Haven’t Tried a Hyaluronic Acid Serum Yet? Here Are 9 of the Best

Have you considered adding a hyaluronic acid serum into your routine? While the word “acid” sounds ominous, hyaluronic acid couldn’t be more different from other star skincare ingredients such as glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. In layman’s terms (we’ll get scientific in a bit), it’s like a big drink of water that hydrates and plumps the skin — but those aren’t the only impressive hyaluronic acid serum benefits.

While there’s nothing wrong with using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer, the best hyaluronic acid comes in the form of a concentrated, results-driven serum. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all hyaluronic serum — which is why we’ve done the research for you.

No worries. Here at the Derm Review, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare regimen that’s safe and effective. Whether you’re looking for a pure hyaluronic acid serum or one formulated with other ingredients to address your skin concerns, here are 9 of the best formulas.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum: The List

BEST OVERALL

Best Overall: Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum

FULL LIST

Carrot & Stick The Hydrating Serum

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Skin Intensifier

OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

Ghost Democracy Floodgate Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums

BEST OVERALL

Best Overall: Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum
Carrot & Stick’s hyaluronic serum visibly lifts, tightens, and firms while defending against damaging free radicals. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E deliver an instant boost of hydration, while a blend of synthesized growth factors encourages elasticity, cell turnover, and nutrient absorption to support revitalization. 

Seven plant-based neuropeptides enhance the skin’s structural integrity from the inside out, promoting smoother, more resilient-looking skin. Finally, soothing and brightening botanicals impart an ageless glow.

FULL LIST

Carrot & Stick The Hydrating Serum
This intensely hydrating serum contains both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. These two forms continuously draw water to the skin’s surface and lock it in.

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Skin Intensifier
SkinCeuticals’ results-driven formulas continue to be a favorite of skincare professionals and consumers alike, and this serum is no exception. A potent blend of unadulterated hyaluronic acid, licorice root, proxylane (a powerhouse anti-aging ingredient), and purple rice work synergistically to increase the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by 30%.

Immediately and over time, the skin becomes more hydrated, the texture is improved, fine lines and wrinkles are diminished, and elasticity is restored.

OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum
OLEHENRIKSEN’s cult-favorite Banana Bright Eye Cream pairs perfectly with this supercharged vitamin C and hyaluronic serum that, along with hyaluronic acid for hydration, contains 15% vitamin C to brighten and energize. Vitamin E nourishes while exfoliating polyhydroxy acids promote a more even and revitalized skin tone.

Ghost Democracy Floodgate Hyaluronic Acid Serum
While HA is considered a safe and suitable ingredient for all skin types, for those who tend to be on the more sensitive side, a hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serum is best. This version contains 2.1% pure HA in low, medium, and high weights in addition to 4.0% niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) to calm irritation and strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier. 

The addition of linden flower and white tea leaf extracts provides further anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. You won’t find any faux fragrance, essential oils, parabens, or other potential irritants, making it an ideal HA serum for sensitive skin.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
When you’re paying this much for a hyaluronic acid serum, you probably want to know what makes it worth the splurge. Long-and short-chain hyaluronic molecules have the ability to penetrate each layer of the skin, so you’ll notice immediate and long-term improvements. This upscale serum contains purslane, Dr. Strum’s hero ingredient, which calms irritation and inflammation, protects the skin and provides nutritive and anti-oxidative benefits.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum
A simple hyaluronic acid serum won’t do for those with highly parched skin. For that reason, this formula is an excellent choice for extra dry skin because it contains a potent 30% HA complex made up of three different molecular sizes of HA. 

There are two other star ingredients: ProHyal+ (a natural form of hyaluronic acid based on a high concentration in yeast oligosaccharides) and a 1% Pentavitin formulation that studies show keeps the skin hydrated for 72 hours.

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
The more dry mature skin is, the more prominent fine lines and wrinkles become. This serum is fortified with five different types of HA and skin-plumping peptides to intensely hydrate, smooth, and soften the signs of age — immediately and over time. 

The formula harnesses SkinMedica’s VITISENCE Technology power, which is made up of a blend of potent antioxidants derived from the Vitus flower, polysaccharides, and a peptide complex to help the skin replenish its hyaluronic acid levels.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum
As the name suggests, this serum comes to the rescue for sensitized, irritated skin regardless of type. Hyaluronic acid supports the skin’s hydration levels, colloidal oatmeal and aloe leaf juice soothe, and peptides soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It only takes a few applications to start to notice a less irritated and more hydrated complexion.

Best Hyaluronic Acid: The Bottom Line

What’s the Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum? Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. We also recommend Carrot & Stick The Hydrating Serum.

While there’s nothing wrong with using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer, the best hyaluronic acid comes from a concentrated, results-driven serum. For optimal results, look for a HA serum that contains molecules in a variety of sizes — most brands will let you know if this is the case for their formula. 

Products that use just one form of hyaluronic acid can draw moisture out of the skin, temporarily making the surface feel soft and hydrated while making you feel like you need more hyaluronic acid after the product is rinsed.

To be clear, it’s the low molecular weight HA that penetrates the deep layers, providing lasting benefits, while high weight HA molecules supply an instant moisture surge. Additionally, consider choosing a formula that contains other powerhouse ingredients such as brightening vitamin C or skin-soothing niacinamide — but avoid harsh additives such as alcohol and sulfates.

What’s the best hyaluronic acid, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about hyaluronic acid serums.

Sources:
“Hyaluronic Acid: A Key Molecule in Skin Aging,” U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, July 2012.
“Hyaluronic Acid in Inflammation and Tissue Regeneration,” National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information,” March 2016.
“The Hype on Hyaluronic Acid,” Harvard Health Publishing, January 2020.
“Bacteriostatic Effects of Hyaluronic Acid,”
National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information, April 1999.