And, of course, there’s the famous factoid that hyaluronic acid can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water1: It’s referenced so much in skin care, we might as well slap the slogan on a T-shirt and send it out to the fan base. It is a humectant, so it gives an immediate improvement in the way the skin looks—less ashy, dry, dull," holistic dermatologist Cybele Fishman, M.D., told us about the beloved ingredient. In the hopes of softer, plumper, more elastic skin, many flock to HA-infused serums—and because you can find an overwhelming number of these on the market, here we’ve rounded up the very best. A quick note: On the hunt for the best hyaluronic acid serum, chances are you’ll come across some funky names, like sodium hyaluronate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid. Don’t sweat the science jargon: All “hydrolyzed” means is breaking the chemical down with water so it’s easier for your skin to absorb (regular HA has a larger molecular weight, which can make it difficult to penetrate into pores). Sodium hyaluronate, a salt form of hyaluronic acid, has an even smaller molecular weight than hydrolyzed HA, so it can really shimmy into the deep layers of your skin. But enough chemistry—let’s dive into our all-time favorite hydrators. Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Savor Beauty ($84) Hydration Station Booster With HA, Versed ($19.99) Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, Glow Recipe ($42) Back to Life Hydration Serum, Pai ($74) Sweet Rescue Bubble Burst Serum, Knours Beauty ($38) Hyaluron Serum, Susanne Kaufmann ($169) B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, Drunk Elephant ($48) Hyaluronic Acid, The Inkey List ($7.99) Hyaluronic Ampoules, Dr. Barbara Sturm ($145) Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum, Allies Of Skin ($75) Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Hyaluronate Serum, Skinfix ($50) Immersion, Klur ($70) Vinosource SOS Deep Hydration Serum, Caudalie ($49) Instant Smoothing Serum, Grown Alchemist ($95) No matter the time you apply, you’ll want to apply it on a freshly cleansed, slightly damp face. After all, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it pulls in water to hydrate your skin. By patting it on moist skin, you’re making the job a bit easier by supplying it with the water it’s looking for. “After you cleanse, you want to lock in all that watery goodness,” adds board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, M.D., about applying products on damp skin. “The humectants in your products, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, will have an easier time holding on to moisture if you’re providing it.” Then after your serum step, be sure to lock in all the precious moisture with an occlusive cream or oil.
