The term ‘hyaluronic acid serum’ may sound as though it was bound to be a harsh chemical created in a lab, but the truth is, it’s actually naturally occurring in the human body; it just depletes as we age. Because it bonds water so well with the collagen in your body, applying it topically may help stimulate collagen production by hydrating your skin so thoroughly. If you’re stuck on what type of hyaluronic acid serum to get, though, don’t fret; we did the work for you!
We reviewed dozens of hyaluronic acid serums to identify the best of the best. We looked at the best rated hyaluronic acid serums and those that will give you the best bang for your buck, We found the hyaluronic acids that offer a formula of beneficial ingredients and those that will give you nothing but the pure unfettered hyaluronic acid you want. No matter what you want in a hyaluronic acid serum, we have the right one for you.
From the very beginning of our research, the Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum stood out as the obvious choice for our best overall hyaluronic acid serum choice. With the high-quality sources and the pure hyaluronic acid, you’ll want for nothing in this serum!
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Hyaluronic Acid Serums
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum Overall | Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum | 4.3 |
| Best Oil-Free Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream | 4.5 |
| Best Budget Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Dr Song Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum | 4.6 |
| Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Retinol | Yeouth Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid | 4.3 |
| Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum Overall: Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a gentle serum that you’ll apply twice daily – in the evening and in the morning, to help even the most sensitive skins re-hydrate and moisturize. It uses natural and organic sources, so you’ll be able to give your skin that healthy glow with only the best ingredients.
You also won’t need to worry about any pungent odor – it’s fragrance-free, making it a complete secret you’ve even put it on. Just as it has no added fragrance, it also skipped putting in any extra fillers, dyes, oils, or parabens. By using this serum, you’re ensuring your skin is getting the best of the best.
There’s no disputing the numbers behind this product, either. Over 14,000 customers have purchased it on Amazon and felt passionately enough to come back and leave a review – consider how strongly you have to feel to make that effort and you’ll start to understand why the overall rating of 4.3 stars is so impressive!
Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum Key Features:
- Paraben-free; oil-free
- 100% pure
- 3 size options
Best Oil-Free Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream will go on smooth and won’t leave a greasy feel to your skin – and that’s saying something for a product that’s known for its ultra-rick hydration! You won’t notice any filmy or sticky layer, either – which is equally surprising, if you’ve used a lot of skin serums. It will absorb fast like a gel and maintain moisture like a cream – it’s the best of both worlds!
The gel-cream serum uses an olive extract (but not oil) to give your skin the supple hydration and it locks it in place to ensure you’ll keep the same appearance of freshly moisturized – but for all day long.
Over 4,500 customer reviews on Amazon have earned it an overall rating of 4.5 stars, and that’s no small feat. After all, literal thousands of customers are satisfied – there’s a pretty good chance you will be, too.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream Key Features:
- Oil, dye, and fragrance-free
- 1.7 oz jar
- Apply daily
Best Budget Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Dr Song Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Dr Song Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is gentle enough to be applied daily and strong enough that you’ll see a diminishing of your fine lines and wrinkles fast. You’ll just apply to your cleansed face in the morning or right before bed and notice your skin’s age signs melting away.
An all-too-welcome side effect of this serum is the brightening of your skin, too. You’ll notice those uneven tones and blotches fading over time and don’t be surprised if, after just one bottle, your skin appears to have shed years.
While everything about this product looks pretty good (it has nearly 900 customer reviews and an overall rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, after all), it’s the price we’re most excited about. You can pick up the smaller vial, to try out, if you’d like, for just around $5! – A total steal.
Dr Song Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum Key Features:
- Vegan-friendly
- 2 size options
- Apply daily
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Retinol: Yeouth Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
The Yeouth Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid may be marketed more as a retinol serum, but the hyaluronic acid contained within more than pulls its weight. You’re going to see fine lines smoothened by the hyaluronic acid and the retinol will do its part to stimulate your skin’s rejuvenation to prevent any more wrinkles from forming. (Or, more accurately, to slow them down – we can’t actually reverse aging entirely.)
The 1-ounce bottle will last for approximately one month of continued use – applying each night before bed for the best results. Your skin tone will even through the vitamin E boost, the hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera will both act to hydrate your skin ad the retinol will stimulate collagen production – sounds like a winning combination to us!
Nearly 3,000 customer reviews on Amazon have awarded this hyaluronic acid an overall rating of 4.3 stars. With numbers like those, it’s no wonder it’s Amazon’s choice for “retinol.”
Yeouth Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid Key Features:
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed
- 2 size options
- Includes retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, Aloe Vera, and more
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C: Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum will give your skin such a dose of hydration, you’ll be seeing results faster than ever. And more than just seeing, you’ll be feeling them, as well. Your skin will be supple and soft like you’ve shed years from your skin’s aging.
This serum includes ingredients specially chosen to combat the common effects of aging on your skin. The depleted moisture is countered with a pure hyaluronic acid that will reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and the vitamin C will reduce the free-radicals that cause damage to your skin cells, making the dehydration all the more visible.
Sitting with an overall rating of 4.5 stars, given by roughly 3,000 customer reviews on Amazon, this is one hyaluronic acid serum you won’t want to ignore. The chances of your satisfaction are pretty high, especially when you consider that 88% of customers on Amazon have given it positive reviews.
Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum Key Features:
- 2 oz bottle
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Also includes Vitamin E, Witch Hazel, Jojoba Oil, Green Tea, and more
Who Should Buy a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If you’re not happy with the way your skin is aging, then you may want to give it a boost of nutrients that can make it appear more vibrant and youthful. The best and easiest topical application you can begin to reverse wrinkles is to make sure your skin is properly hydrated. There are few products that will maintain your skin’s hydration as well as hyaluronic acid, and applying a serum regularly is the first step in reversing the physical effects of aging. Though you may need more to completely reverse it, the addition of hyaluronic acid will see your wrinkles smoothed and your fine lines less visible over time.
If you’re worried more about prevention, then maintaining proper hydration to your skin is definitely something you should consider. You’ll be all the better prepared for when your skin’s collagen production slows down if you already have a regiment of maintaining proper hydration in your skin. While hyaluronic acid serum may not always be enough to prevent wrinkles – you may need more aggressive boosters as you age – while you’re still just in the prevention and not reversal stage of wrinkles, a quality hyaluronic acid serum will go a long way towards healthy, vibrant skin.
If you’re primarily focused on your eyes, then you may want to check out The Best Eye Creams.
Important Features to Consider
A hyaluronic acid serum should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a hyaluronic acid serum:
- Vitamin C. Several vitamins are good for your skin, of course. Vitamin C, however, is well-known for how well it hydrates. The more vitamin C in your diet, you may find, the better your body stays hydrated and the same can be said of a topical application. If you regularly apply Vitamin C to your skin, you’ll find it well-nourished and more supple than before.
- Retinol. Retinol is often used in the prevention and reversal of aging effects on your skin. If you have wrinkles, or are worried you will, then regular application retinol can help your skin maintain or regain its youthful appearance. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that specifically addresses problems addressed with skin and eye aging. In topical form, it will convert to retinoic acid, and stimulate your body’s natural collagen production to strengthen the bonds in your skin, making it firmer and preventing and reversing wrinkles.
- Formula. The biggest perk of a hyaluronic acid serum that uses a formula of ingredients is that you’ll frequently find you get a lot more “hang for your buck” when it comes to hydration. Oftentimes you’ll have several ingredients that will multiply the hydration power of your hyaluronic acid. Occasionally, the formula will even be so well composed that the other ingredients amplify the effectiveness of the hyaluronic acid.
- Pure. In contrast to the above, a pure hyaluronic acid serum won’t include anything you don’t know and want. You may not be getting any additional benefits like you can with serums, but that also means you won’t have a negative reaction to an ingredient you hadn’t thought to worry about. You won’t be putting anything you don’t know about on your skin and that, in and of itself, is a big comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hyaluronic acid do to your skin?
The biggest, most commonly known advantage of hyaluronic acid is skin hydration. The benefits of skin hydration may be more encompassing than you realize, though. You’ll relieve dry and itchy skin with a more lasting effect than moisturizers like a standard face lotion without the hyaluronic acid, and the number of times you’ll need to apply any kind of moisturizer will likely drop drastically. You’ll also see more supple and feel it, as well. While it can’t promise you the feel or appearance of the skin you had as a child, you’ll still notice the difference after regular use. If you suffer from the occasional acne, the hyaluronic acid may help with that, too. In fact, any kind of skin wound or injury will have a faster recovery time if you regularly use hyaluronic acid serums. (Though you should avoid putting it on an open wound.)
How often should I use hyaluronic acid?
You want to follow the instructions on your specific serum to make sure you’re not using your particular hyaluronic acid serum too much or too little. Too much hyaluronic acid will actually dehydrate your skin, believe it or not, and beyond that it’s not cheap! You won’t want to overuse and waste your product. Too little will make your progress slower and the results less noticeable, or even worse, you’ll not give enough to counter your aging effects and may never see any results at all.
Most hyaluronic acids are designed for daily use, though others will allow for more frequent use. No matter what your specific serum calls for, though, you’ll probably want to start slow to test how your skin reacts. As long as your skin doesn’t have a reaction, you can apply once a day for a few days before you increase to the recommended use.
What is better retinol or hyaluronic acid?
Whether you find hyaluronic acid or retinol better is entirely dependent on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking to strictly prevent wrinkles and keep your skin soft and silky, then hyaluronic acid will do the trick. It’s also a bit more gentle, so if your skin is particularly sensitive, hyaluronic acid may be the best route for you, even if you do need more attention to wrinkles – it just may take a bit longer and you may not see as significant changes.
If your interest in skin treatments is more wrinkle reversal and smoothing fine lines already in your skin, retinol will be the better bet. It will stimulate the collagen production in your skin, and since the lack of collagen, as well as the dehydration over time, are what cause wrinkles, the retinol is going to have the more dramatic and fast results.
Can I use hyaluronic acid instead of moisturizer?
Strictly speaking, a hyaluronic acid serum is a moisturizer and is excellent to use on your face and neck. You may want to use another moisturizer as well, but you likely won’t need to do so. However, you’ll probably find that a serum is probably going to be too expensive for you to feasibly use it daily all over your skin and body. You can, however, find a good lotion or cream that goes all over your body that will include some of that coveted, ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid that will keep the skin on your entire body supple and well-hydrated.
Other Hyaluronic Acid Serums We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other hyaluronic acid serums. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best hyaluronic acid serums list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your skin. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Formula Hyaluronic Acid Serums
- Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serums
- Retinol Hyaluronic Acid Serums
- Hyaluronic Acid Serums with Vitamin C
Formula Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Horbaach Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hyaluronic acid serum will offer your skin hydration that is vegetarian-friendly, too.
Key Features:
- Naturally free of gluten, yeast, milk, and lactose
- 2 size options
- Paraben and SLS-free
Cost: $6
This hyaluronic acid serum uses a formula created using NSAS stem cell technology and their Multi-Molecular Hyaluronix to hydrate even more deeply.
Key Features:
- Uses plant stem cells to mimic your own
- 1 oz bottle
- 100 satisfaction guarantee
Cost: $15
L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid
This serum goes on smooth and light – it’s quickly absorbed into your skin to hydrate deeply for a long-lasting plump and soft appearance.
Key Features:
- Fragrance, mineral oil, paraben, and dye-free
- Uses 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid
- 3 sizes available
Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serums
ASTERWOOD NATURALS Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This serum is a pure punch of hydration to your dry and aging skin – 100% pure hyaluronic acid.
Key Features:
- 8 oz bottle
- Organic and vegan
- Money-back guarantee
Cost: $45
This serum is suitable for all skin types and will make sure that you’re skin is as youthful as ever.
Key Features:
- Sulfate, paraben, fragrance, and alcohol-free
- 2 size options
- Apply once daily
Cost: $10
This natural and organic hyaluronic acid serum will smooth your skin and erase the fine lines while giving you quality ingredients you’re sure to notice.
Key Features:
- Suitable for all skin types
- 1 fl ox bottle
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cost: $12
GENIUS Chemistry Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This hyaluronic acid serum is a concentrated dose that will plump out fine lines as well as smoothing wrinkles.
Key Features:
- 8 oz bottle
- 30-day refund policy
- Apply 1-2 times daily
Cost: $25
The longer that you use this hyaluronic acid serum, the more effects you’ll see and feel – after a few months, you’ll see a far younger-looking skin.
Key Features:
- 2 oz bottle
- Good for all skin types
- Apply twice daily
Cost: $15
SenAllis Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This listing includes a small bottle of hyaluronic acid and a dropper for ease of application – and because the manufacturer knows how much you’ll love it – it also comes with a bonus refill bottle.
Key Features:
- Fragrance, phthalate, and paraben-free
- 8 oz and 2 oz
- Suitable for all skin types
Cost: $20
Timeless Skin Care Hyaluronic Serum
You’ll get just what you want with this serum – hyaluronic acid – and no fillers that you don’t need.
Key Features:
- Dries fast and clear
- 2 size options
- Use anywhere you want to be tightened
Cost: $10
For a hyaluronic acid serum that’s going to help your skin look as youthful as ever, then you’ll want to try this one.
Key Features:
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Vega; paraben and cruelty-free
- 2 size options
Retinol Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum
This serum will help the effects of aging, but could also provide huge benefits in the evening of your skin tone and clearing any blemish.
Key Features:
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- 1 oz bottle
- 20% Vit C, 5% Hyaluronic Acid
Cost: $15
Meebak Cica Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
This serum will repair the damage your skin has seen from the effects of aging and you’ll notice smoother skin fast.
Key Features:
- 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee
- 1 oz bottle
- Sulfate, phthalate, paraben, and cruelty-free
Cost: $20
TruSkin Naturals Retinol Serum
You’ll get the boost to your collagen production as well as ultra-hydration when you apply this serum.
Key Features:
- Reduces dark spots
- 2 oz bottle
- Use at night only
Hyaluronic Acid Serums with Vitamin C
With this purchase, you’ll get two serums that will each do big things for your skin’s vibrant and youthful appearance.
Key Features:
- Two 1 oz bottles
- 2 packaging options available
- Apply twice daily
Cost: $20
Eve Hansen Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Your skin will never be so hydrated as when you use this hyaluronic acid serum regularly.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- 2 size options
- Paraben, phthalate, sulfate, and cruelty-free
Cost: $25
Hyaluronic Acid Serum by ArtNaturals
You’ll enhance your skin’s hydration as well as minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with this hyaluronic acid serum.
Key Features:
- 1 oz bottle
- Good for acne, as well
- Apply once daily
Cost: $15
Salt Lake Supplements Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid
By applying this serum daily, you’ll rid your skin of the damaging free-radicals to create more healthy skin.
Key Features:
- 20% Vitamin C
- 2 size options
- Satisfaction guaranteed
Cost: $10
TruSkin Naturals Hyaluronic Acid
This hyaluronic acid serum gives your skin a boost of vitamins C and E to make sure that your hydrated skin is cleared of free radicals and better protected.
Key Features:
- 2 size options
- 90-day money-back refund
- Made in USA
Cost: $15
Zone – 365 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If you suffer from particularly dry skin, you may appreciate the intense hydration you can get with this hyaluronic acid serum.
Key Features:
- Reduces appearance of scars, wrinkles, acne
- 1 oz bottle
- Effects in as little as 2 weeks
Cost: $15
