14 Hyaluronic Acid Products to Quench Dry Winter Skin
Dewy, bouncy skin? Here you come.
Don’t let the word “acid” scare you. While we love most acids for the different roles they play in our skincare routines, hyaluronic acid should be the one that scares you the absolute least: In fact, Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet, and we just can’t get enough of it.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Products
- Best Overall: Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- Best Face Mask: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
- Polder's Pick: Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum
- Most Potent Formula: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir
- Best Protection: ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Serum Ampoules
- 24-Hour Hydration: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum
- Best Clinical Formula: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
- Best Luxury Formula: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
- Budget-Friendly: L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care
- Best Moisturizer: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
To help simplify your search for the best hyaluronic acid serums and creams, we asked dermatologists why this TikTok-famous ingredient lives up to the hype, how to correctly incorporate it into your skincare routine, and their all-time favorite hyaluronic acid products. We also share standout hyaluronic acid serums and creams that are aligned with their expert guidance.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance produced by skin cells, and it’s lauded by medical experts and beauty enthusiasts alike. It is a “powerful humectant,” which means hyaluronic acid loves water and helps retain it in your skin so that you’re well-moisturized. In fact, hyaluronic acid loves H20 so much, it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D.
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is far from just a buzzy skincare ingredient — it has real staying power, and is effective at more than just hydrating your parched skin. For starters, the fast-absorbing clear liquid plumps your skin from the outside in so you can visibly see results, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristel Polder, M.D.
You've also probably heard that you shouldn't combine certain acids (like alpha hydroxy acids) with other active ingredients in your skincare routine (like retinol), but hyaluronic acid is one that you can mix with nearly any other product out there. It replenishes the moisture that many other active ingredients diminish, so it's safe to mix and match accordingly.
A 2019 study even shows that this superhero beauty ingredient “produces anti-arthritic effects,” and is gentle enough to help treat wounds and burns.
What to Consider
What are the best forms of hyaluronic acid?
You can easily find hyaluronic acid in topical skincare products like serums and creams, but over the past few years, brands such as I.T. Cosmetics, Ilia, and Armani Beauty have infused it into foundations. King favors hyaluronic acid serums because they’re lightweight and hydrating. Plus, serums are typically followed by a face cream to lock in moisture.
Hyaluronic acid is so covetable that it’s even been found in lip and face fillers, hair care products, and pills. According to Polder, hyaluronic acid is safe when injected by a licensed medical professional, taken orally, or applied directly onto the skin. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you might want to skip using it for the time being. “We do caution women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because the effects of hyaluronic acid are still unknown for breast milk and nursing infants,” she explains.
Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?
Yes, all skin types can use hyaluronic acid, but there are a couple of guidelines for dry and oily skin types.
- If you have dry skin, be sure to always combine it with emollients and occlusives to prevent any moisture loss, suggests King.
- In oily skin, particularly if the environment is humid, "the sebum [an oily, waxy substance] contributes emollient and occlusive properties.” This means you may not need to follow up with a moisturizer, notes King.
Is it OK to use hyaluronic acid every day?
It’s totally fine and safe to use hyaluronic acid every day, according to King. You just have to apply it correctly to reap all of the skin benefits hyaluronic acid offers. Thankfully, there are only two correct methods of application:
- Hyaluronic acid should be applied first, followed by a moisturizer that contains emollients and occlusives. If you use an occlusive after hyaluronic acid, it won’t easily penetrate into your skin.
- Or it can be used as part of a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, as well as emollients and occlusives. Why? Humectants (hyaluronic acid), emollients, and occlusives work together to moisturize the skin, and each plays an important role in your skincare routine.
When should you start using hyaluronic acid?
Whenever you start to experience any dryness, which can happen at any age due to numerous factors. But Polder says any time between your 20s to 30s is great as well.“The good habits established in your 20s will carry over into your 30s,” she says.
What does this mean for you?
When hyaluronic acid is applied correctly, your face will become dewy, glowy, and hydrated AF. If you use a hyaluronic acid serum, be sure to lock in moisture with a face cream, ideally made with occlusive and emollient ingredients. Or, use a hyaluronic acid face cream infused with emollients and occlusive ingredients. So, if dry skin has you down, try treating it with hyaluronic acid serums, creams, masks, and more.
These are the 14 best skincare products containing hyaluronic acid.
