For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
As a shopping writer, I review beauty products for work, which means my skin-care routine changes regularly. However, there’s always one constant in my routine besides sunscreen. No matter the season, no matter what products I’m testing or my geographical location, I always use a hyaluronic-acid serum. Needless to say, I have tried a lot of hyaluronic-acid serums (I go through a bottle of the serum nearly once a month), so below I’ve rounded up my favorites and everything you need to know about this ingredient according to experts.
SO, YOU are searching for the best HYALURONIC ACID SERUM?
➼ FAQs
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true favorites
➼ Our experts
Updated on June 30, 2025: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Our top picks
The Overall Winner
SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract, purple rice extract
Size: 1 fl oz.
Ever since I tried this serum, I’ve found it nearly impossible to use anything else. I’m dreading the day I finish this bottle. The intense serum is a mix of HA and botanical extracts to aid in hydrating and plumping the skin. It’s also the one with the most immediate results. My skin looks glossy and feels hydrated immediately after applying.
The Drugstore One
Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Size: 1 fl oz.
This has multiple weights of hyaluronic acid (four, to be exact), but at a fraction of the price. Its slightly thicker, more gel-like texture absorbs into the skin and feels just as hydrating as pricier serums. I’ve bought multiple bottles of this from Target’s beauty section.
The Plumping One
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, plum, vegan collagen, silk proteins
Size: 1 fl oz.
This one is like a sheet mask in a bottle and probably one of the most underrated Glow Recipe products. It has hyaluronic acids at different weights that can penetrate different layers of the skin according to the brand, the results are super hydrated and plump skin.
Another Plumping Option
Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, glycerin
Size: 1 fl oz.
At just under $30 this slightly more affordable serum has become my new favorite. I’m already on my second bottle! With multiple levels of hyaluronic acid and another of my favorite humectants, glycerin, this serum has instant hydration you can see and feel. The immediate results are glowy, plump skin, and over time it helps to repair your skin barrier.
The Replenishing One
Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum 15ml
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide
Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Featuring a cocktail of ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide that make it worth the extra money, this serum is about as thick and deeply hydrating as your favorite moisturizer. I went through this pretty quickly, but with the thicker texture, absorption, and additional ingredients, you can skip a few other skin-care steps.
The Affordable One
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, matrixyl peptide
Size: 1 fl oz.
If you need something quick, easy, and on a budget, then try the Inkey List. The serum hydrates pretty well, sinking into the skin without feeling like a weird filmy layer. After picking this up at Sephora multiple times, my biggest gripe with this serum is the packaging, which dispenses way too much product.
Another Affordable Option
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum – 1 oz
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, pro-vitamin B5
Size: 2 fl oz.
Much like the Inkey List serum, this is a decent, affordable hydrator that falls victim to lackluster packaging. The dropper helps you get the right amount of product, but it’s always pretty messy anyway. The Ordinary has, however, updated the formula with added weights of hyaluronic acids that penetrate the skin at deeper levels. You’ll also feel the difference in the consistency since it’s a thicker formula. It still absorbs just as quickly, though.
More tried-and-true options
The Best Alternative
HoliFrog Galilee Antioxidant Dewy Drop
Key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, squalane, azelaic acid
Size: 1 fl oz.
It’s not a hyaluronic-acid serum, exactly, but one of the key ingredients is sodium hyaluronate, a humectant derived from hyaluronic acid. To put it plainly, if you need another hydrating, moisturizing option, I swear by this serum for hydrated, glasslike skin. It has a blend of anti-inflammatory ingredients and moisturizers for very, very dry skin.
The Best Two-step Serum
Saro de Rue Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, vitamin E
Size: 1.69 fl oz.
If your skin-care routine is extra, this two-step hyaluroic-acid serum should be part of it. The serum activates a concentrated pill that features HA along with squalane; once the pill dissolves, the result is a serum with a somewhat syruplike texture, but it absorbs into the skin without feeling sticky and feels weirdly cooling as it plumps your skin.
The One With Ceramides
CosRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, amino acids, ceramides
Size: 0.68 fl oz.
We all know of the beloved snail-mucin essence, but I think this serum deserves as much hype. The formula is on the thicker side, but it feels silky and absorbs quickly. Along with a low-weight hyaluronic acid to help it absorb into the skin, that hydration is boosted with ceramides to help retain moisture.
The Soothing Serum
Current State Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, arnica-flower extract
Size: 1 fl oz.
I don’t mind layering on serums, but I do love a serum that’s a multitasker, and this one works on hydrating and soothing skin. Along with HA and aloe vera to hydrate, there’s arnica-flower extract to target redness and irritation. As someone who loves to exfoliate and tends to overdo it, this is a savior for irritated skin.
The One You’ve Wanted to Try
Glossier Super Bounce
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5
Size: 1 fl oz.
If you’ve been deterred by the long lines outside of the store or only grabbed the cult favorites like Glossier You or Boy Brow, I’m here to let you know you need to consider the brand’s serums, too. It has three molecular weights of HA for hydrated and plump, bouncy skin, hence the name. It also prides itself on being nonsticky, which can be a problem when it comes to HA serums. That being said, it lives up to its name and its claims of not being sticky; the immediate result is skin that looks more hydrated and smooth.
The Two-in-One Serum
StriVectin Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, ceramides
Size: 1 fl oz.
It may be pricey but for the month or so I was using it, I didn’t have to double up on hydrating serums. One side is a gel serum while the other is a cream. You mix them together for deep but lightweight hydration. The hyaluronic acid is boosted by ceramides and polyglutamic acid to help draw in and retain moisture. It’s a light formula yet it successfully tackled my winter dryness.
Another Affordable Option
Versed Water Rush Intensive Hydrating Serum
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5
Size: 1 fl oz.
Versed keeps its prices low but doesn’t skimp on ingredients and formulas so naturally the brand’s newer launch quickly became a favorite. The serum is a lightweight gel formula that deeply hydrates and soothes skin. Despite being a thicker gel, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any residue or feel sticky.
FAQS
Our experts: