While hyaluronic acid is typically found in skin, it “naturally depletes with age, which is why it’s important to incorporate it into your skin-care routine via topical products,” explains Dr. Markowitz. To do that, she recommends that her patients use a hyaluronic-acid serum a few times a week and only once per day. “If you use hyaluronic acid every day, your skin will adapt too quickly and the results won’t be as impactful,” she says.

Another pro tip, courtesy of aesthetician and Dior skin-care expert Sean Garrette, is to apply the serum on damp skin (either after cleansing or directly following your face essence or toner). New York-based aesthetician Samantha Mims is quick to second that application technique, noting that “it aids in penetration and helps the hyaluronic acid to perform optimally in the skin, creating a plump, dewy look and feel.”

Below, skin experts share their recommendations for the best hyaluronic acid serums to help you achieve your most radiant and hydrated skin in any season.

Best for Intense Hydration: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier

• Why We Love It: “This serum features a high level of H.A. (1.3%), making it extremely potent and effective. It is also considered a corrective serum since it targets fine lines and wrinkles with ingredients like licorice root and purple rice,” says Dr. Markowitz. “It is the perfect combination of ingredients to deliver hydration, which will, in turn, improve the overall texture of the skin.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, licorice root, purple rice
• Best For: Dry and mature skin types

Best Prebiotic: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

• Why We Love It: Think of the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 serum as the LBD of your skin-care cabinet—it never goes out of style. Whether you’re storing it in your travel beauty bag or whipping it out during your daily regimen, expect its hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin B5, and the label’s prebiotic thermal water to replenish skin’s moisture levels.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, madecassoside
• Best For: Sensitive skin

Best Cooling: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum

• Why We Love It: “This is a hyaluronic-acid serum on steroids, and my favorite H.A. serum for so many reasons,” says aesthetician Candace Marino of this formula, which is suitable for all skin conditions. She notes its lightweight texture as well as calming, cooling, and anti-inflammatory properties. “It features hyaluronic acid for hydration alongside vitamin B5 to promote skin health and cell metabolism; mushroom extract, an antimicrobial ingredient that’s also brightening; and centella asiatica, an antiaging and healing powerhouse antioxidant.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, vitamin B5
• Best For: Sensitive or redness-prone skin

Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

• Why We Love It: The quenching, weightless texture of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s hyaluronic acid serum is only half the draw of its beloved formula, even with it’s steep price point. Powered by long and short-chain hyaluronic molecules alongside skin-soothing purslane, this serum instantly boosts moisture levels to reveal supple, glowing skin.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, purslane, radish root ferment
• Best For: Mature skin, dry skin

Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

• Why We Love It: The Ordinary recently reformulated its best-selling hyaluronic acid serum with a few key differences: for starters, the serum feels more lightweight to the touch, with a slight yellow tint thanks to the formula’s blend of ceramides. Even with the lightweight feel, it still boasts mixed molecular weight hyaluronic acid to deliver deeper hydration to the skin for longer-lasting results. At the same time, panthenol (a.k.a. vitamin B5) supports added moisture retention and skin barrier health with fatty acids.
• Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, propanediol, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, panthenol, red algae extract, glycerin, tocopherol
• Best For: Maximum hydration at a cost conscious price point

Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

• Why We Love It: SkinMedica HA5 is another one of Dr. Henry’s favorites: “It has many different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to penetrate and hydrate at different depths of the epidermis.” It’s also fragrance-free, making it appropriate for sensitive types, and boasts up to 8 hours of continuous hydration. A blend of humectants, peptides, and vitamin E work together to combat dehydration, while smoothing texture and plumping fine lines—making it idea of mature skin types.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin E
• Best For: Mature skin

Best for Dry Skin: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

• Why We Love It: “This isn’t just an ordinary hyaluronic-acid serum,” says Garrette. It features multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, including sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, which “help to penetrate and deeply hydrate all layers of the skin,” he explains. “This formula also includes ceramides and niacinamide—two nourishing ingredients that are crucial for proper skin-barrier function. This blend of ingredients helps to soothe, hydrate, and nourish the skin.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
• Best For: Very dry skin

Best With Apricot Oil: Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%

• Why We Love It: Garrette leans on this as an affordable recommendation for his clients. He loves it because it contains multiple forms of hyaluronic acid accompanied by apricot-kernel oil, all working together to restore the lipid barrier of the skin.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, apricot oil, vitamin C
• Best For: Compromised skin, dry skin

Best Clean Beauty: Osea Hyaluronic Acid Sea Serum

• Why We Love It: Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Erum Ilyas consistently recommends Osea’s serum for patients with dry, mature skin, referring to the clean beauty brand as an underrated gem—this serum is one of her own skincare staples, she shares. “There is no other product line that can give my skin a glow and boost in hydration that compares to Osea products,” Dr. Ilyas previously told Vogue. A mineral-rich fusion of sea-born ingredients, this salve will drench the skin in moisture thanks to dual-weight hyaluronic acid, rare Japanese miru seaweed, snow mushrooms, and a volcanic marine ferment.
• Key ingredients: Japanese miru seaweed (to rebalance the skin’s moisture level), hyaluronic acid, volcanic marine ferment (to plump the skin and smooth fine lines), snow mushroom (for hydration and moisture)
• Best For: All skin types, clean beauty enthusiasts, mature skin

Best French Pharmacy: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

• Why We Love It: “Hyaluronic-acid serums should make your skin feel hydrated without drowning your skin,” explains double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp of this French-pharmacy find. “This lightweight, transparent, fast-absorbing, easy-to-apply H.A. serum does just that. It also includes volcanic water rich in nourishing minerals to strengthen skin and restore moisture.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, volcanic water
• Best For: Sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin

Best for a Bouncy Complexion: BJan Marini Hyla3D Face Serum

• Why We Love It: Jan Marini’s Hyla3D serum is Marino’s pick for normal to dry or mature skin. “Its patented formula features four different types of H.A. at different molecular weights to address hydration and different levels of the skin, in conjunction with calcium ketogluconate, which is a hyaluronic-acid booster,” she explains. “This serum helps to hydrate and replenish the skin while restoring volume, delivering a more youthful, bouncy complexion.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, CoQ10, peptides
• Best For: Dry skin, mature skin

Best K-Beauty: Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro CERA-HA Face Serum

• Why We Love It: While skin-care lovers in the U.S. are just beginning to discover the cult-favorite Aestura, the K-beauty brand has been a trusted staple in South Korea since the 1980s. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this serum is dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, making it a go-to for even the most reactive complexions. The lightweight yet potent formula delivers instant hydration while preventing future moisture loss, thanks to stabilized ceramides that absorb deep into the skin’s layers. Enhanced with hyaluronic acid, it also helps strengthen the skin barrier.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid-ceramide blend, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin
• Best For: Acne-prone and sensitive skin types, in need of skincare that won’t make their complexions more reactive.

Best Gel: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum

• Why We Love It: According to Dr. Camp, this gel-like serum product “boasts a 75% composition of hyaluronic acid to deliver intense skin hydration. It offers a matte finish to easily layer under a moisturizer and leaves skin feeling silky smooth.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, silk proteins, sodium PCA
• Best For: Dehydrated skin, oily skin

---

AccordionItemContainerButton

As we mentioned, hyaluronic acid is found naturally throughout the body, where it helps lubricate the joints and plump skin. “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it acts like a magnet for moisture—it draws water from its surroundings and holds onto it,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, Canada. Once in the layers of those, water molecules add volume, lending skin a plumper look.

What to look for in a hyaluronic acid serum

AccordionItemContainerButton

First, consider the size. Not all hyaluronic acid is created equal; they come in various molecular sizes, or weights. “Smaller molecules are able to penetrate the skin more deeply than larger molecules,” says Dr. Yadav. Meanwhile, larger sizes remain near the top of skin, offering more immediate (though temporary) plumping. “For comprehensive skin hydration, consider looking for a hyaluronic acid serum that contains multiple molecular weights,” says Dr. Yadav.

She also recommends looking for a formula with multiple humectants, such as glycerin and aloe. This offers the best possible hydration, which is critical for those with dehydrated skin (which can otherwise appear dull and prone to sagging).

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

AccordionItemContainerButton

In drawing water into the skin, hyaluronic acid “helps hydrate the skin, plumping and smoothing its appearance,” says Dr. Yadav. That can make it helpful not only if you have dryness, but also for those looking to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles—as dehydrated skin can exaggerate their appearance.

Who should use a hyaluronic acid serum?

AccordionItemContainerButton

Anyone and everyone benefits from using a hyaluronic-acid serum. “Even if you don’t have dry skin, your skin can be dehydrated,” says Dr. Yadav. Furthermore, there’s the fact that the skin’s innate production of hyaluronic acid drops with age. To offset the consequences, “think of hyaluronic acid and other humectants as a glass of water for your skin,” she says. “Chances are, you can always benefit from a glass of water.”

For those with sensitive skin, there’s little reason to worry—since hyaluronic acid is naturally found in skin, even very sensitive skin types tolerate it well.

Should you pair hyaluronic acid with other skin care ingredients to boost efficacy?

AccordionItemContainerButton

Hyaluronic acid is a bit of an extrovert, meaning it plays well with other active ingredients. For one, to get the maximum benefit of any active ingredient, hyaluronic acid included, “you’ll want to apply it to freshly exfoliated skin—it won’t get where it needs to go if there are dead skin cells in the way,” says Dr. Yadav. “Consider using a hyaluronic acid serum that features gentle chemical exfoliants like PHA.”

And because hyaluronic acid draws moisture into skin, a healthy skin barrier helps keep it there—thus extending its benefits. So barrier-replenishing ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids can help you maximize the effects of hyaluronic acid.

AccordionItemContainerButton

• Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist in MDCS in New York, NY
• Sean Garrette is aesthetician and Dior skin-care expert in New York, NY.
• Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
• Erum Ilyas, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
• Orit Markowitz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Optiskin Medical in New York, NY.
• Candace Marino is an aesthetician at the LA Facialist in Los Angeles, CA.
• Samantha Mims is an aesthetician at Dermasaa and Brooklyn Face & Eye in Brooklyn, NY.
• Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto, Canada.