Dermatologists Are Hard to Impress, But They Swear By This Glow-Boosting Ingredient

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Best Overall Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I'm willing to say it, Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic might be my favourite serum ever. There, I said it. The lightweight gel-serum texture instantly sinks into the skin with so much skin-quenching hydration that it ought to be illegal. When I use this consistently, I notice how plumped and hydrated my skin is, and I really do notice a difference when I stop using it. My dehydration lines return, and my skin lacks lustre and bounce. For that reason, I always make sure I have a backup. It contains three weights of hyaluronic acid (which reach different levels of the skin) for maximum hydration. Plus, it has the addition of peptides, making it great for plumping fine lines and wrinkles. Just trust me on this one and buy a bottle.

Customer Review: "My skin before using this had scars from acne/spots. I have noticed a huge improvement with my scarring; they have slowly faded, and some have gone completely. My skin feels really soft, and it appears bright too. I have a much better, even complexion."

Best Luxury Hyaluronic Acid Serum

You don't have to spend tonnes on a good hyaluronic acid serum, but if you want to invest in a luxury formula, my pick will always, always be Dr Barbara Sturm's. The Hyaluronic Acid Serum counts Hailey Bieber as a fan, and I'm co-signing it too—it's really good. It contains three different weights of hyaluronic acid, which helps to instantly hydrate the surface levels of your skin while also reaching the deeper levels for long-term hydration. It sinks in quickly, making it great before makeup or as part of your evening routine, and it leaves skin looking plumped, elastic and bouncy. Plus, it's been clinically proven to reduce fine lines around the eyes and the mouth, so you know this stuff really works.

Customer Review: "I have been using the hyaluronic serum for a few years now. I apply it every morning before applying my moisturiser. It is fresh, light and penetrates immediately. It makes my skin look better (more plump), so I am really happy with this serum."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Brightening

Want hydration and a radiant glow? I've got you. Templespa's Let's Concentrate Skin Glowing Serum does exactly what it says on the bottle. Think of it as a citrusy, vitamin-enriched electrolyte drink for your skin that replenishes moisture deep into the skin while also delivering a shot of brightening vitamin C and skin-repairing zinc. It also contains alpha arbutin, which is a one-way ticket to fading pigmentation and scarring. After just a few weeks, you'll notice that your complexion looks bouncier, more even-toned and glowing. And the data backs it up. In independent trials, 90% said that their skin looks smoother, brighter and more radiant. I'll take two, please.

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Sensitive Skin

I'm prone to skin sensitivity, and I always return to this gentle yet skin-quenching hyaluronic acid serum when my skin barrier feels compromised or I've overdone active ingredients like retinols or exfoliating acids. The hypoallergenic formula is approved by the British Skin Foundation, so if you have sensitive skin, your complexion is very likely to agree with it. It contains just 11 ingredients, and water, hyaluronic acid and glycerin make up the majority of them for a hydrating and soothing formula that won't upset inflamed or irritated skin. The gel texture is very cooling and soothing, yet sinks in quickly, making it great for layering with other skincare products or as a base for makeup.

Customer Review: "One of my skincare staples, I've been using it for years... such a good base for every other product (skincare or makeup) I will recommend it to everybody."

Best Affordable Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum is one of the most affordable serums that beauty editors have long recommended, and it's become a bit of a TikTok sensation too. The fact that it costs under £10 is a big appeal, of course, but reviewers say that it even rivals some of the more expensive hyaluronic acid serums they have tried. Containing five forms of hyaluronic acid, it helps to instantly hydrate and plump while boosting skin suppleness over time, and the addition of ceramides helps to restore compromised skin. You'll also find vitamin B5 in the formula to help boost elasticity and address fine lines. For just £9 for 30ml of product, it would be rude not to give it a go.

Customer Review: "I alternate this with a more high-end brand, and I find this is very similar in consistency and results—such a good serum for a fairly low price! Have used this for over a year now."

Best Plumping Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I wholeheartedly trust any SkinCeuticals product, and this one is really, really good. You'll often find this in clinics, and it has been designed to complement injectables to boost the plumping effects of filler. The serum texture has a thicker consistency than others, and you can really see and feel a noticeable difference in the skin after using it—think of dropping a raisin into a glass of water and watching it plump out. Incredibly, it has been found to increase the skin's hyaluronic acid by 30%, making it ideal for plumping crow's feet, fine lines and wrinkles and marionette lines around the mouth. SkinCeuticals even recommends applying it over the lips to enjoy the plumping effects there too.

Customer Review: "Wasn't sure whether this would live up to the price tag, but it has brightened my skin and helped improve fine wrinkles. Much happier spending money on this than on Botox etc. I'm on my 4th bottle. It lasts at least 2 months. I use it in the evenings."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Dry Skin

Those with dry skin need all the hydration they can get. While a good hyaluronic acid serum is a great place to start, you'll want to choose one with other nourishing ingredients to support it. This CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an excellent choice. Firstly, the serum has a creamier consistency that offers immediate relief to dry or tight skin. But, it also has a strong concentration of hyaluronic acid plus CeraVe's mix of three ceramides to restore the skin barrier and soothe dryness and irritation. It's also fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin, and a bargain at under £25.

Customer Review: "I have dehydrated acne-prone skin. When I’ve tried other hyaluronic acid products, they haven’t really helped my skin that much, but after trying the CeraVe cream to foam cleanser and loving it so much, I thought I’d give this a go when it was launched, and my gosh, it’s transformed my skin!!!! I don’t have that dehydrated feeling anymore, it makes my skin feel so soft underneath my usual moisturiser, and makeup goes on a dream too. I would 100% recommend this product to anyone."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Oily Skin

Those with oily skin or acne-prone complexions, allow me to introduce you to The Inkey List's Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which is the brand's best seller for a reason. Reviewers can't recommend it enough, and I can attest that the hype is justified. The serum immediately sinks in without a tacky residue, and the featherlight formula means that it won't clog pores either. It instantly hydrates without making the skin feel greasy, so it makes for great makeup prep too, as well as nicely complementing any other active products to treat oiliness or blemishes.

Customer Review: "Love the hyaluronic acid serum. Even better in supersize. I use this twice a day after salicylic cleanser. My skin is the clearest it has been in months. Cannot recommend enough. Love The Inkey List products."

Best Dermatologist-Recommended Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I've visited many dermatologists (both through interviewing them as part of my job as a beauty editor, and as a patient when my skin has flared up with eczema and acne), and the one brand they recommend time and time again? La Roche-Posay. French pharmacy brands are always a trustworthy choice, and this La Roche-Posay hyaluronic acid serum is no exception. If you've noticed your skin looking dehydrated, dry or not quite as bouncy as normal, you'll like this expert formula of hydrating hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and madecassoside, an ingredient that helps to encourage collagen production for elastic skin once more. It's a little more expensive than other drugstore brands, but I know this is one product I can really trust to work.

Customer Review: "This serum really helped my dehydrated skin. I use it twice a day and noticed fast results. My skin went from flaky and dry and tight to comfortably rebalanced within just one week. I also love how plump and bouncy it makes my skin look. Only a little bit is needed, which makes the product very efficient."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Acne-Prone Skin

When you have acne, throwing harsh products at your skin every day is actually counterintuitive. Hyaluronic acid can be a great complement to skincare actives and acne treatments as it helps to soothe and hydrate the skin while remaining gentle. This formula goes another step further with ingredients that support the skin's microbiome (which equals calm, happy skin) as well as ceramides to support skin barrier function. You'll also find blue tansy in this, which works as an antioxidant, and zinc and PHAs (a gentler form of its exfoliating acid cousins, BHAs and AHAs), which help to reduce oiliness, redness and keep pores clear. And for £13, it's seriously good value.

Customer Review: "This serum is very good. Recommended for young skin, it does what it promises and also, in a way, cleans the pores. For its price, I think it's super worth it and deserves the hype."

Best Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Why are molecular weights of hyaluronic acid important, I hear you ask? When a product has different weights of hyaluronic acid, it means that the hyaluronic acid molecules are of different sizes. Larger ones address the top layers of the skin, while smaller ones can dive deeper. Having a good range means that you get the benefit of surface-level hydration, as well as long-term hydration deeper down. Thankfully, this one has four kinds of hyaluronic acid to cover all bases, and it comes in at a very reasonable price point and with glowing reviews online.

Customer Review: "This hyaluronic acid serum leaves the skin feeling and looking extremely hydrated, supple and glowy. The price point is reasonable, and it does as good a job as many higher-priced hyaluronic serums. I use it in the evening and later moisturiser over, and my complexion is brighter as a result in the morning. It’s also nice under makeup as it creates a lovely glow."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for a Dewy Finish

Korean-born skincare brand Laneige has become synonymous with its iconic Lip Sleeping Mask, but I urge you to give this serum a try if you love a dewy, glass-skin glow. Plus, brand ambassador Sydney Sweeney counts herself a fan too. This serum features fermented hyaluronic acid to further boost the hydrating benefits and skin absorption, while green tea and peptides help to strengthen the skin barrier and plump at the same time.

Customer Review: "Amazing! It has definitely firmed up my skin and made it appear more glowy- I’ve only been using it for two weeks, so I would definitely recommend. The packaging is so cute, too."

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

If you want to disguise lines and wrinkles, this plumping hyaluronic acid serum does the trick nicely. Medik8 is one of my favourite in-clinic brands, and the products really do work. A great option for mature skin, it helps to plump dehydration lines (think those ones around the eyes) as well as deeper wrinkles to leave skin smoother and hydrated. An added bonus is natural moisturising factors and antioxidants that further support the skin.

Customer Review: "I have used Medik8 products for a few months, my skin is amazing and I have had compliments about how good my skin looks, it’s the first products I’ve bought that have done what it says they will and I’ve used a lot of different ones."

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Best Hyalruonic Acid Serum for the Eyes

If you require more targeted treatment around the eyes, my first recommendation would be this one. Our eyes are often the first place to show signs of dehydration, and because the skin around our eyes is thinner, it is usually the first place to show deeper wrinkles. The gel-cream texture sinks in quickly and makes a visible difference on dehydration lines and deeper-set wrinkles by plumping them out with continued use. Just look at the number of 5-star reviews.

Customer Review: "This is a repeat purchase and I’m on my 6th tube. Wonderfully hydrating. I use it both under the eye and over the lid. Lightweight. Sinks in beautifully. Must-have base for under-eye concealer."

Best Firming Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear UK contributor, Mica Ricketts swears by this hyaluronic acid serum now that she’s in her mid-30s. “For years, hyaluronic acid wasn’t a major player in my skincare routine as I tended to seek out serums that focused more on soothing breakouts or keeping oiliness at bay. However, now that I’m 35 I’ve noticed that the texture of my skin is definitely changing and it’s way less firm and bouncy than it once was. This serum from Trinny London contains hyaluronic acid for that much-needed deep hydration alongside peptides to help support collagen and elastin production. The result is skin that feels more lifted and toned, so I’m totally converted.”

Customer Review: “Does exactly what it says, gives skin a plumped up feel. . . . Skin feels softer & has increased elasticity. . . Of all the products I use, this is by far my favourite.”

Best All-Rounder

Fun fact—Estée Lauder’s iconic ANR was actually the first hyaluronic acid serum on the market, and it remains a global bestseller since it launched in the '80s. Almost every beauty editor has a bottle of this in their bathroom, but Freelance Beauty Editor Mica Ricketts thinks it deserves a spot as the best all-rounder. “I’m always hesitant about recommending more expensive skincare products, especially when it’s something like hyaluronic acid, which you can find plenty of affordable options for. However, it can’t be ignored that Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is an icon for a reason—it really does make skin look and feel incredible. Alongside the hyaluronic acid, there are peptides, vitamin E and caffeine, meaning whether you want to target dehydration, texture, or brightness, it will tick all the boxes.”

Customer Review: “I have been using this for about 6 years now. It works better than anything else I have tried for anti-ageing. I still am very prone to acne, and this doesn't break me out at all. Occasionally, I have to go without it because of the price, and I can always tell the difference. This will definitely be a product I use for life!”

Best Smoothing Hyaluronic Acid Serum

While all skin types will benefit from using a hyaluronic acid serum, dry and dehydrated complexions that tend to get a bit crepey in texture will really see results with this one from Caudalie. It uses a natural-origin hyaluronic acid produced by biotechnology, which works to smooth and hydrate the surface of the skin, and as it’s a lower-weight hyaluronic, the smaller molecules are able to penetrate easily for long-lasting plumping and smoothing.

Customer Review: “Strongly recommend this serum, your skin would be perfectly smooth and moisturised. You can see the difference after a few days of using it!”

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum for the Body

Turns out, it’s not just your face that can benefit from using hyaluronic acid—your body can too. Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear contributor Mica Ricketts swears by this fragrance-free formulation from Necessaire for bringing her dry limbs back to life post-winter. “I love a good body butter, so I was really sceptical that something as lightweight as a serum would deliver the hydration that I need on my perpetually dry limbs. However, this body serum from Necessaire has been a bit of a game-changer. It uses five molecular weights of HA to really work through every layer of the skin and imbue it with moisture, plus there are ceramides and niacinamide to strengthen the skin, reduce dry patches and even tone. The silky texture sinks in quickly, so you don’t have to hang around to get dressed—and you can even add it to your usual body lotions for an extra-hydrating boost.”

Customer Review: “I suffer from very dry skin. I use a lot of moisturising creams every day, but sometimes I hate waiting for them to absorb, and they can make my skin feel 'clogged'. This is a really nice HA product that smooths on lightly, absorbs quickly, but really does hydrate the skin. It works!”