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

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.

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.

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.

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. At such a good price, it would be rude not to give it a go.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”