Sharing all about the best hyaluronic acid serums! You definitely want to know more about these serums when considering if you want to add one to your skincare routine. An ingredient that comes with claims of being able to fight signs of aging by retaining your skin’s moisture…sign me up! I have been lucky enough to test and try countless amazing serums that contain hyaluronic acid over the years and I am sharing all the best in clean beauty so you know which ones are worth it.
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Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum
My pick for best hyaluronic acid serum is the Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200. Beyond hyaluronic acid it also contains organic pomegranate extract to help with cell turnover, aloe to soothe and rosewater for a light scent. The minimal ingredients makes this a simple, yet effective serum that works for all skin types. Plus, it’s budget friendly compared to other hyaluronic acid products on the market.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is produced in the body. It can be found in not just the skin but also the eyes and even joints. As we age, along with things like elastin and collagen production, the production of hyaluronic acid decreases too. This results in some of the signs of aging that we all are trying to lessen and combat.
Hyaluronic acid is what is known as a humectant – meaning it has the ability to attract water molecules. This water can either come from deeper layers of the skin or even the environment (air). And this is what makes it so useful from a skincare standpoint is its hydrating effect on your skin.
In fact, according to Harvard, “it is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water.”
The good news is that this makes hyaluronic acid a true moisture magnet. And having that extra moisture can improve the health of your skin in so many ways!
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What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid for your skin?
Hyaluronic acid is actually a highly studied skincare ingredient compared to others. Here are just a few of the main benefits of hyaluronic acid:
- Keeps skin hydrated! Hyaluronic acid stands out amongst other ingredients in its ability to retain moisture. When improving skin hydration you are creating a plumping effect and improving the look of the skin – ultimately resulting in a more youthful appearance. This study shows some pretty amazing before and after photos showing the effect of adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine after just 6 weeks.
- Diminishes the effects aging can have on your skin. By lessening skin roughness and increasing skin elasticity hyaluronic acid helps you to age gracefully – this study showed these improvements in as little as two weeks! It is interesting to note that in this same study, they looked at the different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (size of the molecule). The smaller the molecular weight, the greater the skin was able to be penetrated by the hyaluronic acid, which ultimately resulted in better skin hydration.
- Improved skin wound healing and scar reduction. It has been used to lessen scars after surgery even!
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How can you add hyaluronic acid to your skin care routine?
You can add hyaluronic acid products to your skincare routine easily after using a toner or hydrosol while your skin is still slightly damp and before an oil, lotion or face cream. Hyaluronic acid really can complement any skincare routine because it’s such a versatile product.
When wondering how to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine you first want to see which type of hyaluronic acid product you have. Hyaluronic acid comes typically in two forms, a serum or in a moisturizer. If it’s in a serum you would want to apply it right after your toner or hydrosol to slightly damp skin, if it’s in a moisturizer you would apply it last in your skincare routine.
Hyaluronic acid is great to use in the morning and at night. I actually recommend both! It just depends on how it’s going to fit into your daily routine.
Daily use of hyaluronic acid is totally fine! Since it’s not active it has less of a chance of aggravating the skin in any way.
You do want to apply your active serums before your hyaluronic acid. For example, a Vitamin C serum or Retinol should be applied first, and then a hyaluronic acid serum. You don’t want your hyaluronic acid serums to interfere with your active serums doing their work. Hyaluronic is going to help seal in the active ingredients, as well as hydrate the skin.
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Hyaluronic acid is a great skincare ingredient to add in your 20s and beyond. It can help hydrate the skin, but also fortify the skin barrier. There is no harm in adding it in earlier if you feel like you have dehydrated skin and you are in need of some extra moisture and suppleness.
The best part about hyaluronic acid is that it pairs well with most skincare ingredients and products because it’s not an active serum. You can layer other skincare products quite well with it.
The one caution I would make is when using hyaluronic acid with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids). One common AHA is glycolic acid. Using acids and hyaluronic can be ok for most, but sometimes there can be an issue when you are using AHA and retinol or Vitamin C. These active ingredients when paired with AHAs can cause skin barrier issues in some and sensitivity. While I would say most of the time hyaluronic acid would be fine, too many products at once can cause the skin to become inflamed. It’s best to keep the AHAs separate from the active serums like retinol and Vitamin C.
Hyaluronic acid comes with little to no side effects of its own, but as with any new product or ingredient it is best to add it slowly to your skincare routine. It is even found to be safe for pregnancy.
**As always I am not a doctor, please always consult with your physician before taking on any new regimen that you are unsure of**
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10 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
OSEA Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Pros
- Smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Absorbs quickly
- It’s very concentrated and has two types of hyaluronic acid in it
- Clinical trials supporting its effectiveness
- Works synergistically with other skincare products
Cons
- It’s pricey compared to other hyaluronic acid serums
Key Ingredients
- Japanese Miru Seaweed– Helps to add moisture to the skin and balance it as well.
- Snow Mushroom– This forms a layer of hydration on the skin which helps to seal in moisture.
- Volcanic Marine Ferment– This helps to smooth and plump the look of fine lines.
- 2x Hyaluronic Acid– This has twice the amount of low and high molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. This helps to add fullness and firmness to the skin.
Skin Types It’s Best For
It’s really great for all skin types! This is not only full of hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin, but it also has some great anti-aging benefits in it as well.
Cost
$88. It is on the pricier side when it comes to hyaluronic acid serums but it’s also power-packed! Many hyaluronic acid serums don’t offer as many actives with the hyaluronic acid as OSEA does.
Use code gurlgonegreen10 to save 10% off your order!
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One Love Organics Love + Rose Hydrating Serum
Pros
- Weightless hydration
- Feels like a lotion/serum but not greasy
- Fills in fine lines and wrinkles
- Helps protect skin from environmental damage
- Acts as a primer before makeup
Cons
- Pricey $$$
- It feels a little heavier than a traditional hyaluronic acid serum- not a bad thing but not everyone may love the heavier feel compared to a traditional hyaluronic serum.
Key Ingredients
- Rose Extract– Anti-blue light and anti-pollutant ingredient.
- Aloe Vera – giving skin a hydration boost
- High Molecular Hyaluronic Acid– This helps to really boost the overall hydration levels.
Skin Types It’s Best For
This particular hyaluronic acid serum is geared more toward dry skin in my opinion. It can be a little heavier, not crazy heavy but enough that oily skin types might not be a fan. I love it for drier skin and even normal skin types. It’s also great for sensitive skin.
Cost
$78. Pricey but I do think it serves as a moisturizer and primer too, so it can be considered a dual product as well.
Josh Rosebrook Hydration Boost Concentrate
Pros
- Oil free formula
- Does many things beside just hydrate the skin. From exfoliate, brighten, and improve skin’s texture
- Little goes a long way
Cons
- Packaging- it easily can spill out if tilted the wrong way
- Pricey for what you get. $65
Key Ingredients
- Cassia Angustifolia/Indian Senna Seed Extract- This is the hyaluronic acid in the formula and helps to increase hydration by binding water to the cells.
- Horse chestnut– It’s an antioxidant, promotes the body’s hyaluronic acid as well as protecting it.
- Hibiscus Flower Acid– Helps to renew skin, exfoliate, helps with firmness and elasticity and skin barrier function.
Skin Types It’s Best For
Great for all skin types, especially sensitive, rosacea and acne skin types.
Cost
$65 for 1 oz.
Live Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Only 4 ingredients
- Great for sensitive skin
- Not greasy at all, really hydrates well
- Pairs well with other skincare products because of the minimal ingredients
Cons
There really aren’t any cons to the Live Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum in my opinion- it really checks all the marks!
Key Ingredients
- Aloe– This really helps soothe inflammation and congestion and clear the skin
- Green Tea– This also helps to soothe inflammation in the skin and congestion and clear the skin too.
- Sodium Hyaluronate- Is a lab derived hyaluronic acid that is created from plant-based material using fermentation. This is more sustainable and vegan-friendly.
Skin Types It’s Best For
Oily to combination skin types. However, you can use it if you have dry skin, my recommendation would be to add a few drops of your favorite oil with it to make sure your skin is properly hydrated.
Cost
$38- for 1.7 oz. a steal – plus use code GURLGONEGREEN for an extra 20% off!
Indie Lee Stem Cell Serum
Pros
- Does multiple things for the skin from hydrate, to fight fine lines and wrinkles to rejuvenate lackluster skin.
- Gives skin a glow
- More hydrating than most hyaluronic serums
- Oil free formula
Cons
- Very pricey
- Small bottle for the price
Key Ingredients
- Echinacea Stem Cells– These help to target firmness, texture and smoothness of skin
- Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract– This helps to target fine lines and wrinkles
- Sodium Hyaluronate– Gives skin moisture
Skin Types It’s Best For
All skin types.
Cost
$135 for 1 oz.
Pai Back To Life Hydration Serum
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Highly moisturizing
- Brings dull skin back to life
- Feels weightless but adds a good dose of moisture without feeling greasy.
Cons
- Pricey for 1 ounces
- Does have oils in it, not a true serum
Key Ingredients
- Jojoba oil– offers smoothness and hydration to the skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid– Gives skin moisture and helps to hold water in
- Kunzea Pomifera fruit extract– Antioxidant rich berries help support moisture barrier
Skin Types It’s Best For
Sensitive, irritated and dry skin types.
Cost
$74 for 1 ounce
Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200
Pros
- Minimal ingredients
- More budget friendly
- Really hydrates the driest skin types
- Nice light fragrance
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a ton of other benefits besides hydration
Key Ingredients
- Aloe– Helps soothe and calm inflammation
- Sodium Hyaluronate– Gives moisture to the skin
- Organic Pomegranate Extract– This helps to aid in cell turnover
Skin Types It’s Best For
All skin types.
Cost
$46 for 1 ounce
InstaNatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Pros
- Budget Friendly(least expensive)
- Hydrates but also plumps skin
- Easy to find- you can get it on Amazon
- Layers well under other products
Cons
- Does have Vitamin C in it as well, so could be irritating to some skin types
Key Ingredients
- Aloe– Helps to add hydration and soothe inflammation
- Vitamin C– Helps to brighten and firm the skin
- Hyaluronic Acid– Deeply hydrates the skin while plumping fine lines and wrinkles
Skin Types It’s Best For
All skin types.
Cost
$18.95 for 2 ounces
Herbivore Cloud Jelly Pink Plumping Hydration Serum
Pros
- Uses hyaluronic acid alternatives to deliver hydration like tremella mushroom
- Non Sticky formula
- Lightweight formula
- Targets dryness and dullness
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as some hyaluronic acid serums
Active Ingredients
- Tremella Mushroom– This is a hylauronic acid alternative and a vegan collagen that plumps the skin and hydrates it.
- Strawberry Extract– Rich in Vitamin C, Beta Carotene and Polyphenolics
Skin Types It’s Best For
All skin types.
Cost
$50 for 1 oz.
Twelve Beauty Ideal Moisture Level Serum
Pros
- Very nourishing and hydrating for dry and mature skin
- Absorbs easily into the skin
- Skin feels plumped after application
Cons
- Harder to find product than the others mentioned
Key Ingredients
- Saccharide Isomerate– derived from plants and is similar to the carbohydrates you would find on the skin.
- Sodium Hyaluronate– hydrates skin and attracts water to the skin.
- Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract– helps to soothe and moisturize skin.
Skin Types It’s Best For
Normal to dry skin types.
Cost
$68
Hyaluronic Acid Serum FAQ’s
Is it safe to use hyaluronic acid everyday?
Yes, hyaluronic acid is generally safe for daily use and in fact I recommend it! It’s a gentle and hydrating ingredient that works well for most skin types. However, as with any skincare product, it’s important to pay attention to how your skin reacts. If you have more sensitive skin, you can start with using it less often and then increase frequency of use if your skin tolerates it.
Can you use hyaluronic acid serums under makeup?
Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid serums are lightweight and will absorb quickly into the skin, making them a great option to use under makeup and in your skincare routine. These serums will provide a smooth and hydrated canvas, helping your makeup look even better as it will minimize any settling into fine lines or dry patches.
How long does it take to see results from using a hyaluronic acid serum?
Results from using a hyaluronic acid serum can vary depending on factors like the product’s concentration and molecular weight, your skin type, and your overall skincare routine as well as even lifestyle factors. Some might notice an immediate improvement in skin hydration and plumpness shortly after application. More often most will notice that with consistent use over several weeks, you could see more noticeable improvements in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture. This study showed results after just 2 weeks and this study showed results after 6 weeks!
Conclusion: Is It Worth Adding Hyaluronic Acid To Your Natural Skin Care Routine?
Yes, it is definitely worth adding hyaluronic acid to your daily skincare routine! Not only does hyaluronic acid pair well with other skincare products but it is able to hydrate and plump skin so well too. It adds moisture to the skin which can help give your skin a glow and youthfulness.
What’s your favorite hyaluronic acid serum?
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