshed skin.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Moisture Support Formula

After democratizing the industry with simple, super-affordable, single-ingredient skincare, we couldn’t talk about the best hyaluronic acid without mentioning The Ordinary. The brand offers a viscous serum that even the driest skin types will love—just make sure to apply it to damp skin to get the most out of the hydrating, magnetizing formula.

111Skin Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster

The most advanced hyaluronic acid formula boosts hydration without leaving an unpleasant residue or stickiness, and you can see a beautiful example here. Light enough to drop into your other skincare routine, this powerful serum uses low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin. Niacinamide and urea are added to moisturize, brighten, and protect the skin from the inside out.

CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Rich in ceramides and emollients, this serum has a consistency you might not expect. More like a moisturizer than a light liquid, it combines important hyaluronic acid with nourishing ingredients. A brilliant hybrid product with all the essential ingredients to repair the skin at every level. It attracts water, then locks it in by strengthening the moisture barrier.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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