The 7 best hyaluronic acid serums for hydration

Key takeaways

• Hyaluronic acid is a humectant: it draws water into the outer layer of skin. Serums that mix high and low molecular weights cover both the surface and slightly deeper layers.

• Our top pick is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides): five forms of hyaluronic acid plus vitamin B5 for $9.90.

• For sensitive skin, Medik8 Hydr8 B5 has a seven-ingredient, fragrance-free and alcohol-free formula.

• Apply it to damp skin and follow with a moisturizer to hold the water in.

• Hyaluronic acid is considered safe and rarely irritating, so it pairs well with most routines.

What hyaluronic acid does

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule your skin makes naturally, and it’s one of the best-known humectants in skincare. Harvard Health describes it as “a powerful humectant, a substance that attracts and traps water,” and Cleveland Clinic puts it vividly: “A quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid holds about one and a half gallons of water.”

Size matters. Harvard Health explains that higher molecular weight hyaluronic acid is better at holding water but stays on the surface, while lower molecular weights “can penetrate a bit deeper,” so it suggests looking for a serum with both. A 2011 study of 76 women tested creams containing five sizes of hyaluronic acid around the eyes for 60 days. All of them improved hydration and elasticity, but only the two smallest sizes significantly reduced wrinkle depth.

Our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin explains why a humectant works best alongside an occlusive, which is the same reason hyaluronic acid serums are meant to go under a moisturizer.

We compared each serum on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at how many forms or molecular weights of hyaluronic acid it contains, the supporting ingredients, whether fragrance or alcohol is listed, and the price.

1. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides): best overall

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) combines five forms of hyaluronic acid, including low, medium and high molecular weights, a crosspolymer and a hydrolyzed form, with vitamin B5 (panthenol) and skin-identical lipids. The Ordinary reports that lines and wrinkles looked smoothed after four weeks in clinical testing of 32 people using it twice a day.

Key features:

• Five forms of hyaluronic acid. It covers low, medium and high weights plus two modified forms.

• Vitamin B5 included. Panthenol adds extra hydration.

• No fragrance on the ingredient list. The formula can be used morning and evening.

Tradeoff: the product name mentions ceramides, but the ingredient list shows sphingolipids and phospholipids rather than a named ceramide like ceramide NP.

Best for: anyone who wants a well-rounded hyaluronic acid serum for very little money.

Price: $9.90 for 30 ml, or $17.50 for 60 ml.

2. The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum: best with peptides

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains 2% multi-molecular hyaluronic acid plus Matrixyl 3000, a peptide pairing of palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-1. The INKEY List reports that 82% of 22 people agreed their skin felt firmer, smoother and more elastic after four weeks.

Key features:

• Hyaluronic acid plus peptides. Matrixyl 3000 is one of the better-known peptide pairings.

• Fragrance-free. The INKEY List labels it fragrance-free.

• Several sizes. It comes in 30 ml, 60 ml and 100 ml bottles.

Tradeoff: The INKEY List says the blend mixes high and low molecular weights but doesn’t say how many.

Best for: people who want hydration and a peptide in one budget serum.

Price: $13 for 30 ml.

3. Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%: best high-strength pick

Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% combines four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, from very low to high, with glycerin, a vitamin C derivative (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) and vitamin E. Naturium labels it fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Four molecular weights. Naturium names very low, low, medium and high.

• 5% in the name. It’s the highest stated strength here.

• Face, neck and chest. Naturium’s directions cover all three, morning and night.

Tradeoff: Naturium doesn’t publish study figures for it on the product page.

Best for: people who want a stronger hyaluronic acid serum without a big price.

Price: $17 for 30 ml, or $31 for 60 ml.

4. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum: best with ceramides

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum pairs sodium hyaluronate with vitamin B5 and three ceramides (ceramide NP, ceramide AP and ceramide EOP) in CeraVe’s MVE delivery technology. CeraVe says it gives up to 24 hours of hydration and is made for normal to dry skin.

Key features:

• Three named ceramides. It’s the most complete ceramide blend here.

• Free of added fragrance. CeraVe labels it that way.

• Flexible. CeraVe says it can be used alone or layered under a moisturizer.

Tradeoff: it lists a single form of hyaluronic acid, where most picks here have several.

Best for: dry skin that wants hydration and ceramides in one step.

Price: $22.99 for 1 oz.

5. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: best with soothing ingredients

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum combines what the brand calls a four-hyaluronic-acid system with vitamin B5, madecassoside and adenosine. La Roche-Posay reports that 96% of 85 people agreed their skin texture looked refined in a four-week consumer test.

Key features:

• Four types of hyaluronic acid. La Roche-Posay names high, low and micro weights plus an encapsulated form.

• Madecassoside included. It’s a soothing compound from centella.

• Face, neck and chest. The directions call for three to four drops morning and evening.

Tradeoff: it contains fragrance, and denatured alcohol is the third ingredient. La Roche-Posay says it’s allergy tested and suitable for sensitive skin, but people who react to fragrance or alcohol may prefer a simpler formula.

Best for: people who want hydration plus soothing ingredients and don’t mind fragrance.

Price: $39.99 for 30 ml, or $53.99 for 50 ml.

6. Medik8 Hydr8 B5: best for sensitive skin

Medik8 Hydr8 B5 has just seven ingredients: water, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, calcium pantothenate and three preservatives and pH adjusters. Medik8 labels it fragrance-free, alcohol-free and paraben-free, and says it’s ideal for normal to sensitive skin.

Key features:

• A very short ingredient list. There’s little in it besides hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5.

• Fragrance-free and alcohol-free. Medik8 labels it both.

• Face, neck and chest. Medik8’s directions call for six drops morning and evening, before moisturizer.

Tradeoff: at $54 it’s the most expensive serum on this list, for a simple formula.

Best for: sensitive skin that reacts to longer ingredient lists.

Price: $54 for 30 ml.

7. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum: best lightweight gel

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum combines hyaluronic acid in five molecular weights with tremella mushroom, plum extracts and vitamin B5. Glow Recipe reports that 100% of 36 participants agreed their skin felt hydrated after one day.

Key features:

• Five molecular weights. Glow Recipe describes a range from ultra-low to ultra-high.

• Made for damp skin. The directions say to pat it onto slightly damp skin before moisturizer.

• A watergel texture. Glow Recipe describes it as silky, lightweight and oil-free.

Tradeoff: it contains natural fragrance, which Glow Recipe says is under 0.5% of the formula.

Best for: people who like a lightweight watergel and don’t react to fragrance.

Price: $38 for 30 ml.

How to use a hyaluronic acid serum

• Apply it to damp skin. Harvard Health suggests applying the serum to damp skin, then following with a moisturizer that contains an occlusive ingredient to seal in moisture.

• Use it after cleansing and before moisturizer. Thinner products go first, as our guide to skincare routine order explains.

• Use it morning, night or both. Most of the serums above are made for twice-daily use.

• Pair it with other ingredients. Hyaluronic acid is generally easy to layer with other serums, including niacinamide, and our list of the best niacinamide serums covers options.

• Wear sunscreen in the morning. Hydration doesn’t replace SPF.

Frequently asked questions

Does hyaluronic acid actually work?

It hydrates well, and there’s some evidence for more. Harvard Health calls it a powerful humectant, and in a 2011 study of 76 women, all five sizes tested improved hydration and elasticity, while only the two smallest (50 and 130 kDa) significantly reduced wrinkle depth.

Should hyaluronic acid go on wet or dry skin?

Damp skin is best. Harvard Health recommends applying it to damp skin and sealing it in with a moisturizer right after.

Can you use hyaluronic acid every day?

Yes. Harvard Health says it’s considered safe and unlikely to cause side effects, and most serums on this list are made for morning and evening use.

What’s the best molecular weight of hyaluronic acid?

A mix is usually best. Harvard Health suggests a serum with both high and low molecular weights, since larger molecules hold water on the surface and smaller ones can go a bit deeper.

Can hyaluronic acid dry out your skin?

There’s little clinical evidence that it does, but some brands warn it can. The INKEY List, for example, says that in dry air, skipping moisturizer can let hyaluronic acid draw water from deeper skin layers. Following it with a cream that holds the water in avoids the problem either way.