The Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums in 2021, According to Our Editors

In the game of getting hydrated and dewy skin, hyaluronic acid is a valued player. It’s on defense against dry patches, amps up hydration and is a great addition to most people’s line-up. While the skin has natural stores of hyaluronic acid, its levels decrease with age. To avoid missing out on moisture, add a hyaluronic acid serum to your skincare routine. Ahead, find our favorite hyaluronic acid serums (and our honest reviews of each) that will give your skin a boost of much-needed hydration.

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier  

Formulated with pure hyaluronic acid, proxylane and botanical extracts, this serum hydrates the surface layer of the skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and increases hyaluronic acid levels by 30%. When we first used this serum, the texture surprised us; it was thicker and had a heavier viscosity than expected. But after pressing it into our skin, the product felt weightless. We incorporated this into both our morning and nighttime routine for two months. Lo and behold, this serum definitely measures up to the buzz surrounding it. Our faces appeared plumper, healthier and looked more youthful than pre-use. 

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum 

Our skin and winter have a not-so-great relationship. The dry air and cold temperatures tend to wreak havoc on our complexions, leaving us with dry patches. Thankfully, this formula was able to give us an extra boost of hydration. Hyaluronic acid can carry 1,000 times its weight in water, so using a few drops morning and night is a great way to increase moisture. This serum amps up its effectiveness by including vitamin B5, an ingredient that helps repair the skin’s moisture barrier and promote long-lasting hydration. We definitely noticed a difference in our skin texture after incorporating this HA serum into our routine.

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum 

One of our main concerns when adding a new serum to our skincare routine is how it will wear throughout the day. Will it pill under makeup? Will it dry us out in the long-run? Is it a solution-driven product or just a short-lived fix? We’re happy to report that after giving this formula a go, we’re thrilled with the results. The texture is gel-like but extremely hydrating, so we felt comfortable using it as either a replacement for our moisturizer or as an additional step in our routine. With three ceramides and vitamin B5 in the formula, the serum helps to restore skin and promote a healthy moisture barrier. Plus, the product has MVE patented technology, so it continues to release moisture for 24 hours rather than providing only short-lived relief post-application. 

Vichy Minéral 89 Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Daily Face Moisturizer 

This formula is one of our favorites for combatting tight, itchy and dry skin. With Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water and hyaluronic acid, the lightweight moisturizer helps to protect our skin from aggressive environmental factors like pollution, harsh weather and stress. We used this serum as the first step in our routine post-cleanser, and while it can be used in place of a normal moisturizer, we layered it underneath given the weather. After a few weeks, our fine lines we’re visibly plumped and our skin felt hydrated, smooth and soft. 

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

You can pick up this L’Oréal Paris serum at the drugstore for a super reasonable price ($17.83 MSRP). It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and effective. Within just one week, our skin felt hydrated and our fine lines and wrinkles were less noticeable. Plus, it’s fragrance-, paraben- and dye-free, so it’s perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. The final verdict? If anti-aging is a concern, this is a must-have skincare serum. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster 

If you’re looking to shorten your lengthy skincare routine, this may be the product that can help. The serum targets a handful of concerns, given its impressive roster of ingredients. Hyaluronic acid and watermelon deliver moisture and boost radiance, copper and zinc PCA boost collagen, and lactic and glycolic acids refine texture and smooth skin. The serum looked great on paper, and upon trying it, the results didn’t disappoint either. After just a few uses, we saw a noticeable change in the plumpness, luminosity and suppleness of our skin. 

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

Read More: 

What iI Hyaluronic Acid? Everything You Need to Know About This Hydration Powerhouse

Our Favorite Hydrating Skin-Care Products That Contain Hyaluronic Acid

5 Foundations Infused With Hyaluronic Acid for a Flawless, Hydrated Complexion