The 19 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier at Dermstore

A blend of hyaluronic acid, proxylane, and 2% licorice root extract create an ultra-hydrating boost to skin.

Best with Vitamin C:

Kiehl's Line-Reducing Concentrate at Sephora

Brighten you complexion with the vitamin C provided in this line-educing serum.

Best Budget:

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid at Amazon

To deliver even more moisture into the skin, this hyaluronic acid serum also contains vitamin B5.

Best Drugstore:

Vichy Laboratoires MINÉRAL 89 at Amazon

Hyaluronic acid and mineral water combine to knock out dryness and plump up skin.

Best Drugstore, Runner-Up:

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum at Amazon

See the results from this fast-acting serum after just one day and enjoy hydrated, plump skin.

Best Calming:

ROSE Ingleton MD Skin Calming Booster at Sephora

Soft, supple skin is in your future, with extended use of this hydrating serum.

Best for Dry Skin:

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster at Sephora

Watermelon extract and centella asiatica guarantee hydrated skin that looks firmer and smoothes fine lines.

Best Hydrating:

Glossier Super Bounce at Glossier.com

Glossier is hard to beat with its hydrating powerhouse of B5 and hyaluronic acid.

Best Long-Lasting:

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator at Amazon

This pick remains a Byrdie fave for its ability to hydrate dry skin for up to 8 hours.

Best Splurge:

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum at Sephora

This luxurious option comes with a high sticker price but its ability to instantly plump and fight wrinkles, makes it worth it.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look for

If you aren't using a product with hyaluronic acid already, now's the time to start: The powerful humectant can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, meaning it blasts even the most dehydrated complexions with moisture. As a refresher, hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by our own bodies, but its levels start to decline with age, which explains why skin gets drier over time.

By adding back moisture into our skin, hyaluronic acid boosts firmness and prevents the formation of future fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid delivers short-term perks, too, including a glowing, dewy complexion.

Look for products that contain other skin-loving antioxidants to round out your moisturizing routine, like vitamin B5 and soothing green tea extract. You can also find serums that prime your skin and wear well under makeup. And if your skin is on the oily side, look for non-greasy formulas.

Ahead, we rounded up the absolute best hyaluronic acid serums, all of which are prepared to brighten, soften, and plump the skin with moisture.

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum

View On Dermstore View On Skinceuticals.com

What We Like

Improves skin elasticity
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Promotes a radiant complexion

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Dermatologists love this serum for its skin-loving ingredients that deliver major results. Turn back the clock with this powerful blend of pure hyaluronic acid, proxylane, and purple rice that brings back some of the skin’s natural elasticity and improves texture. By plumping up the skin with its hydrating magic, also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also nice: The formula also contains 2% licorice root extract to brighten and lighten your complexion.

What Our Editors Say

"Hyaluronic acid is one of those ingredients that not only works to improve skin over time, but the right formula can also deliver immediate results. The SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Serum does just that. Every night when I apply it after my retinoid, my skin immediately looks dewier, feels softer, and the fine lines around my eyes—which look deeper and wider when my skin is dry—are significantly reduced on contact." — Holly Rhue, Editor

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

View On Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Ulta

What We Like

Promotes a radiant complexion
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Can be worn on its own

What We Don't Like

May sting upon application

Skip the volumizing fillers and forgo injectables for this serum instead. Hyaluronic acid brings on the plumping and smoothing effect, plus this serum contains 12.5% vitamin C to help brighten the complexion, too, which also explains its deliciously fresh citrus scent. Studies showed that this serum decreases the appearances of marionette lines, forehead lines, and even deep-set wrinkles after using it regularly for four weeks.

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What We Like

Affordable
Combines different weights of hyaluronic acid
Alcohol-free

What We Don't Like

May leave a sticky residue behind

This Hyaluronic Acid Serum Kept My Skin Soft and Supple—And It's Only $7

Just because this serum is low in price doesn’t mean it’s low in quality. Its smooth texture and plumping powers belie its affordable price tag and could easily trick someone into thinking they are using a much more expensive product. To deliver even more moisture into the skin, this hyaluronic acid serum also contains vitamin B5, which helps the skin further retain moisture while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Another bonus: The formula is vegan.

What Our Editors & Testers Say

"It soaks effortlessly into the skin and doesn’t leave behind any stickiness on the surface of my skin." — Olivia Hancock, Product Tester

"This is the first serum I recommend to anyone looking to supplement their moisturizer. I've been using this potent hyaluronic acid formula for years. It does its job well, and the price can't be beaten." — Kathryn Vandervalk, Editorial & Strategy Director

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What We Like

Fragrance- and oil-free
Hydrates for 24 hours
Protects against environmental stressors

What We Don't Like

May leave a sticky residue behind

This hyaluronic acid serum from Vichy is a Byrdie HQ favorite. It’s formulated with, of course, hydrating hyaluronic acid in addition to mineral-rich volcanic water, sourced straight from French volcanoes. Providing moisture for up to an impressive 24 hours, it keeps the skin soft and supple while protecting it against environmental stressors. Dull, tired skin, no more! Also nice: The formula is free of oil and fragrance, so those who are oily, acne-prone, or sensitive can also indulge in its skin-quenching goodness.

What Our Editors Say

"I’ve tried more hyaluronic acid serums than I can count on two hands, but this drugstore go-to is by far my favorite option at its price point. Because even without the hefty price tag, it packs a serious punch thanks to hyaluronic acid (duh) and a whopping 89% of Vichy’s Mineralizing Water, which is rich in 15 rare minerals sourced from French volcanoes. The formula glides onto the skin easily and absorbs so quickly you’ll likely forget you’re wearing anything at all. But once you look in the mirror and see plumped-up skin with a healthy glow, you’ll be easily reminded." — Jessica Mahgerefteh, Commerce Editorial Director

"This hyaluronic acid is thick in a way that makes my skin feel glossy and hydrated, but lightweight enough that you can easily layer it with other products. It feels more like a hydrating serum than a pure hyaluronic acid, yet it's definitely one of my faves." — Kathryn Vandervalk, Editorial & Strategy Director

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What We Like

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Fast-absorbing
Non-greasy
Can use as a makeup primer

What We Don't Like

Results aren't dramatic

It only takes one day to see the results from this fast-acting serum—you can expect more supple skin, and in a week plumper skin, thanks to the formula’s 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid doing its job. It’s designed to hydrate while plumping out fine lines and wrinkles while also providing instant relief to dry skin. Plus, the super-concentrated formula is a gel that absorbs fast, leaving nothing behind (read: no oily residue) except for bouncier skin.

View On Sephora View On Revolve.com View On Rosemdskin.com

What We Like

Fragrance-free
Calms redness and irritation
Includes niacinamide

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This hydrating serum is a soothing solution to dry, sensitive skin. The calming formula combines the moisturizing benefits of hyaluronic acid with the added benefits of skin-loving seaweed extract, white and green tea extracts, and allantoin to get the most out of your complexion. The formula also boasts Dr. Ingleton's signature Jamaican SuperFruit Blend, which includes sugarcane, lemon, orange, bilberry, and sugar maple extracts to deliver even more nutrients to the skin. The results? Skin that is hydrated, soft, and supple, no redness or irritation in sight.

Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster

View On Sephora

What We Like

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Can be mixed with other products
Non-greasy

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Even the most parched skin will get softer and smoother thanks to this mega moisturizing serum that features time-release technology to hydrate and firm. It contains watermelon extract for extra moisturizing power, as well as centella asiatica to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We love that this serum is multifunctional and can be used solo, applied directly to dry patches, or mixed into your favorite skincare products to up their hydration benefits.

View On Glossier.com

What We Like

Combines different weights of hyaluronic acid
Non-greasy
Can use as a makeup primer

What We Don't Like

Results aren't dramatic

Formulated with three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, this Glossier bestseller packs a major hydration punch, both immediately and over time. It also contains vitamin B5, which leaves the skin softer, smoother, and more supple. Another major plus? It doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky or tight, which means it's more comfortable and acts as a great base under your makeup.

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Hydrates for 8 hours
Shields skin from free radicals
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

What We Don't Like

Expensive

According to Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould, this formula doesn’t just provide temporary surface moisture—it continuously hydrates the skin for eight hours, just as the brand promises. How? The formula contains five different types of hydrators to replenish your skin's moisture levels, including hyaluronic acid to provide immediate and lasting hydration, vitamin E to shield the skin from free radicals, and a peptide complex to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

View On Sephora View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Provides short- and long-term hydration
Calms redness and irritation

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Is This $300 Hyaluronic Serum Worth the Price? We Tested It to Find Out

We admit this serum can cause major sticker shock, but it’s so beloved for its efficacy that its legion of fans swear it’s worth every penny. What makes this serum a standout is it has both long- and short-chain hyaluronic molecules to penetrate every layer of the skin, meaning it delivers short-term and long-term improvement to your skin. The highly-concentrated formula instantly plumps skin and delivers a glow, while fighting the formation of fine lines and wrinkles in the future.

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What We Like

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Fragrance- and oil-free
Improves texture

What We Don't Like

Expensive

When your skin is at its absolute driest, reach for Peter Thomas Roth’s cult-favorite (and dermatologist-approved) serum. First off, it features a whopping 75% hyaluronic acid quickly restores parched skin. It also contains sodium PCA and a mineral complex of bio-fermented zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and silicon also help to up the formula’s moisturizing benefits. Plus, it contains silk proteins that leave the skin with a soft, smooth finish.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

View On Sephora

What We Like

Fast-absorbing
Non-greasy
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

What We Don't Like

Not hydrating enough on its own

Many hyaluronic acid serums can leave skin looking shiny, which is a no-no for oily skin. But this serum from First Aid Beauty has a light, watery consistency, so it absorbs super fast and doesn’t leave any tackiness or residue behind. Skin instantly looks more supple and radiant, thanks to the formula that instantly seals in moisture. It also contains anti-aging peptides to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, colloidal oatmeal to soothe, and aloe leaf juice to calm irritated skin.

View On Klur.co

What We Like

Supports skin's barrier
Non-greasy
Provides long-term hydration

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This ultra-hydrating fluid is full of all of the good stuff (we're talking vitamins C, B5, E, and then some). These nutrients work together to support barrier strength, prevent dehydration, and plump your skin for a healthy look. It also assimilates to the skin on contact, locking in moisture without leaving skin sticky or greasy, which is a big win for those with oily skin.

You might find sodium hyaluronate listed in the ingredients, but don't fret. This good-for-you ingredient is often used interchangeably for hyaluronic acid.

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What We Like

Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Boosts collagen production
Can use as a makeup primer

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Pestle & Mortar couples hyaluronic acid with antioxidant-rich vitamin E for this skin-smoothing and radiance-boosting serum. It targets fine lines, dullness, and dehydration to leave the skin plump and glowy while, under the skin’s surface, it helps to boost collagen production and aid in tissue repair. Also nice: This formula moonlights as a velvety makeup primer that packs in the moisture benefits.

View On Amazon View On Dermstore

What We Like

Includes niacinamide
Supports skin's barrier
Includes hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Not only does PCA’s serum blast skin with moisture with both hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid (which plumps lines below the skin’s surface), but it works to boost your skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid thanks to the formula’s HA-Pro Complex. It also contains ceramides that repair the skin’s moisture barrier and support better hydration retention, while niacinamide also works to strengthen the skin barrier and calm the complexion. The result is one powerhouse of an anti-aging formula.

View On Amazon View On Dermstore

What We Like

Includes ceramides
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Can be mixed with other products

What We Don't Like

Results aren't dramatic

A favorite amongst skincare obsessives, Paula’s Choice uses a combination of hyaluronic acid and skin-protecting ceramides to hydrate, smooth, and plump skin (even fine lines and wrinkles) while supporting the skin barrier, which helps it to better retain moisture. Even better? The formula also contains pro-vitamin B5 to provide a smoother, more supple appearance. You can use the product on its own as a serum, or drop it into your go-to moisturizer to up its hydrating power.

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What We Like

Evens skin tone
Improves texture
Fragrance-free

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it has a weird smell

Looking for a product that not only works, but also doesn’t use any animal-derived ingredients? Look no further than this serum from Mad Hippie. Hyaluronic acid isn’t the only component of the formula—it also boasts a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and konjac root powder to brighten, refine, and plump skin in a single swoop.

View On Nordstrom View On Ulta View On The Detox Market

What We Like

Fast-absorbing
Combines different weights of hyaluronic acid
Fragrance-free

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This quick-absorbing serum will hydrate, smooth, and lift the complexion thanks to a blend of three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. The formula is also fortified with three different types of organic seaweed, which provide further hydration benefits with a nutrient-rich twist.

In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, the formula is also entirely clean. While it's, of course, free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and fragrance, the brand also only works with suppliers who meet their rigorous purity standards, focusing on working with family or female-run collectives as much as possible. That seaweed we mentioned? It’s sustainably hand-foraged, so you can feel good about slathering this one on.

View On Marlarene.com

What We Like

Shields skin from free radicals
Calms redness and irritation
Supports skin's barrier

What We Don't Like

Expensive

There's a lot of icky stuff floating out there in the environment, but this hydrating serum is jam packed with natural botanicals to protect against free radicals to keep your skin appearing healthy and refreshed. The hydrating molecules in this gem of a product also soothe inflammation and protect the skin barrier, leaving your complexion plump and renewed.

Final Verdict

When it comes to hyaluronic acid serums, we consider the SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum to be the holy grail. A dermatologist fave, its potent formula blends hyaluronic acid, proxylane, and purple rice to improve skin elasticity and plump lines and wrinkles, while licorice root extract brightens the complexion. For a budget-friendly option with luxury-level results, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 blends hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 for a powerful smoothing and plumping effect. Have oily skin? Opt for the Klur Immersion Serum Concentrate, which blends hyaluronic acid with vitamins C, B5, and E to strengthen the skin barrier, prevent dehydration, and lock in moisture. More importantly, it melts into the skin instantly without a sticky or greasy feel, ideal for oilier types.

What to Look for in a Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Right Base for Your Skin Type

When searching for the best hyaluronic acid serum, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield recommends first figuring out what base works best for your specific skin concerns. "You’ll want to look for a water-based product [such as a gel] if you have oily skin, while an oil- or cream-based serum is best for dry skin,” she says.

Alcohol-Free Formulas

Greenfield also advises against hyaluronic acid serums that contain alcohol. “A formula with alcohol can end up drying out your skin rather than hydrating it,” she says.

Antioxidant-Rich Formulas

Since serums are a great vehicle for delivering a high concentration of active ingredients to the skin, look for a hyaluronic acid serum that also contains your daily dose of antioxidants. Greenfield notes that hyaluronic acid works well with vitamin C, but it also plays nicely with vitamin B5 and green tea amongst other free radical-fighting ingredients.

FAQ

What do hyaluronic acid serums do?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance made by our skin cells that supports our skin's barrier function, explains Greenfield. It’s a humectant that holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, essentially drawing in and binding moisture to the skin, softening and hydrating it without being overly heavy. “When applying hyaluronic acid to our skin topically [through a serum], we’re giving our skin what is needed to maintain its barrier function and keep us healthy,” she says.
When should you use a hyaluronic acid serum?

Greenfield says that because hyaluronic acid is so light and versatile, you can apply a serum with it pretty much whenever you please. “I love applying hyaluronic acid post-procedure, as a part of my morning antioxidant serum, or after applying retinoids at night,” she says.
Can you apply too much hyaluronic acid serum?

In general, hyaluronic acid isn’t thought to have any negative side effects, though some studies have shown that overusing products with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid may actually induce inflammation. Greenfield also says that those with oily or acne-prone skin shouldn’t overdo it with serums in general: “You should still moisturize, but don’t go overboard!” Otherwise, you may end up with a shiny, greasy complexion or clogged pores.
Can you use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together?

Serums are great for delivering antioxidants to the skin. Greenfield points out that vitamin C serums (amongst other antioxidant serums) are typically formulated with an emollient, such as hyaluronic acid, so, yes, they can (and should!) be used together.
Which ingredients should you avoid using with a hyaluronic acid serum?

Currently, there are no known negative reactions to any specific ingredients being used together with hyaluronic acid. However, Greenfield advises against using any hyaluronic acid serums that contain alcohol (since they can be drying) or any other ingredients that typically irritate your skin or cause you to have an allergic reaction.

Meet the Expert

Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn, NY. She’s been published in many medical journals and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the American Medical Association.

23 Facial Moisturizers for Hydrated, Healthy Skin All Year Long

These Hyaluronic Acid Serums Will Make Your Skin 10 Times Dewier

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Serum

Best with Vitamin C: Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Best Drugstore: Vichy Laboratoires MINÉRAL 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Moisturizer

Best Drugstore, Runner-Up: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Best Calming: ROSE Ingleton MD Skin Calming Booster

Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster

Best Hydrating: Glossier Super Bounce

Best Long-Lasting: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Best for Very Dry Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum

Best for Oily Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

Best for Oily Skin, Runner-Up: Klur Immersion Serum Concentrate

Best with Vitamin E: Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum

Best for Mature Skin: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

Best with Ceramides: Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Best Vegan Formula: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Best Clean Formula: Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum

Best Protective: Marla Rene Beauty & Co. Moisture Recovery Hyaluronic Serum

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