Best Overall

StriVectin Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

$69

$66 at Amazon$69 at Sephora$69 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

StriVectin’s Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum is exactly what it sounds like—a serum that multiplies hydration. It does so through a unique application method that involves two serums deposited simultaneously. When you press down on the top of the bottle, you’ll see a serum with a clear, gel-like consistency and another that’s creamier and richer. As you smooth them across the skin, they meld together.

Admittedly, the serums can feel somewhat sticky at first, but our tester assured us that the formulation sinks into the skin with minimal residue in about a minute. The serum had both short- and long-term effects on her skin texture. Right away, her skin looked hydrated—so much so that the forehead lines she’s self-conscious about looked smoother under makeup—and after using a whole bottle, her lines softened altogether. 

Taylore, tester with combination/dry skin: “This serum left my skin incredibly bouncy, making for a smooth canvas under makeup or just a bare face. My complexion was radiant and dewy from the moment I applied, and it had a solid impact over time.”

Best for Mature Skin

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

$25

$19 at Amazon$25 at Ulta$25 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, amino acid complex, ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.67 oz

We won’t lie, this formula is the thickest of the bunch (so it may not be the best for very oily skin types), but it actually does plump skin on contact—concealing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Once you get past the texture and the way it feels on the skin for the first few minutes, we think you’ll love it. Our tester with combination skin certainly did; she said that her skin was noticeably more hydrated, plump, and moisturized after each use. Mature skin types will also love that it addresses dryness and dullness in their skin tone with the help of a proprietary amino acid complex and ceramides.

Toral, tester with combination skin: “My skin definitely felt more hydrated after consistently using this product. My fine lines (which tend to appear more when my skin is dry) improved and seemed to appear plumper.”

Best Budget

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

$10 at AmazonView on SephoraView on Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, B5 | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.01 oz

We highly recommend this popular hyaluronic acid serum for those looking to test out the buzzy ingredient on a budget this summer. Our tester with combination/oily skin liked this formula’s consistency, noting that it struck the perfect balance between runny and thick. Plus, because the formula contains niacinamide, which targets dark spots and reduces signs of aging, her skin looked much more even-toned after the testing period.

Toni, tester with combination/dry skin: “From the start, I appreciated how easy it was to apply, and the results were noticeable and efficient. The most striking improvements were around my lips and fine lines around my eyes. Each application felt refreshing and deeply moisturizing without any heaviness, making it a joy to use daily.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$23

$18 at Amazon$23 at Ulta$20 at Target

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, B5, ceramides | Skin Type: All, especially dry | Size: 1 oz

Loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (also known as panthenol), and ceramides, this serum helps bind moisture to the skin’s surface, giving it a rush of hydration. It’s great for sensitive skin because it’s packed with hydrating ingredients, but doesn’t contain additional actives that might cause irritation. It’s especially great for those struggling with a damaged skin barrier or those wanting to address fine lines and wrinkles. Our tester with mature skin, Samantha, noticed a few creases around her nose and mouth before using this serum, and after weeks of applying it daily, the lines softened, leaving her skin looking smoother and more youthful. 

Samantha, tester with combination skin: “I keep getting compliments on my skin—specifically the texture—which is huge for me since dewy and radiant are not words I would have previously used to describe it. I also like that I can apply makeup directly after applying. It doesn’t make me feel sticky or tacky; it goes on smoothly and sinks into the skin nicely.” 

Best for Oily Skin

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Serum

$38 at Amazon$38 at Sephora$38 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acids, silk protein, vitamin B5 | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

Glow Recipe—a brand we know and love at Byrdie—has done it again. We can’t get enough of the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, which consists of five HA molecular weights for an ultra-hydrating and plumping effect. If you’re looking for an oil-free formula, look no further. It’s deeply hydrating while still lightweight, so you can have youthful, glowy skin without worrying about breakouts.

Shannon Stubbs, Byrdie writer: “This plumping, juicy serum has a slightly jelly consistency that sinks into the skin easily, leaving the complexion noticeably softer and smoother. It made my dry skin feel efficiently hydrated and immediately soothed any tightness.”

Best for Dry Skin

Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster

$39

$38 at AmazonView on DermstoreView on Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients:  Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, plant extracts | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.5 oz

Although hyaluronic acid is generally great for dry skin, some formulas are more hydrating than others. During testing, we found this one to be super effective at improving dryness. The application process was easy and quick. Our tester said the serum instantly absorbed into her skin; she didn’t have to wait for it to dry at all. Plus, she couldn’t feel it sitting on her skin from the moment it was on. It instantly improved her dryness and made her skin feel softer. And pilling is virtually nonexistent with this product, which should please those who wear makeup often.

Lauren, tester with combination skin and some very dry patches: “Once I started using the serum regularly, my skin began feeling softer. I will be adding hyaluronic acid into my routine going forward because of how nice my skin felt while using it.”

Best for Damaged Skin Barriers

Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%

$17

$17 at Amazon$17 at Ulta$17 at Target

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

You can reap the benefits of four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for under $20 (win-win). It’s smart to use a formula with several options because each molecular weight absorbs into a different layer of the skin; for example, some penetrate wrinkles, while others sink deep into the skin’s barrier. This affordable pick also leans on glycerin (a hydrator) and vitamin E (an antioxidant) to relieve dryness and help maintain a healthy skin barrier.

Our tester, Bianca, shared that the serum helped keep her skin calm and nourished when using potent active ingredients like retinol. Because it’s so fluid, it takes a few minutes to really sink in, but once absorbed, it doesn’t leave a residue or cause other products to pill. 

Bianca, tester with combination skin: “This serum makes my skin feel ultra-hydrated without layering anything on top. My skin looks dewy and healthy but never oily.”

Best for Radiance

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

$325 at Amazon$325 at Sephora$325 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, purslane | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.33, 1 oz

A longtime favorite of Byrdie editors and testers, this hyaluronic acid serum is one we consistently recommend. The formula contains a proprietary blend of several molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for a short-term plumping effect and long-term hydration. The brand says it’s been tested and proven to have the optimal concentration and viscosity to penetrate the skin, which our tester, Lauren, appreciated during application. She noted that the watery consistency glided smoothly across her skin, leaving her with a glass-like finish. The addition of purslane (an antioxidant high in fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E) reduces skin irritation and promotes a calm, even-toned, and glowy appearance. 

Lauren, tester with sensitive skin: “There was a period early in testing when I was due for a Botox appointment. Of course, no serum or product can be compared to Botox, but right after I applied this serum, it helped fill in some of the fine lines on my forehead and made my skin appear smoother.”

Best for Redness

Kiehl’s Ultra Pure 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$40

$36 at Amazon$40 at Sephora$40 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz

When you have sensitive skin prone to redness, it’s wise to opt for products with simple, gentle ingredients, like this serum from Kiehl’s. Formulated with just seven ingredients, including potent hyaluronic acid, it helps skin retain moisture to keep it healthy-looking. Our tester, whose skin is prone to redness, appreciated the refreshing sensation the serum provided on her skin. It was lightweight upon application and never irritated her or caused more redness; rather, it helped to visibly even her skin tone. Her only complaint is that it sometimes pilled underneath makeup or moisturizer. Our tip: Allow the serum a few minutes to fully dry before applying other products.

Chrissy, tester with dry, redness-prone skin: “The biggest improvement I’ve noticed after testing this product is that the look of my redness is so much better. I’m able to skip makeup and not feel as uncomfortable. There’s also less dryness, and wrinkles are less obvious—my face is smoothed out.”

Best Lightweight

Drunk Elephant Hydration Serum

$54

$52 at Amazon$54 at Sephora$54 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5, pineapple ceramides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.69 oz

This thin, watery formula absorbs in seconds—immediately plumping and hydrating the skin—making a beautifully smooth base for makeup like foundation and concealer. It also works nicely with other serums and creams, should you decide to keep your skin bare. Our tester loved the packaging, too, citing that it keeps the product free from contamination (unlike other serums on this list that require you to dip a dropper in and out of a bottle). While it wasn’t our tester’s favorite long-term, she enjoyed the daily flood of hydration.

Aamina, tester with oily skin: “It did improve the immediate appearance of my skin, so it works great as skin prep for makeup. However, there was no improvement over time—my skin stayed the same, more or less.”