TL;DR
StriVectin Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum is the gold commonplace of hyaluronic acid serums. It fared properly in our testing, offering each rapid and long-term outcomes. Upon making use of the serum, our tester’s pores and skin felt immediately hydrated, and after utilizing an entire bottle, her fantastic strains appeared much less pronounced. The Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% is one other favourite amongst Byrdie testers on account of its reasonably priced worth level and talent to hydrate the pores and skin with out residue.
Whereas each particular person’s skincare routine could look completely different on account of various pores and skin varieties, considerations, and targets, one ingredient deserves a spot in each: hyaluronic acid. In accordance with board-certified dermatologist Claire Wolinsky, M.D., this highly effective humectant naturally exists within the pores and skin, however when utilized topically, it attracts and holds as much as 1,000 occasions its weight in water, resulting in an instantaneous hydrating, plumping impact. Whereas hyaluronic acid doesn’t straight cease indicators of getting older or exchange filler solely, constant use can soften fantastic strains and wrinkles, promote smoother pores and skin texture, and impart a more healthy, dewier look.
For those who’re prepared so as to add a hyaluronic acid serum to your skincare routine, we’re right here to assist. After conducting hours of analysis and consulting two dermatologists, we examined 34 serums for 12 weeks, contemplating every formulation’s absorption, hydration, plumping impact, and whether or not we seen a discount in fantastic strains and wrinkles. With out additional ado, let’s get into it.
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Twin-chambered formulation hydrates and locks in moisture
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Has a substantial impression on strains and wrinkles
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Delivers radiance and bounciness
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1 oz
Strivectin’s Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum is precisely what it seems like—a serum that multiplies hydration. It does so by way of a singular utility technique that entails two serums deposited concurrently. While you press down on the highest of the bottle, you’ll see a serum with a transparent, gel-like consistency and one other that’s creamier and richer. As you easy them throughout the pores and skin, they meld collectively. Admittedly, the serums can really feel considerably sticky at first, however our tester assured us that the formulation sinks into the pores and skin with minimal residue in a couple of minute. The serum had each short- and long-term results on her pores and skin texture. Straight away, her pores and skin seemed hydrated—a lot in order that the brow strains she’s self-conscious about seemed smoother beneath make-up—and after utilizing an entire bottle, her strains softened altogether.
Taylore, tester with mixture/dry pores and skin: “This serum left my pores and skin extremely bouncy, making for a easy canvas beneath make-up or only a naked face. My complexion was radiant and dewy from the second I utilized, and it had a stable impression over time.”
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, B5 | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1.01 oz
We extremely advocate this common hyaluronic acid serum for these seeking to take a look at out the buzzy ingredient on a price range. Our tester with mixture/oily pores and skin shared that she favored this formulation’s consistency, noting that it struck the proper steadiness between runny and thick. Plus, as a result of the formulation incorporates niacinamide, an ingredient that targets darkish spots and discoloration, she famous that her pores and skin seemed far more even-toned after the testing interval.
Jodi, tester with mixture/oil pores and skin: “The Strange’s hyaluronic acid serum softened and smoothed my pores and skin over time. It felt like I had been utilizing a wealthy moisturizer each evening—that is how hydrating it’s. I am undecided concerning the plumping impact, nevertheless, it made my pores and skin look youthful.”
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Combines low, medium, and excessive molecular weight hyaluronic acid
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Alleviates dryness and softens pores and skin
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Feels nourishing however not greasy
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1 oz
You’ll be able to reap the advantages of 4 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for beneath $20. As a result of every molecular weight absorbs into a distinct layer of the pores and skin—for instance, some penetrate wrinkles, whereas others sink deep into the pores and skin’s barrier—it’s sensible to make use of a formulation with a number of choices. This reasonably priced choose additionally leans on glycerin (a hydrator) and vitamin E (an antioxidant) to alleviate dryness and assist preserve a wholesome pores and skin barrier. Our tester, Bianca, shared that the serum helped maintain her pores and skin calm and nourished when utilizing potent lively substances like retinol. As a result of it’s so fluid, it takes a couple of minutes to essentially sink in, however as soon as it’s absorbed, it doesn’t depart a residue or trigger different merchandise to tablet.
Bianca, tester with mixture pores and skin: “This serum makes my pores and skin really feel ultra-hydrated with out layering something on prime. My pores and skin seems dewy and wholesome however by no means oily.”
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Softens and smooths pores and skin texture
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Absorbs in beneath two minutes
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Feels refreshing and non-greasy
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, proprietary BioMarine | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1.0 oz
For those who’re coping with post-acne marks, present breakouts, or pesky bumps, we advocate attempting this feature—it labored superbly for our tester with acne-prone pores and skin and uneven pores and skin texture. She skilled a simple utility—the formulation sank into her pores and skin virtually instantly, leaving a refreshing, hydrating feeling afterward. She discovered it to be surprisingly light-weight and beloved that it did not depart behind residue or stickiness, which mitigated the chance for pilling beneath make-up. So far as substances go, this one incorporates hyaluronic acid, peptides (an ingredient that reinforces pores and skin elasticity, will increase collagen, and enhances the pores and skin’s total look), and a proprietary extract referred to as BioMarine, which the model says aids in firming. This serum appeared to have a chilled impact on her pores and skin; it helped scale back irritation and made her pores and skin really feel softer to the contact.
Amanda, tester with dry, acne-prone pores and skin: “My pores and skin texture is drastically completely different after eight weeks of testing this hyaluronic acid serum. My chin zits is much less infected, and my complete face is softer and extra even-looking. My pores and skin glows after making use of it and stays that method all through the day. The hydration lasts simply as lengthy, too, and my face has by no means been extra hydrated.”
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract, purple rice extract, proxylane | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1 oz
Regardless of being goopy when it comes out of the dropper, this potent serum absorbs shortly and feels light-weight as you apply it. After utilizing it constantly for a couple of weeks, our tester with dry pores and skin seen some plumping advantages. She famous that whereas she does not have many deep wrinkles, the few fantastic strains she did have round her brow and eyes appeared to have smoothed out a bit. Her pores and skin has “a brand new life to it,” she stated, notably round her cheeks, the place she seen extra fullness and radiance. The formulation incorporates hyaluronic acid (duh), illuminating licorice root extract, purple rice extract (which helps the pores and skin higher take up hyaluronic acid), and proxylane, a proprietary ingredient that hydrates, plumps, and boosts the pores and skin’s elasticity.
Julie, tester with dry pores and skin: “As soon as I began utilizing this serum, my pores and skin began to enhance virtually instantly. A few week into the take a look at, my husband touched my face and was like, ‘Wow, your pores and skin is so tender.’ As time went on, my pores and skin obtained even softer.”
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Testers famous pores and skin had a glass-like end after use
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Comprises a number of molecular weights of hyaluronic acid
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Watery texture designed to penetrate the pores and skin higher
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, purslane | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 0.33, 1 oz
A longtime favourite of Byrdie editors and testers, this hyaluronic acid serum is one we constantly advocate. The formulation incorporates a proprietary mix of a number of molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for a short-term plumping impact and long-term hydration. Plus, the model says it’s been examined and confirmed to have the optimum focus and viscosity to penetrate the pores and skin, which our tester, Lauren, appreciated throughout utility. She famous that the watery consistency glided throughout her pores and skin easily and left her with a glass-like end. The addition of purslane (an antioxidant excessive in fatty acids and nutritional vitamins A, C, and E) reduces pores and skin irritation and promotes a relaxed, even-toned, and glowy look.
Lauren, tester with delicate pores and skin: “There was a interval early in testing after I was due for a Botox appointment. In fact, no serum or product may be in comparison with Botox, however proper after I utilized this serum, it helped fill in among the fantastic strains on my brow and made my pores and skin seem smoother.”
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1 oz
When you will have delicate pores and skin susceptible to redness, it’s sensible to go for merchandise with easy, light substances, like this serum from Kiehl’s. Formulated with simply seven substances, together with potent hyaluronic acid, it helps retain moisture for healthy-looking pores and skin. Our tester, whose pores and skin is susceptible to redness, loved how refreshing the serum felt on her pores and skin. It felt light-weight upon utility and by no means irritated her or induced extra redness; it really helped to visibly even her pores and skin tone. Her solely criticism is that it typically pilled beneath make-up or moisturizer. Our tip: Give the serum a couple of minutes to totally dry earlier than layering on different merchandise.
Chrissy, tester with dry, redness-prone pores and skin: “The most important enchancment I’ve seen after testing this product is that the look of my redness is so significantly better. I will skip make-up and never really feel as uncomfortable. There’s additionally much less dryness, and wrinkles are much less apparent—my face is smoothed out.”
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Quick plumping impact on fantastic strains and dryness
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Noticeable impact on pores and skin hydration ranges
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Addition of amino acids and ceramides provides to impression
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, amino acid complicated, ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 0.67 oz
We received’t lie, this formulation is the thickest of the bunch (so it is probably not the very best for very oily pores and skin varieties), however it plumps pores and skin on contact. When you get previous the feel and the way in which it feels on the pores and skin for the primary couple of minutes, we promise you’ll like it. Our tester with mixture pores and skin definitely did; she defined that her pores and skin was noticeably extra hydrated, plump, and moisturized after every use. It additionally addressed dryness and dullness in her pores and skin tone with the assistance of a proprietary amino acid complicated and ceramides.
Toral, tester with mixture pores and skin: “My pores and skin positively felt extra hydrated after constantly utilizing this product. My fantastic strains (which have a tendency to look extra when my pores and skin is dry) improved and appeared to look plumper.”
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Mild formulation
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Immediately hydrates
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Price range-friendly
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, B5, ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: All, particularly dry | Dimension: 1 oz
Loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (often known as panthenol), and ceramides, this serum helps bind moisture to the pores and skin’s floor, offering it with a rush of hydration. It’s nice for hyaluronic acid inexperienced persons as a result of it’s filled with hydrating substances however doesn’t comprise extra actives; so you’ll be able to actually see how your pores and skin does with hyaluronic acid. Whereas anybody can use it and see outcomes, that is particularly nice for these combating a broken pores and skin barrier or these wanting to deal with fantastic strains and wrinkles. Don’t consider us? Our tester, Samantha, seen a couple of creases round her nostril and mouth previous to utilizing this serum, and after weeks of making use of it every day, the strains softened, and her pores and skin seems smoother and younger.
Samantha, tester with mixture pores and skin: “I maintain getting compliments on my pores and skin—particularly the feel—which is big for me since dewy and radiant usually are not phrases I might have beforehand used to explain my pores and skin. I additionally like that I can apply make-up straight after making use of. It doesn’t make me really feel sticky or cheesy; it goes on easily and sinks into the pores and skin properly.”
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, plant extracts | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 0.5 oz
Though hyaluronic acid is mostly nice for dry pores and skin, some formulation are extra hydrating than others. Throughout testing, we discovered this one to be tremendous efficient at enhancing dryness. The applying course of was tremendous straightforward and fast. Our tester famous that the serum immediately absorbed into her pores and skin with out having to attend for it to dry. Plus, the second it was on, she could not really feel it sitting on her pores and skin—she was very impressed. It immediately improved her dryness and made her pores and skin really feel softer. As for pilling, it is just about nonexistent with this product, so those that put on make-up typically will like to listen to that.
Lauren, tester with mixture pores and skin and a few very dry patches: “As soon as I began utilizing the serum often, my pores and skin started feeling softer. I will probably be including hyaluronic acid into my routine going ahead due to how good my pores and skin felt whereas utilizing it.”
Key Components: HydraFence, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: Dry, mixture | Dimension: 1 oz
Our pores and skin loses moisture and elasticity as we age, making it crucial to include hydrating skincare merchandise, like this serum from Peter Thomas Roth, into our magnificence routines. Our tester with dry, mature pores and skin seen that when she utilized the serum to moist pores and skin, it felt barely sticky; nevertheless, it dissipated because it soaked in (which took about 30 seconds). As soon as it did sink in, it made an actual enchancment in her pores and skin’s hydration. She famous that if she skipped the serum or forgot to use it, her pores and skin was noticeably drier with out it.
Cathie, tester with dry, getting older pores and skin: “After the eight weeks, my pores and skin was softer. A few of my deeper wrinkles pale—particularly on my cheekbone and beneath my eyes. I do not use a ton of make-up, however I seen powder merchandise went on smoother and blended in properly.”
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, night primrose extract, cucumber extract, watermelon extract, ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: Mature, dry | Dimension: 1 oz
When you will have oily pores and skin, you need your serums and moisturizers to be hydrating with out feeling heavy or contributing to extra oil; this one did simply that. So far as utility goes, our tester famous that the serum feels barely cheesy at first however absorbs in a couple of minute. As soon as it sinks into pores, it feels prefer it’s sealing in moisture, she defined, with out feeling heavy or oily, even in heat, humid climate (making this exceptionally nice for these with oily pores and skin). This formulation incorporates a number of plant-based extracts—night primrose extract, cucumber extract, and watermelon extract—every of which helps to appease the pores and skin whereas the hyaluronic acid hydrates.
Kate, tester with acne-prone pores and skin and some fantastic strains: “I’ve some discoloration from zits and a few wrinkles, however this formulation made my pores and skin seem extra luminous and balanced. At one level, my companion requested me if I used to be utilizing something completely different on my pores and skin as a result of she thought my complexion was glowing.”
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Creates easy, bouncy base for make-up
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Light-weight, skinny serum absorbs shortly
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Bottle prevents contamination
Key Components: Hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5, pineapple ceramides | Pores and skin Sort: All | Dimension: 1.69 oz
Whereas it wasn’t our favourite long-term, we loved the every day flood of hydration. The skinny, watery formulation absorbs in seconds and instantly plumps and hydrates the pores and skin, making a superbly easy base for make-up like basis and concealer. It additionally works properly with different serums and lotions, do you have to resolve to maintain your pores and skin naked. The packaging is nice, our tester defined, citing that it retains the product free from contamination (not like different serums on this record that require you to dip a dropper out and in of a bottle).
Aamina, tester with oily pores and skin: “It did enhance the rapid look of my pores and skin, so it really works nice as pores and skin prep for make-up. Nevertheless, there was no enchancment over time—my pores and skin stayed the identical, roughly.”
The way to Select the Finest Hyaluronic Acid Serum for You
- Take into account Your Pores and skin Sort: Though hyaluronic acid works for all pores and skin varieties, board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, M.D., recommends contemplating your pores and skin kind to search out the very best product in your wants. For instance, when you have oily pores and skin, search for a water-based product. You probably have dry pores and skin, she suggests attempting an oil- or cream-based serum for optimum hydration.
- Perceive the Hyaluronic Acid Focus: Search for a serum with an honest focus of hyaluronic acid—someplace round 1-2% is right. Hyaluronic acid has a couple of molecular weights, and completely different weights penetrate completely different pores and skin layers. We advocate searching for a formulation that has a mix of low, medium, and excessive molecular weight hyaluronic acid for optimum hydration (and to cowl all of your bases).
- Search for Further Components: Since serums are a wonderful car for delivering a excessive focus of an lively ingredient into the pores and skin, it’s possible you’ll need to search for a hyaluronic acid serum that additionally incorporates different substances. Dr. Greenfield notes that hyaluronic acid works notably properly with vitamin C and vitamin B5, amongst different antioxidants. Simply be cautious of alcohol, which may typically be added to skincare to stabilize or protect the formulation. Dr. Greenfield recommends avoiding it as a lot as doable, citing that it could possibly dry your pores and skin quite than hydrate it. Verify the ingredient record of a product to make sure it doesn’t comprise excessive quantities of alcohol.
How We Examined Hyaluronic Acid Serums
We consider in utilizing the merchandise we advocate similar to you’d, which is why we make it a precedence to check merchandise in real-life settings and in our NYC-based lab.
- Hyaluronic Acid Serums Examined: 34
- Testing Interval: 3 years (and counting!)
- Methodology: Hyaluronic acid serums have been examined at dwelling in our actual lives. Every serum was examined throughout quite a lot of pores and skin varieties and tones.
- Elements Thought-about: Absorption, pores and skin texture enchancment, serum consistency, total hydration, plumpness, and look earlier than and after each rapid and long-term use.
Meet the Skilled
We consulted with two board-certified dermatologists to be taught extra about what to know when purchasing for a hyaluronic acid serum.
- Dr. Claire Wolinsky, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York. She focuses on facial rejuvenation.
- Dr. Nava Greenfield, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Girls’s Dermatologic Society, and extra.
Why Belief Byrdie
Byrdie affiliate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn is an skilled author, editor, and product tester with a love for skincare. She believes hyaluronic acid lays the inspiration for any skincare routine, no matter your pores and skin kind. As somebody with delicate, acne-prone pores and skin, she is aware of the significance of protecting the pores and skin barrier balanced and hydrated for optimum well being. For this story, she relied on her personal experience in addition to in-depth tester insights and steering from two consultants.
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a commerce magnificence author specializing in skincare. For this story, she interviewed two dermatologists for product suggestions and perception into formulations.
In accordance with our Variety Pledge, 15% of merchandise in our newly-published market roundups will function Black-owned and/or Black-founded manufacturers. On the time of publishing, we weren’t capable of finding sufficient hyaluronic acid serums from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded enterprise to fulfill this proportion. If you understand of 1 we should always think about, please electronic mail us at contact@byrdie.com, and we’ll consider the product ASAP.