I’ve Tried Hundreds of Hyaluronic Acid Serums and These are My Favourite

This new serum from the current ‘Sephora Kid’ generation favourite, packs a real punch in delivering hydration to the skin. The packaging may look fun but Bubble Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum (£18) is serious when it comes to adding moisture. I was very impressed with how smoothly it absorbed into skin to leave a hydrated glow.

If you’re looking for the OG of the hyaluronic movement – then this is it! One of the first skincare brands to sell a serum that shouted about the fact it contained hyaluronic acid, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£6) is one I always recommend to those looking to try and add HA into their routine but aren’t ready to commit to investing in a premium product. It also contains anti-inflammatory vitamin B5 that draws moisture from outside into the skin for an added boost of hydration.

If luxury is what you after then you need to try this Stella McCartney Alter-Care Serum (£110). The price isn’t for the fainthearted, but when I tell you this goes on like a dream and keeps my skin feeling and looking hydrated all day I am not lying. It is so moisturising I often don’t need to add any additional products and the smell is divine. It also also fully sustainable and refillable – it’s nice to see Stella’s ethos run through her fashion line and into beauty too.

This serum is always one of my fallback options. It contains three different types of hyaluronic acid as well as a peptide which ensures it gets deep into your skin. I have tried lots of different options but always find myself coming back to Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid (£24)

The Glow Hub Hydration Hero Serum (£14) went viral on TikTok after skinfluencer Amelia Olivia dubbed it the “GOAT of Hyaluronic Acids”. But what actually makes it one of greatest of all time? Well, the formula is packed full of three different types of HA which hydrate each and every layer to create a weightless film across the upper layer of the skin and lock in four times more moisture to leave you with glowing, deeply moisturised skin.

The CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£17) is exactly what you would expect from the brand – gentle, effective, fragrance free, easy-to-use, and recommended by skin experts and dermatologists. It is ideal if you have sensitive skin and are wary of trying new ingredients.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£25) is so popular one is sold every minute around the world. According to the brand, its hyaluronic acid molecule retains a thousand times its weight in water, which, in turn helps to maintain moisture levels in the skin, keeping it feeling super hydrated. This serum (which you can read a full review of here) has been formulated with 1.5 percent concentration, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but is actually the optimum amount to hydrate the skin without causing irritation.

As mentioned above, our cells’ production of hyaluronic acid starts to decline as we get older, so if you’re looking for an intense boost for aging skin then Skinceuticals HA.Intensifier (£85) is worth considering. A nifty serum that boosts your own levels of HA. Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London, describes it as having “an elegant texture and scent, plus it works!”

Another great budget option, you only need a pea-sized amount of The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid (£6) to make a difference to your skin. It is quite versatile, so it can be added direct to cleansed skin before layering on the rest of your skin care or added into your own moisturiser. It contains three different molecular weights of HA, which means it reaches different depths within the skin to ensure your complexion is hydrated deep down.

If you want to join the likes of Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham, then invest in a bottle of Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum (£235). This A-list serum of choice contains short and long-chained hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin at the upper epidermis down to the deeper layer of the dermis.

There’s a lot of chatter about Drunk Elephant, and I am sure you’ve seen it all over your social media, but if you’re wondering if its worth the hype then it’s a resounding yes. I discovered the Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum (£44) last year and fell in love instantly. You notice a difference in your skin from the moment you pat it in – it feels instantly softer and even a bit bouncier than before. In addition to HA, this super-hydrating serum includes provitamin B5 and ceramides (derived from pineapple), both of which also help the skin retain moisture.

Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at POPSUGAR UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years’ experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.