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If you’re tuned in to the nonstop buzz of the beauty world, you’ve heard of hyaluronic acid (HA). To refresh your memory, it’s a molecule found naturally in the skin and a total superstar beauty ingredient.
In skin care products, HA is praised for delivering mega hydration, plumping up your skin, and helping diminish the appearance of lines. As a dermal filler, it’s used to restore volume loss and plump up your pout.
But beyond the buzz, what are the actual benefits of hyaluronic acid, the ones science proves are legit? Turns out there are a lot.
We went to the experts to get the insider deets on what HA can do for your skin (plus your joints, eyes, and bones!), how to find the best HA products for every skin type, and how to use it. Leggo!
Best hyaluronic acid products
- Best serums:
- Best for rosacea and eczema: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Best for dry skin: Skinmedica HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator
- Best anti-aging: Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier (H.A.)
- Best for oily skin: Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum
- Best with vitamin C: goop GOOPGLOW 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Glow Serum
- Best budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
- Best anti-aging for sensitive skin: Tarte SEA Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Best moisturizers:
- Best drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost
- Best for combo skin: La Roche Posay Hydraphase Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and SPF
- Best for dewy skin: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
- Best for dry skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin with Ceramides
- Best cleansers:
- Best budget-friendly: The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
- Best rated: Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
“Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in our skin, and it binds with water to help hydrate and plump the skin,” says Katie Beleznay, a Vancouver-based dermatologist. It can also be found in joints, eyes, and tissues, helping to keep them tuned up (aka moisturized/lubricated AF).
So, if our bodies produce HA naturally, why would we need to supplement it? Well, as we age, our body’s supply of hyaluronic acid doesn’t stick around in the amounts needed. “We naturally lose hyaluronic acid in the outer layer of the skin, making it more difficult to retain moisture,” says Beleznay.
What does this mean for our skin? It can become drier, less elastic, and fine lines and wrinkles can start to form — and that’s where HA supplementation comes in.
The most convenient and noninvasive way to reap the benefits of hyaluronic acid is with skin care. “When used topically, HA acts as a humectant,” says Beleznay. Humectants are basically gatekeepers for the skin, helping to usher in moisture and block it from escaping.
Another popular way to add more HA to the skin is via filler, which is injected under the skin to add volume and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
Here’s a look at allll the good things hyaluronic acid can do for your skin:
- Hydration. Again, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It’s also responsible for giving peeps that much sought after ~dewy~ look.
- Reduces signs of aging. In addition to improved hydration, HA also helps improve skin elasticity and tightness — which is why it’s so great at reducing signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reduced acne and acne scarring. When applied topically, HA can reduce inflammation, which can help prevent acne from forming. When injected, it can also help reduce sebum production and reduce the appearance of atrophic (aka deep) acne scars.
- Would healing. HA can help regenerate tissue, making it an excellent addition to wound dressings.
- Helps treat eczema and psoriasis. In addition to helping reduce inflammation (mega important for treating eczema and psoriasis), research shows that adding HA to topical eczema and psoriasis treatments helps enhance the drugs’ delivery into your skin, giving the treatments a little boost.
Just about every skin care brand on shelves today (and we all know there’s a lot) has a product whose hero ingredient is hyaluronic acid.
With all the options available, how do you choose the best one? Well, you don’t have to bc we did the research for you. Here’s how we made our selections:
- Type of product. We focused on skin care products (rather than oral supplements), and we included a range of options including cleansers, serums (lots of serums), and moisturizers.
- Expert tips. We tapped dermatologists to share their favorite HA picks — the products they use themselves and recommend to their patients — to get an expert seal of approval.
- Price. We included products at all price points. Less expensive formulas are from our go-to budget brands, and more expensive ones are paired with extra beneficial ingredients that warrant the price tag.
- Ingredients. We carefully examined formulas to find HA products that feature other super-ingredients that can better help soothe and perfect skin while treating more common skin concerns.
- Reviews. We also included our most-loved picks, from us at Greatist. With all the products we try, you can rest assured we can be labeled qualified reviewers in the skin care game, selecting only the best formulas.
- Vetted products only. Every product has gone through a thorough vetting process that checks for unsupported health claims and shady business practices. We also make sure the ingredients in each product actually do what the brand says they do. Only products that passed that process made our list.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $10
- $$ = $10–$50
- $$$ = $50–$100
- $$$$ = over $100
Best hyaluronic acid serum for rosacea and eczema
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Size: 50ml bottle
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: sensitive skin-tested, free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: may not provide enough hydration
This serum is one of Beleznay’s favorites. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, mineral-rich thermal water, and glycerin.
Hyaluronic acid helps plump skin, boost elasticity, and strengthen skin barrier function, while glycerin (another superstar moisturizer) adds an extra boost of hydration. Thermal water helps calm, protect, and soothe inflammation, making this a great pick for anyone with rosacea or eczema.
What’s more: This serum is nongreasy and fragrance-free, making it super safe for sensitive skin.
Reviewers are obsessed with this serum, saying it’s amazing for dry and sensitive skin. Many recommend using it underneath a moisturizer for best results (since HA helps pull moisturizing ingredients into your skin). But some folks say it doesn’t exactly get the job done.
Best hyaluronic acid serum for dry skin
Skinmedica HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator
- Price: $$$$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone, vitamin E
- Size: 1–2 oz bottle
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: quick results, contains antioxidants, free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: expensive, can’t be used by someone with milk allergy (contains whey protein)
Another one of Beleznay’s favorites, this hydrating product (super similar to a serum) is formulated with *five* different types of hyaluronic acid to take HA’s benefits to the next level.
It contains glycerin, dimethicone, and vitamin E to provide skin with the deepest hydration possible and help it retain moisture. Antioxidant vitamin E also helps reduce premature signs of aging caused by oxidative stress (aka UV exposure, pollution, cig smoke).
Our favorite thing about this product that makes it totally worth its hefty price tag? You can see results almost instantly. In just 15 minutes, you’ll notice a softening of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and a radiant glow. Keep using it for 8 weeks, and you’ll note even better results.
Reviewers say they saw super quick results and noticed plumper skin and reduced fine lines. People aren’t happy with the price, though (there was a recent price increase) — and others recommend buying from a retailer other than Amazon to ensure authenticity.
Best “anti-aging” hyaluronic acid serum
Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier (H.A.)
- Price: $$$$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, proxylane, licorice root extract, capryloyl salicylic acid
- Size: 1 oz
- Skin type: normal, oily, combination
- Pros: contains additional ingredients to reduce signs of aging
- Cons: contains alcohol (not great for dry/sensitive skin), texture may be too sticky for some, expensive
Dermatologists everywhere recommend this serum, and we’re not surprised. The cult-favorite brand says it can boost skin’s HA levels by 30 percent.
The formula contains HA and glycerin for hydration, plus vitamin E for an extra dose of hydration and antioxidant benefits.
We also love that it’s formulated with proxylane to make skin look firmer and capryloyl salicylic acid — a derivative of the salicylic acid that helps reduce hyperpigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles. To top it off, it contains licorice root extract to soothe irritated skin.
And the results show. Reviewers say they see serious results in the skin aging department. But some say it isn’t the best for dry skin (which is likely because it contains exfoliating ingredients and alcohol), so keep scrolling if hydrating is your #1 concern.
Best hyaluronic acid serum for oily skin
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol
- Size: 50 ml
- Skin type: normal, combo, or oily
- Pros: contains “anti-aging,” soothing ingredients; free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: not great for dry skin
This serum may be able to get deeper into the skin than its competitors — that’s because it’s formulated with sodium hyaluronate, which has a smaller molecular weight than HA and can therefore penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver ample hydration.
It also contains panthenol (aka vitamin B5) — which helps repair your skin’s barrier to further improve hydration — and niacinamide, a multitasking ingredient known for its anti-acne, wrinkle-smoothing, oil-balancing, hydrating, and skin-brightening potential.
Fans of the product say it helps “plump up fine lines” and provides hydration that lasts all day. But peeps with dry skin looking for that dewy look say it didn’t quite do the trick.
Best hyaluronic acid serum with vitamin C
goop GOOPGLOW 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Glow Serum
- Price: $$$$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), ferulic acid
- Size: 23 ml
- Skin type: normal, oily, combo, dry
- Pros: contains three sizes of HA molecule and vitamin C; free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: pricey, must be mixed, causes irritation for some
This product is a total twofer. It boasts both hyaluronic acid and L-ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C), which protects against free radical damage and improves skin tone and texture. It’s also got ferulic acid, another antioxidant that helps stabilize vitamin C.
The result? Soft, healthy-looking skin that’s protected against the elements. What’s more, it contains three molecular sizes of HA to target multiple layers within your skin.
Many reviewers are ecstatic about the results from using this serum, with tons of reports of reduced hyperpigmentation. But most are not happy about the price — and others say it caused irritation.
Best budget hyaluronic acid serum
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
- Price: $
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, panthenol (vitamin B5)
- Size: 1 oz
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: affordable; free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: some find it pills
This $7 serum combines hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to provide dry skin with much-needed moisture and help repair the skin barrier. Suggested for use twice a day, the liquid-based product left the faces of some online reviewers looking more luminous than ever, and some report softer skin.
Many also say it layers well with other skin care products (perf for slugging) but not so well with makeup — so this might be a good nighttime-only option.
Best “anti-aging” hyaluronic acid serum for sensitive skin
Tarte SEA Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, algae extract
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: contains pro-aging ingredients; free of fragrance and essentials
- Cons: sticky
The addition of algae extract helps this hyaluronic acid serum to target fine lines and wrinkles — but with less risk of irritation than if it contained other popular “anti-aging” (or, as we like to say, pro-aging) ingredients like retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). That means it’s an excellent choice for sensitive skin folks who want to reduce signs of aging but haven’t had luck with stronger actives.
Although the formula did feel “sticky” to some users, others suggested applying moisturizer after to counteract that. Other reviewers say they love how hydrating it is without feeling heavy.
Best drugstore hyaluronic acid moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Skin type: normal, oily, combo
- Pros: doesn’t clog pores, good for acne-prone skin, affordable
- Cons: contains fragrance
A favorite of both Beleznay and Nkem Ugonabo, a New York City-based dermatologist and a #1 best seller on Amazon, this drugstore find is a total winner.
It’s a gel moisturizer with HA and glycerin, so you’re locked in loaded in terms of moisture. It’s also quick-absorbing and creates a smooth canvas, making it perfect for wearing under liquid makeup.
Online reviewers swear by the product — one wrote: “My cystic acne has ceased, my skin is supple, clear, brightened.” Another reviewer dubbed it an “effective, affordable” alternative to more expensive products.
Best hyaluronic acid moisturizer for combo skin
La Roche Posay Hydraphase Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and SPF
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone
- Size: 1.69 oz
- Skin type: normal, oily, combo
- Pros: moisturizes and leave a dewy look without feeling greasy
- Cons: contains fragrance, only SPF 20
La Roche Posay is another one of those dermatologist favorites. It’s a Greatist fave, too.
The ingredient list is straightforward but contains everything you need — HA, glycerin, and dimethicone — for hydrated, silky smooth skin.
This moisturizer, in particular, is the forever fave of one of our editors, who pairs it with her vitamin C serum daily to achieve a healthy glow every morning. She says it works wonders on combo skin because it hydrates any rough patches without leaving her T-zone super oily.
The biggest downside is that it contains fragrance (so it’s not great for sensitive skin) and only has SPF 20, so you’ll still need another sunscreen to hit the minimum of 30.
Best hyaluronic acid moisturizer for dewy skin
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, niacinamide, plum extract
- Size: 1.7 oz.
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: contains extra hydrating ingredients and antioxidant
- Cons: contains fragrance
This moisturizer from Glow Recipe is super popular for its light and fluffy texture that goes to WERK on dryness.
Along with familiar friends HA and glycerin, it contains squalane, an emollient that moisturizes and leaves skin feeling soft without feeling heavy. It also has plum extract, providing a dose of healthy antioxidants that fight off oxidative stress.
Reviewers absolutely love the healthy, dewy look it leaves after use. It contains natural fragrance, though, which can irritate sensitive skin. But still, many reviewers say it works wonders for them.
Best hyaluronic acid moisturizer for dry skin
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin with Ceramides
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, vitamin E
- Size: 12–16 oz
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: loaded with hydrating ingredients, good for sensitive skin types; free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: may leave a white cast
Derms everywhere sing the praises of the skin care brand CeraVe and the skin care ingredient ceramides, so this moisturizer is a no-brainer.
Ceramides help heal the skin barrier — which is essential if you’re experiencing sensitivity due to overusing exfoliants or other harsh chemicals — thereby leaving skin feeling moisturized, calm, and comfortable.
Plus, CeraVe is known for being effective, easily accessible, and nonirritating. And like most CeraVe products, this moisturizer is great for those with sensitive skin and conditions such as eczema.
Best budget-friendly hyaluronic acid cleanser
The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
- Price: $
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Size: 5 oz
- Skin type: all skin types
- Pros: nonirritating; free of fragrance and essential oils
- Cons: some people had breakouts after use
Do you feel your cleanser strips away all the oils on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight? We’ve been there, and we can say this cost-effective hydrating cleanser is for you.
Boasting (of course) hyaluronic acid, this super hydrating cleanser has a lightly foaming texture that hydrates and softens skin while removing makeup.
Reviewers confirm that this cleanser nails the clean-but-not-scrubbed feeling. People with sensitive, dry, combo, and normal skin types love the way it feels, too.
Best rated hyaluronic acid cleanser
Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
- Price: $$
- Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin algae
- Size: 4 oz
- Skin type: normal, combo, oily
- Pros: leaves skin super soft
- Cons: pay irritate acne-prone skin, contains alcohol and fragrance
Those interested in incorporating hyaluronic acid through a daily cleansing routine should def consider this crowd-pleaser. It’s a cream-based cleanser that washes away makeup and dirt but is formulated with a blend of hyaluronic acid, Japanese algae, and Japanese rice powder that leaves skin feeling silky smooth.
It does contain fragrance and alcohol, which can cause irritation for some people — though reviewers with sensitive skin report it being gentle and non-drying. They also say it has a luxurious feel that leaves you feeling clean but not stripped.
Hyaluronic acid is available in multiple forms, including topicals, dermal fillers, and even oral supplements. The one you choose ultimately comes down to what you’re using it for, your budget, and your personal preference.
- Skin care with HA. “Topical skin care is the easiest way to incorporate HA [into your routine],” says Beleznay. It has been proven to hydrate skin and help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But as with any new skin care ingredient, results and side effects may vary. While topical HA can help restore hydration and soften lines, it “will not have the same benefits in terms of volumization or reducing lines and folds that injectable HA fillers will have,” says Beleznay.
- HA Filler. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers involve a dermatologist injecting the molecule beneath the skin’s surface to “fill in deep lines and wrinkles, contour cheeks, and correct hollows,” says Ugonabo. They can be used in the temples, tear troughs, cheekbones, lips and jawline, to name a few, and results last 6 months to a year. While expert-administered fillers are considered safe and effective, DIY versions are not. “There was a dangerous trend of hyaluron pens appearing on social media, and these at-home devices to inject HA present significant risks,” warns Beleznay. Trust only someone who is trained and experienced with injectables and facial anatomy to administer HA filler.
- Oral HA. Although studies have shown that taking 120 milligrams of a hyaluronic acid supplement per day for 12 weeks can help diminish wrinkles and boost skin suppleness, neither Beleznay or Ugonabo prescribe or recommend them to their patients. Both agree more research needs to be done on their risks and benefits.
Is hyaluronic acid right for you? The answer is a resounding yes. HA is a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for all skin types.
“Hyaluronic acid is generally well-tolerated,” says Beleznay. It can easily be slipped into a skin care routine when skin is in need of extra hydration with little-to-no risk of sensitivity or irritation.
Now that you know it’s right for you, the next step is to consider your options. Although you probably hear a lot about HA serums, you can find the ingredient in various skin care goods, including cleansers and moisturizers.
The best hyaluronic acid skin care product for you depends on your skin type and goals. Here’s the lowdown by skin type:
For dry and sensitive skin
Product type. If you’re looking for hella hydration, consider opting for an HA serum. “Serums are often more potent and designed to penetrate the skin,” says Ugonabo. It’ll seep deep into pores to quench thirsty skin and can offer it a fresh, plumped look.
If your skin is super dehydrated, you might want to consider pairing up hyaluronic acid products. An HA serum teamed with an HA moisturizer can get the job done for people with dry skin, says Ugonabo. Just be sure to layer the products in the right order: The moisturizer needs to be applied last so it can seal in the serum’s active ingredients.
HA cleansers can also be a good option for dry/sensitive skin. If your current cleanser feels like it’s drying out your skin (if your face feels tight after cleansing it, that’s a sign), swap it for a gentler version with HA. It’ll hydrate and soften skin as it cleanses without causing additional irritation.
Ingredients to look for. Regardless of whether you choose a serum, moisturizer, or cleanser, make sure you’re looking for products with glycerin, vitamin E, and ceramides to boost HA’s hydrating potential.
Ingredients to avoid. Additionally, steer clear of exfoliants — like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid — as well as fragrance (including essential oils!) and alcohol. These ingredients can cause major irritation.
For oily and combination skin
Product type. Maybe hydration isn’t your main concern, but you want to reap the plumping, line-minimizing, oil-controlling benefits of HA. In that case, you may want to swap your everyday moisturizer for one that contains HA. “It’ll work at the surface of the skin and often form a physical barrier to keep the skin moisturized,” says Ugonabo.
Ingredients to look for. Glycerin is an amazing everyday moisturizer that won’t feel too heavy on your skin. Niacinamide can also help balance out oil production and brighten your skin. Exfoliants — like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid — and vitamin C can help reduce signs of aging, even out skin texture, and brighten your skin.
Ingredients to avoid. Make sure your products are labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores.
For normal skin
Product type. If you generally have nonreactive skin, the world is your oyster — so the type of product you pick comes down to your skin care goals. If you’re looking to reduce signs of aging, a serum is usually your best bet. But if you’re mostly just looking for daily hydration, opt for a moisturizer or cleanser with hyaluronic acid.
Ingredients to look for. Exfoliating ingredients and antioxidants can help reduce signs of aging, even out skin texture, and brighten your skin.
Ingredients to avoid. Again, you don’t have too much to worry about if your skin isn’t sensitive or you don’t have any allergies.
There’s this sneaky little thing about hyaluronic acid — use it incorrectly (which is all too easy to do), and it can actually do the opposite of what you want.
“The molecule needs water to plump,” says Beleznay. “Without any moisture on the surface of your skin, it may pull the water from inside your skin.” The result? Skin that’s even more dehydrated. “
The best way to counteract this is by applying HA to damp skin,” says Beleznay. Just wet your face and use your fingers to apply the product (the amount depending on the product’s instructions).
If HA isn’t the first product you apply in your skin care regimen, you can simply wet your fingertips before applying it, which can still provide the moisture it needs. And in the case you’re using an HA serum, “it’s also important to use a moisturizer on top to help lock in the moisture,” says Beleznay.
If you have really dry skin, drop your HA on your skin day and night. If not, you might opt to use it just in the morning to get that dewy, plumped-up look every day.
In addition to helping plump, smooth, moisturize, and all-around beautify, hyaluronic acid works internally to ease several issues. It can help with joints, eyes, bones, and beyond — and science stands solidly behind these benefits:
- Improved joint and bone health. Multiple studies say that hyaluronic acid could promote better bone and joint health, as it helps promote new cell and tissue growth. It works naturally in the body to keep joints well-lubricated and taking 80 to 200 milligrams daily as a supplement has been shown to significantly help those with osteoarthritis.
- Relief from dry eye. Hyaluronic acid’s moisturizing nature has been proven effective in the treatment of dry eyes.
- Relief from bladder discomfort. Some studies report that hyaluronic acid, when injected, could also improve bladder health, reducing complications associated with a painful bladder.
- Reduced acid reflux symptoms. According to one study, reflux symptoms were significantly reduced by taking a hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate supplement along with an acid-reducing medication.
- Hydrated hair. More and more hair care products are starting to include hyaluronic acid in their ingredients list (case in point: Oribe’s new Hair Alchemy collection), and for good reason — it adds moisture to locks, making them less frizzy and much smoother.
One of the reasons HA is so popular? It’s quite foolproof — after you get the whole water first, then serum, then moisturizer routine down, that is.
“Aside from potentially drying your skin if not used properly, there are few potential side effects from topical HA,” says Beleznay. “It also plays well with most other ingredients, so you’ll find it in many products alongside popular ingredients such as topical Vitamin C and retinol.”
Even though it’s not super common, it’s still possible to have a reaction to HA skin care products. Keep an eye out for redness, itching, swelling, pain, and/or bruising.
Instead of considering an alternative ingredient to hyaluronic acid, Beleznay suggests focusing on the skin issues you’re hoping to address.
“There can be a number of different ingredients or products to help address concerns,” says Beleznay. For example, if dryness is a concern, you might want to try a moisturizer with ceramides. If you’re trying to find a noninvasive way to reduce wrinkles, retinol might be your best option.
Other product recommendations to check out
- The 17 Best Face Serums for Every Skin Type: The Ultimate Faceoff
- Farewell, Free Radicals: The 14 Best Antioxidant Serums
- 10 Anti-Aging Serums That Fight Off Wrinkles and Blemishes
- The 22 Best Face Moisturizers for Boosting Your Skin
- 10 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin to Keep You Hydrated and Fresh AF
- 35 of the Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Is hyaluronic acid safe for skin?
“HA is generally very safe for all skin types,” says Ugonabo. It’s also unlikely that you’re allergic or sensitive to hyaluronic acid since your body produces it on its own.
Still, Ugonabo recommends test-spotting a new formula because products are often combined with other ingredients, and you want to ensure you don’t have a reaction to any of them.
Where can you buy hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid can be found in skin care products at your local drugstore, dermatologist office, big-box chains, and other beauty retailers.
If you decide to shop on Amazon, make sure you’re fully vetting the listing to see if reviewers report counterfeit products or other issues with quality.
What percentage of hyaluronic acid is effective?
According to Beleznay, most HA in effective topicals are in the 0.5 to 2 percent range. But not every product will list the actual concentration, so it can be tough gauging this when you’re shopping.
What ingredient is better than hyaluronic acid?
If you’re looking for other ingredients that offer the hydrating benefits you can find with HA, Ugonabo suggests ceramides, glycerin, and shea butter.
Hyaluronic acid naturally exists in the body, but not always at optimal levels — especially as we age. That’s where topical serums and creams, injectables, and oral supplements come in.
Hyaluronic acid can improve your skin and help with joints, eyes, bones, and beyond. There’s plenty of science to back that up, too. But one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to add it to your routine is with skin care products like serums, moisturizers, and cleansers.
There’s an HA product out there for everyone, so make sure to consider your skin type and goals as you shop. Our “How to choose” tips can help you find the perf addition to your skin care routine. Happy shopping!