9 Beauty Editor-Approved Hyaluronic Acid Products for Plump, Juicy Skin
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Everyone always talks about dry 'winter skin', but can anyone else relate to experiencing dull, dehydrated, dry skin all year round?
It's for this reason my parched skin and I were pretty bloody stoked when we were asked to road-test five new (and new to me) hyaluronic acid skincare products.
For anyone unacquainted with hyaluronic acid benefits, hyaluronic acid for skin promises to be a superhero hydrating ingredient.
But what is hyaluronic acid, what does hyaluronic acid do for skin, and is it *really* as magical as it appears?
Oh, and can you use hyaluronic acid every day? And is that $13 The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum any good? So many questions!
Keep scrolling for your ultimate hyaluronic acid guide, plus my reviews of the best hyaluronic acid skincare products to add to cart ASAP.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Despite its name, hyaluronic acid is not actually an acid.
As chemistry PhD and beauty myth buster Dr Michelle Wong (Lab Muffin Beauty Science) explains on Adore's Skincare School podcast, hyaluronic acid is made up of sugar molecules joined together in a long chain.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our skin. Together with collagen and elastin, it helps keep the skin looking plump and healthy.
The catch? Our bodies produce less and less hyaluronic acid as we age, resulting in a loss of skin firmness and hydration.
What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do for Skin?
You’ve likely heard about hyaluronic acid’s super duper hydrating powers.
That's because in skin care, hyaluronic acid works as a 'humectant' or 'water-loving' ingredient.
Just like a sponge, hyaluronic acid is really good at attracting and holding onto moisture in the upper layers of the skin.
This is why skin looks and feels instantly softer and more hydrated after applying a hyaluronic acid serum.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits.
Hyaluronic acid skincare products - primarily hyaluronic acid serums - are some of the most popular on the market. Some benefits include:
- Boosting the skin's moisture content.
- Hydrating dry, dull and dehydrated skin.
- Keeping skin looking soft, hydrated and plump.
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by plumping the surface layers of the skin.
- Delivering short-term visible results almost immediately.
- This cool hyaluronic acid study showed participants saw more lasting results of increased skin hydration and skin firmness after eight weeks of use.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid.
"One of the best ways to use hyaluronic acid is by applying your serum on damp skin," Dr Michelle explains.
This is because hyaluronic acid works by drawing in moisture from the environment, so applying your hyaluronic acid skincare products on damp skin provides more water for it to grab on to.
However, it’s not necessary to do it this way. Dr Michelle suggests applying your hyaluronic acid serum on both damp and dry skin, and seeing what works best for your skin.
When to Use Hyaluronic Acid & How Often Should You Use It?
Can you use hyaluronic acid every day?
Unlike other skincare acids like glycolic acid, you can use hyaluronic acid skin care every day without any risk of overdoing it or irritating your skin.
Personally, I like to apply my hyaluronic acid serum in the morning after my vitamin C serum, followed by sunscreen.
While hyaluronic acid is a great hydrating ingredient, we can’t let it do all the heavy lifting, so make sure you still follow up with your moisturiser.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Products.
Now for the fun part!
Even though hyaluronic acid serums are super popular, there are a lot of different hyaluronic acid products you can try to incorporate it into your skincare routine.
If you're looking to fix dull, dehydrated skin ASAP, here are some new (and new to me) products the AB team have been loving lately.
1. Viviology Niacinamide + HA Serum.
Fast Facts:
- A hydrating serum that contains a triple-hyaluronic acid complex, with niacinamide and panthenol.
- Other key ingredients include resveratrol, bilberry extract, native Australian emu apple extract and peptides.
- Can be used everyday to help skin become more plump and firm.
- Helps to brighten uneven skin tones and lift dull complexions.
- Offers antioxidant protection and helps to maintain skins natural oils.
- The bottle is made with minimum 30% recycled plastic. It's also vegan and cruelty free.
Why it's so good:
"If this serum was a character, it'd be Miss Congeniality because it gets along with everyone. The does-all hydrating, brightening, skin barrier-strengthening serum can be applied day and night" says Amy Clark.
Dermal therapist Joanna Fleming also likes this one a lot and uses it on her friends when doing dermal therapy treatments.
"It gives me glow, feels soothing and layers well with my other skincare products."
2. LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum.
Fast Facts:
- Enriched with Beta Glucan, Peptides, Blue Hyaluronic Acid™, Squalane and Green-Tea derived probiotics
- Suitable for dry, dull skin
- Supports the moisture barrier
Why it's so good:
Fellow AB Beauty Editor Fran gave this serum a whirl, you can read her full review here.
The short - "It's brimming with the brands signature blue hyaluronic acid - a patented ingredient for micro-sized delivery, meaning faster penetration and deeper hydration. It's made by fermenting deep sea algae and undergoing a 10-step microfiltration process, resulting in molecules 2,000 times smaller than traditional hyaluronic acid. Impressive stuff.
The formula is further bolstered with a concoction of powerful botanicals, like green tea and quinoa, to help soothe and nourish.
What I love about this serum is how lightweight and fast-absorbing it is. Its silky, gel-like texture seeps into the skin for immediate smoothness and plumping."
4. Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist.
Fast Facts:
- A cooling mist that actively hydrates and locks moisture at the skin's surface for long-lasting moisture.
- Contains four types of hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights for plumper and more supple skin.
- Infused with ceramides, rose water and panthenol.
- Suited to all skin types, particularly those with dehydrated skin.
Why it's so good:
Mists are so handy to have on hand.
I love using this one in the afternoon when my skin is looking tired and needs a quick hydration boost.
Or at night in winter right after cleansing and before applying on my serums.
I love that I'm getting both hydration and moisture out of this mist.
You can also spritz it throughout the day for a refreshing pick me up!
5. Hada Labo Lotion No.1 Super Hydrator.
Fast Facts:
- A lotion-in-essence product that aims to hydrate even the driest of skin.
- Formulated with Hada Labo Tokyo’s iconic Super Hylauronic Acid™ that combines three types of hyaluronic acid molecules with different molecular weights.
- Floods skin with essential moisture to banish dehydration.
- Leaves skin feeling healthy, hydrated, refreshed and replenished.
Why it's so good:
One of these best-selling lotions sells every two seconds in Japan.
Yep. You read that right.
Amy described this lotion as "basically a big drink of water for your thirsty face" in her Hada Labo review article.
The watery lotion left her skin feeling soft, supple and springy!
Plus, there's no scent, no stinging or irritation and at $36 for a 150ml bottle, I'd say that's a must-have hyaluronic acid product.
6. Cosmedix Skin Thirst Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid Cream.
Fast Facts:
- A cosmeceutical gel-to-cream moisturiser packed with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration.
- Contains sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which is renowned for helping the skin hold onto moisture and boost hydration.
- Has a mattifying finish that blurs the appearance of fine lines and pores under makeup.
- Is cruelty, artificial fragrance, sulphate, mineral oil and paraben free.
Why it's so good:
Slotting a hyaluronic acid moisturiser into your routine is the perfect way to seal in all your other HA products while also getting an extra dose of hydration and moisture.
Dermal clinician and Beauty IQ writer Yads did a whole review on this Cosmedix Skin Thirst moisturiser that she found deeply hydrating.
"It starts as a light gel, but once you rub it in, it sinks into the skin and turns into a velvety, demi-matte cream that feels super hydrating."
7 . The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum.
Fast Facts:
- An alcohol free, cruelty-free and mineral oil-free hydrating serum with no scent.
- Benefits of The Ordinary hyaluronic acid include instant hydration, skin softness and a plumper appearance.
- Contains sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid), humectant ingredient glycerin and soothing vitamin B5 (panthenol).
- One of The Ordinary hyaluronic acid benefits people love the most is the affordable price tag.
Why it's so good:
This isn't a new product, but you really can't go wrong with this hydrating serum. It's a global bestseller, with one bottle sold every few minutes.
A hydration powerhouse, the cult-serum combines low, medium, and high molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate multiple layers of the skin. This multi-molecular weight technology sets it apart from other hyaluronic acid serums, which typically only hydrate at one skin depth.
The impressive technology is paired with Vitamin B5 to further enhance surface hydration, soothe, and support the skin barrier. The serum boasts a skin-friendly pH of 6.5–7.5 which makes it compatible to use with most products, including acids and retinoids - with no irritation!
8. COSRX Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule.
Fast Facts:
- A hyaluronic acid ampule (a type of serum common in Korean skin care).
- Contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol.
- Aims to improve the appearance of dull skin while also working to help with dehydration and skin elasticity.
- Cruelty, sulphate and alcohol-free.
Why it's so good:
Right away, this product has a nice, lightweight texture that sinks into the skin instantly.
The dropper only releases a small amount of serum, but that’s all you need because of the concentrated formula. You're definitely getting bang for your buck with this hyaluronic acid serum
I saw a subtle but immediate dewiness, and my face felt much softer. I used this one in the morning under my sunscreen and still noticed that hint of dewiness coming through an hour later.
9. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Wrinkle Serum.
Fast Facts:
- Deeply hydrates skin for long lasting plump.
- Shows 47% reduction in wrinkles after 6 weeks.
Why it's so good:
I'd liken the silky serum to a glass of water for your skin, helping to plump up those fine lines and boost hydration. The formula is supercharged with a potent blend of three types of pure hyaluronic acid.
The magic here is in the Micro-Epidermic Hyaluronic Acid (yes, it sounds fancy, and trust me, it is).
This ingredient is 50 times smaller than regular hyaluronic acid, allowing it to penetrate deeper layers of the skin to target signs of ageing (like wrinkles) from within.
It's a dense gloopy texture, that absorbs quickly into the skin (there's an immediate cooling effect) that dries down to a silky, slightly-tacky finish. It's the perfect prep for underneath makeup.
I've been road-testing this high-performer for the last 2 weeks - my skin feels firmer, smoother, and is overall dewier.
If you’re looking to step up your skincare game and seriously hydrate your skin, this is the serum you didn’t know you needed. A total win.
Who Is Hyaluronic Acid Best For?
Everyone can use hyaluronic acid. It's suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid is especially good for anyone with dehydrated skin (a temporary skin condition where skin lacks water).
But even normal, dry, oily and combination skin types can use hyaluronic acid, because it can help with transepidermal water loss and an impaired skin barrier.
Are There Any Drawbacks of Hyaluronic Acid?
- Larger-sized hyaluronic acid molecules can't penetrate into the skin as deeply as smaller molecular weights.
- Hyaluronic acid may not be as useful in cleansers as it’s water soluble, so it washes off.
- Some affordable hyaluronic acid serums leave skin feeling sticky or tacky. More expensive formulas often have silkier textures.
When looking for a hyaluronic acid serum, Dr Michele says:
"If you want hydration, something that has a bunch of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid is best."
"You may see it listed under different names like sodium hyaluronate, which means its been broken up into smaller chains."
You can learn more about hyaluronic acid and how to use it in this YouTube video below. After all who doesn't want hydrated, plump skin.
What Other Ingredients Does Hyaluronic Acid Work Best With?
Hyaluronic acid is basically Miss Congeniality, because it works well with most common skincare ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are great when applied together in the morning. Vitamin B3 or niacinamide and hyaluronic acid also pair really well to support the skin's barrier.
You'll also often find hyaluronic acid formulated with other moisturising ingredients like glycerin and ceramides.
We recommend the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense and the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum for pairing with other ingredients.
And there you have it, your guide to hydrated and plump skin!
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