The 10 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums for Hydrated, Soft Skin, According to Testers

Best Overall

StriVectin Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

$69 at Amazon $69 at Sephora $69 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

StriVectin’s Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum is exactly what it sounds like—a serum that multiplies hydration. It does so through a unique application method that involves two serums deposited simultaneously. When you press down on the top of the bottle, you’ll see a serum with a clear, gel-like consistency and another that’s creamier and richer. As you smooth them across the skin, they meld together.

Admittedly, the serums can feel somewhat sticky at first, but our tester assured us that the formulation sinks into the skin with minimal residue in about a minute. The serum had both short- and long-term effects on her skin texture. Right away, her skin looked hydrated—so much so that the forehead lines she’s self-conscious about looked smoother under makeup—and after using a whole bottle, her lines softened altogether. 

Taylore, tester with combination/dry skin: “This serum left my skin incredibly bouncy, making for a smooth canvas under makeup or just a bare face. My complexion was radiant and dewy from the moment I applied, and it had a solid impact over time.”

Best for Mature Skin

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

$25

$21 at Amazon $25 at Ulta $25 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, amino acid complex, ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.67 oz

We won’t lie, this formula is the thickest of the bunch (so it may not be the best for very oily skin types), but it actually does plump skin on contact—concealing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Once you get past the texture and the way it feels on the skin for the first few minutes, we think you’ll love it. Our tester with combination skin certainly did; she said that her skin was noticeably more hydrated, plump, and moisturized after each use. Mature skin types will also love that it addresses dryness and dullness in their skin tone with the help of a proprietary amino acid complex and ceramides.

Toral, tester with combination skin: “My skin definitely felt more hydrated after consistently using this product. My fine lines (which tend to appear more when my skin is dry) improved and seemed to appear plumper.”

Best Budget

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

$10 at Amazon $10 at Sephora $10 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, B5 | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.01 oz

We highly recommend this popular hyaluronic acid serum for those looking to test out the buzzy ingredient on a budget this summer. Our tester with combination/oily skin liked this formula's consistency, noting that it struck the perfect balance between runny and thick. Plus, because the formula contains niacinamide, which targets dark spots and reduces signs of aging, her skin looked much more even-toned after the testing period.

Toni, tester with combination/dry skin: "From the start, I appreciated how easy it was to apply, and the results were noticeable and efficient. The most striking improvements were around my lips and fine lines around my eyes. Each application felt refreshing and deeply moisturizing without any heaviness, making it a joy to use daily."

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$23

$17 at Amazon $23 at Ulta $20 at Target

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, B5, ceramides | Skin Type: All, especially dry | Size: 1 oz

Loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (also known as panthenol), and ceramides, this serum helps bind moisture to the skin’s surface, giving it a rush of hydration. It’s great for sensitive skin because it’s packed with hydrating ingredients, but doesn’t contain additional actives that might cause irritation. It's especially great for those struggling with a damaged skin barrier or those wanting to address fine lines and wrinkles. Our tester with mature skin, Samantha, noticed a few creases around her nose and mouth before using this serum, and after weeks of applying it daily, the lines softened, leaving her skin looking smoother and more youthful. 

Samantha, tester with combination skin: “I keep getting compliments on my skin—specifically the texture—which is huge for me since dewy and radiant are not words I would have previously used to describe it. I also like that I can apply makeup directly after applying. It doesn’t make me feel sticky or tacky; it goes on smoothly and sinks into the skin nicely.” 

Best for Dry Skin

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster

$39 at Amazon $39 at Dermstore $39 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, plant extracts | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.5 oz

Although hyaluronic acid is generally great for dry skin, some formulas are more hydrating than others. During testing, we found this one to be super effective at improving dryness. The application process was easy and quick. Our tester said the serum instantly absorbed into her skin; she didn't have to wait for it to dry at all. Plus, she couldn't feel it sitting on her skin from the moment it was on. It instantly improved her dryness and made her skin feel softer. And pilling is virtually nonexistent with this product, which should please those who wear makeup often.

Lauren, tester with combination skin and some very dry patches: "Once I started using the serum regularly, my skin began feeling softer. I will be adding hyaluronic acid into my routine going forward because of how nice my skin felt while using it."

Best for a Damaged Skin Barrier

Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%

$17

$12 at Amazon $17 at Ulta $17 at Naturium.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

You can reap the benefits of four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for under $20 (win-win). It’s smart to use a formula with several options because each molecular weight absorbs into a different layer of the skin; for example, some penetrate wrinkles, while others sink deep into the skin’s barrier. This affordable pick also leans on glycerin (a hydrator) and vitamin E (an antioxidant) to relieve dryness and help maintain a healthy skin barrier.

Our tester, Bianca, shared that the serum helped keep her skin calm and nourished when using potent active ingredients like retinol. Because it’s so fluid, it takes a few minutes to really sink in, but once absorbed, it doesn’t leave a residue or cause other products to pill. 

Bianca, tester with combination skin: “This serum makes my skin feel ultra-hydrated without layering anything on top. My skin looks dewy and healthy but never oily.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$30 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $40 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, mineral-rich volcanic water | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz

For those battling breakouts, hyaluronic acid is the ideal hydrating ingredient—effective, yet not at all heavy, and, most importantly, won’t clog pores. Our tester (who herself is prone to blemishes) didn’t notice any after using this product. Rather, it left her skin—which also gets seasonally dry—plumped and hydrated. It does layer nicely under makeup, the caveat being that you need to let it fully dry before using anything on top; it had a tendency to pill otherwise.

Natalya, tester with dry, acne-prone skin: “I didn’t experience any irritation or breakouts while using this, and it helped plump and hydrate my skin, making fine lines less noticeable. I also didn’t feel the need to apply moisturizer mid-day when using this product.”

Best for Dewy Skin

Drunk Elephant Amino Rain Glasswater Serum

$59 at Amazon $58 at Sephora $59 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hiya super hydration complex, fermented poly amino acid, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination | Size: 1 oz

We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t want a dewier, more radiant complexion—and this hyaluronic acid serum delivers exactly that. Our tester raved about how luminous it left her skin from the jump, likening the effect to a blurring filter. Credit a unique complex of four different types of hyaluronic acid in the mix that lock in plenty of hydration. The formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing, although our tester did lament that the more liquid-y consistency came out a bit unevenly from the pump-top applicator.

Melissa, tester with combination skin: “This left my skin luminous and with a filtered effect immediately after application. It was also lovely under makeup and made my skin look more even and bright.”

Best for Oily Skin

Torriden DIVE IN 5D Serum

$24

$23 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $24 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.69 oz

Hyaluronic acid is great for any skin type, but it’s an especially good choice for those with oily complexions. Because yes, even if your skin gets slick, you still need to hydrate—which is where the lightweight texture of hyaluronic acid comes up big. Our tester with combination skin loved that this winner was fast-absorbing and not at all sticky. It left her complexion hydrated all day, while also plumping and smoothing away the look of fine lines. Even better? An affordable price, coupled with the fact that a little goes a long way, gives you extra bang for your buck. FYI, she did notice a bit of initial tingling upon application, but it didn’t cause any redness.

Brittany, tester with combination skin: “I’d recommend this product to anyone who is a fan of hyaluronic acid and wants to add a moisture boost to their skincare routine, especially during the cold or dry months. It’s priced well, works great, and a little goes a long way.”

Best Makeup-Friendly

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Dew N Plump Nectar Glow Serum

$38 at Sephora $38 at Fentybeauty.com $38 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, superquench juice complex, panthenol | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

Consider this the perfect hyaluronic acid serum to use in the morning. Our tester raved about not only how instantly glowy it left her skin, but also how well it worked under both makeup and other skincare, without even the trace of pilling. The lightweight consistency is easy to apply and absorbs quickly. The one drawback? While the short-term effects were impressive, our tester didn’t necessarily notice any long-term improvements in her skin, specifically when it came to plumpness and reduced fine lines.

Ashley, tester with dry skin: “I layered sunscreen, primer, makeup, and setting spray on top of this and didn’t experience any pilling or other adverse effects. Once it’s been absorbed, it keeps my skin looking hydrated.”