You are probably familiar with hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin on a regular basis. Dermatologists claim that the well-liked substance hydrates your skin by absorbing and drawing moisture into it. According to Dr. Mary Stevenson, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, it’s a fantastic hydrator for all skin types, but it’s particularly helpful for dry skin. She claims that we don’t have many things like that.
I discussed the utilization of hyaluronic acid in your skin care regimen with specialists. Along with NBC Select staff favorites, I also got their detailed suggestions for the best creams and serums to purchase.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? What is hyaluronic acid? How did I choose the best hyaluronic acid products? How do I shop for hyaluronic acid products?
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Best creamTatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
$undefined$72.00Sephora
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Best serumThe Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
$undefined$9.90Amazon
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Best moisturizerSelfmade Corrective Experience Comfort Cream
$30.00$30.00Self Made
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Best lightweightGlossier Super Bounce
$undefined$32.00Glossier
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What is hyaluronic acid?
Your body naturally creates hyaluronic acid, a substance that hydrates and cushions skin. According to Stevenson, it is present in human connective tissue, joints, skin, and eyes. She claims that because it functions as a humectant, it absorbs water like a sponge.
Since hyaluronic acid isn’t an acid, it should be effective for almost all skin types, despite its name. According to Stevenson, it’s not like salicylic acid or some other acids that can be more harsh or exfoliating on our skin.
How I picked the best hyaluronic acid products
The majority of skin types can tolerate hyaluronic acid. To choose the best hyaluronic acid products, experts advise considering the following factors:
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Consistency
: You ll typically find hyaluronic acid in lightweight serums, but you ll also see it in face creams, gels and lotions. -
Hydrating ingredients
: Hyaluronic acid works well with other moisturizing ingredients likeceramides
,
vitamin E
and aloe that offset any dryness or irritation that can come from using harsher ingredients like
retinol
.
-
Molecular weights
: Hyaluronic acid is usually present in products at different molecular weights, which affects how it penetrates the skin. Look for a combination of low and medium molecular weights to help it penetrate both the skin s surface and lower levels, experts say. -
Uses
: You can use it morning and night and/or alongside retinol as needed.
Related
Dry skin glossary: Breaking down all the ingredients you need to know about
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The best hyaluronic acid products in 2025
We’ve compiled a list of hyaluronic acid-containing products that dermatologists prescribe below, along with top-rated NBC Select staff recommendations.
Best serum:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight consistency
- Safe for sensitive skin/acne
- May feel sticky at first
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Barry Goldman prefers this product from The Ordinary for a mild hyaluronic acid serum. According to specialists, the fact that it is oil-, alcohol-, and fragrance-free is advantageous for people with sensitive skin. My skin absorbs the hyaluronic acid serum I’ve been using daily for the past six months. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin adds, “I love that it’s very lightweight, dries quickly, and has a slight cooling effect.” My skin appears more hydrated overall and dries out less frequently now that I’m using it.
Best moisturizer: Selfmade Corrective Experience Comfort Cream
Selfmade Corrective Experience Comfort Cream
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Lightweight gel
- Absorbs easily
- Has a scent
NBC Select employees love this gel moisturizer, which won an NBC Select Wellness Award. According to the brand, it functions as an occlusive, which forms a barrier on the skin and retains moisture. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio enjoys how the moisturizer keeps her skin hydrated and silky for hours after applying, especially during the dry winter months, while Malin believes the gel-like substance feels very light on her skin.
Best splurge:
Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
- Firms skin
- Lightweight consistency
- Works for all skin types
- Expensive
Lauren Swanson, editorial director of NBC Select, has been using this serum for years. When I worked as a beauty editor, I developed an obsession with Skinceuticals, Swanson explains. Either by itself or in combination with other hydrators, this serum is fantastic. She claims that while using Accutane, it also kept her skin hydrated.
Best non-greasy:
Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Soothes for flaky skin
- Pump packaging
- Has hydrating ceramides
- Thicker consistency
Ella Morrissey of the NBC page, who suffers from dry skin, loves this serum. She claims that after applying one to two pumps to her face and neck before bed, she wakes up with hydrated, smooth skin that doesn’t appear overly glossy. After using this lotion, Morrissey reports that she no longer experiences as many flare-ups of those red, flaky dry spots, especially during the winter.
Best face oil:
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster
- Helps reduce fine lines
- Soothes irritated skin
- Expensive
- Oily consistency
Ashley Morris, an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, bought this serum after her esthetician suggested it. She claims that it works particularly well in the winter when her skin feels drier than usual. According to the manufacturer, this Dermalogica booster, which has a light oil consistency and contains hyaluronic acid, also contains panthenol and algae extract to help lessen the visibility of dryness lines. Dermalogica suggests mixing a few drops of the serum to your preferred cream or lotion or applying it before your moisturizer.
Best oil-free:
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Oil-free
- Won’t clog pores
- Can feel sticky at first
Because it contains mineral water to help moisturize the skin, Goldman suggests this Vichy serum. In addition to being noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), the manufacturer claims that this oil-and fragrance-free serum has a non-greasy composition that you may wear comfortably on its own or beneath your preferred moisturizer. It is appropriate for sensitive skin because it has been approved by the National Eczema Association.
Best cooling:
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel
- Can store in fridge
- Lightweight gel
- Large packaging
- Expensive
Rebecca Rodriguez, the editorial projects manager for NBC Select, claims that her skin benefits greatly from using this gel mask twice a day. In addition to vitamin E and aloe to hydrate dry skin, it contains a hyaluronic acid complex and a plant extract called pentavitin. For an additional chilling impact, Rodriguez suggests keeping the gel in the refrigerator. (Peter Thomas Roth also produces a serum if that’s your preference.)
Best essence:
Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
- Absorbs quickly
- Not greasy or sticky
- Layers with other skin care
- Nothing to note at this time
Although Cosrx’s Snail Mucin line is likely its most well-known, Morris has been using this essence for years and would choose it if she could only use one hydrating product from the company. The brand claims that it is moisturizing enough to be effective in both summer and winter and is created from a highly concentrated natural hyaluronic acid. Morris enjoys rubbing it into her skin twice a day since it feels light, absorbs rapidly, and complements her other products nicely. Morris adds that a bottle lasts for months.
Best cream:
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
- Not greasy or sticky
- Comes with applicator
- Reduces fine lines
- Expensive
According to board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu, this Tatcha cream combines deep moisture and antioxidant elements in a sophisticated, non-greasy consistency. According to the firm, the noncomedogenic lotion hydrates and retains water in the skin by combining hyaluronic acid with an Okinawa algae combination.
Best lightweight:
Glossier Super Bounce
Glossier Super Bounce
- Absorbs quickly
- Soothes irritated skin
- Smooths and firms skin
- Small bottle
This popular Glossier serum, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 700 reviews at Glossier, has both hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) for added hydration, according to the brand. Glossier claims that its non-sticky composition is suitable for wearing under makeup.
Best with SPF:
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
- Has SPF
- Absorbs quickly and easily
- Pump packaging
- May feel a bit greasy
The broad-spectrum SPF 30 in this daily moisturizer shields skin from UV rays. The noncomedogenic lotion has ceramides to help restore the skin s barrier and niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that can calm irritated skin, according to the brand. Like most people, I’ve heard that you should always wear sunscreen, no matter the weather. This CeraVe AM lotion makes that as painless as possible for me, says NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz, who has used the lotion for over three years. Each pump is just enough lotion to cover my entire face comfortably, not too much, not too little. Plus, the lotion feels more like a thick, hydrating moisturizer than a sunscreen you might keep nearby for beach day, says Rabinowitz.
Best scented:
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum
- Lightweight
- Absorbs quickly
- Softens skin
- Has a fragrance
- May irritate sensitive skin
Korean skin carebrand Glow Recipe, which makes one of our favoriteblackhead treatments, also makes a highly rated hyaluronic acid serum. It uses five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate each layer of the skin, according to the brand. Based on more than 1,100 reviews, the serum has an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon.
Best fast-absorbing:
Bubble Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum
Bubble Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum
- Layers with other skin care
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
- May be sticky at first
NBC Select SEO editorNikki Brownrecommends this hydrating serum for people who want a short yet effective skin care routine. What I love most about this serum is that it absorbs crazy fast I just hate making the process longer than it needs to be, she says. Lately, she s been using this serum to combat the dryness of New York winters and although she hasn t been using it for very long, she says she can already tell it s helping to boost the effectiveness of her moisturizer because her skin feels normal again, and it looks moisturized too.
Best for texture:
La Roche-Posay Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Improves skin texture
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Reduces fine lines/wrinkles
- Has a scent
- May feel sticky
Several dermatologists have previously recommended La Roche-Posay as a great drugstore skin care brand, and it s a favorite among NBC Select staff. This serum has glycerin and vitamin B5 for added moisture in addition to hyaluronic acid, according to the brand. It s also highly rated, with a 4.6-star average rating from over 28,200 reviews on Amazon.
Best soothing:
Ilia The Base Face Milk
Ilia The Base Face Milk
- Reduces redness and texture
- Thick, milky consistency
- Does not feel heavy/sticky
- Dropper packaging
Ilia s vegan face moisturizer and serum hybrid, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 900 reviews at Sephora, is designed to be lightweight and calming, according to the brand. Formulated with lipids, fatty acids and antioxidant extracts, it also addresses uneven texture and redness, according to Ilia, and you can use it both day and night.
How to shop for hyaluronic acid products
Hyaluronic acid is most often found in serums and creams. While water-based serums typically have a higher concentration of the active ingredient and are therefore a better option, creams can be great for those who don t have time to wait for their skin to absorb a serum, experts say.
I think you get the best bang for your buck with a serum just because you re getting the most concentrated hyaluronic acid with water and it s going straight into your skin, says Stevenson. [But] sometimes you need a one and done deal [and] for those patients, I think a cream is just fine.
Serums will often advertise what percentage of hyaluronic acid is in the product. Anywhere from 1% to 2% is a reasonable concentration, says Stevenson. Some products are formulated with hyaluronic acids at different molecular weights that s because different weights penetrate differently, so you want a combination, according to Stevenson.
In general, low and medium [molecular weights] penetrate deeper into the lower levels of skin while high molecular weights hydrate the top or surface of the skin, she says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyaluronic acid is good for anyone who wants to plump and hydrate the skin, according to experts. It s also great when used in conjunction with more drying ingredients likeretinol. Hyaluronic acid creams work well with retinol andvitamin Cproducts to decrease the irritation that sometimes occurs, says Goldman. Hyaluronic acid matched with a retinol is a match made in heaven.
Though hyaluronic acid gives the skin a healthier and more hydrated appearance, Stevenson says that it isn t a permanent fix for wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because it s basically plumping up the cell, she says. It will just kind of add moisture back immediately because it s holding on to these water molecules around your skin cells. It s basically like blowing up a float toy.
Stevenson suggests using hyaluronic acid first, followed by an emollient moisturizer (likeFirst Aid Beauty s Ultra Repair Cream, which has ingredients that bring moisture to the skin) or an occlusive moisturizer likeVaseline, which creates a physical barrier to lock in hydration. If you decide to use hyaluronic acid in conjunction with a product like retinol, Stevenson says you should sandwich the retinol in between the hyaluronic acid and a moisturizer to limit the amount of irritation.
There s no limitation to how many times you can use hyaluronic acid in a day since it acts as a great hydrator, says Stevenson. She warns that some people may experience a reaction if they re using hyaluronic acid products in conjunction with harsh ingredients like essential oils or fragrances. People witheczema,rosaceaor extremelysensitive skinmight want to apply a product either behind the ear or on their inner wrist for a few days in a row before putting it all over their face, she says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Dr. Barry Goldman
is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Goldman Dermatology in New York City. He is also a clinical instructor at Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital.
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Dr. Mary Stevenson
is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at NYU Langone Health s Department of Dermatology. She is a dermatological surgeon who specializes in Mohs surgery, as well as laser and cosmetic procedures.
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Dr. Annie Chiu
is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist. She is the founder of The Derm Institute in North Redondo Beach, California, and currently serves on the Dermatology staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Why trust NBC Select?
Morgan Greenwald is a former editor for NBC Select.Ashley Morrisis an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more. For this story, they spoke to board-certified dermatologists about the best hyaluronic acid products, including product recommendations and advice on how to shop for your own.
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