The 8 Best Hyaluronic Acid

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.