Derms Say These 10 Hydrating Serums Are Dry Skin's Worst Nightmare

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(Image credit: @peonylim)

Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm going to go ahead and guess that you are aware of hyaluronic acid. It's been cropping up consistently in skincare for many years now, and it's also a major buzzword on TikTok and among dermatologists and skincare experts. It's one of those skincare ingredients that is practically ubiquitous at this point—it's in serums, moisturizers, and, heck, even haircare

Even if it appears on ingredient lists on the reg, it's still tricky to know which hyaluronic acid product is best for you. I enlisted derms to help me out in learning how to choose a hyaluronic acid serum, who hyaluronic acid is best for, and more. 

What exactly is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, meaning it retains water. "HA is a chain of carbohydrates that has the ability to hold on to water up to 1000 times its weight," says David Kim, MD, MS, a board-certified dermatologist. "It's an ingredient that helps your skin appear hydrated and plump."

There isn't just one form of hyaluronic acid, either—it comes in different sizes that are able to penetrate different layers of the skin. "Each molecule is assigned a molecular weight, which inversely relates to how deep the molecule can penetrate the skin," says Rina Allawh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, PA. The smaller the molecule, the deeper into the skin it's able to penetrate. 

It may seem like you'd want to go for the hyaluronic acid with the lowest molecular weight possible, but that's not always the case. "The advantage of higher-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid serums are the anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, as it forms a durable film with the top layer of the skin," says Allawh. "A low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid serum is more likely to have a lasting anti-wrinkle and regenerating effect and works in the deeper levels of the skin. As you can imagine, lower-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid serums are able to lock in the moisture in the connective tissue of the skin and, as a result, stimulate firming effects."

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(Image credit: @madisonelainechertow)

Who is hyaluronic acid best for?

Luckily, anyone and everyone can use hyaluronic acid, as it's well tolerated among all skin types. "It is one of the most commonly used ingredients in serums and moisturizers, and it's particularly good for people with oily, acne-prone skin because of its light texture," says Kim. 

"The benefits of hyaluronic acid serums or drops is a combination of hyaluronic acid and water, which in fact helps maximize hydration," says Allawh. "Serums typically contain low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid that easily penetrates to the deeper levels of the skin. An added benefit of small molecule size is that it may be easily combined with other hydrating ingredients such as ceramides and essential fatty acids as well as brightening lactic acid."

Keep reading for the best dermatologist-approved and editor-favorite hyaluronic acid serums out there. 

Editors' and Experts' Favorite Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Best for Dry Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Serum

Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Best for Sensitive Skin: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

Best With Vitamin C: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster

Best to Use With Retinol: Chantecaille Blue Light Protection Hyaluronic Serum

Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Best With Niacinamide: Avène Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum

Best Budget Pick: The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum

The Best Moisturizers With Hyaluronic Acid

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.