Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 | Who it’s for: anyone with reactive or sensitive skin
Best for Dark Spots: Superegg Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum
Why it’s worth it: Superegg’s Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum features the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid paired with emollient bio desert oil (a strain of fermented yeast that fortifies the barrier) to seal in moisture. This clear, viscous serum features microcapsules that preserve the active ingredients—like niacinamide and collagen-stimulating plant stem cells to brighten your overall complexion—until they come into contact with your skin.
Editor’s tip: This formula is fragrance-free and has a gentle, mild formula that’s delicate (yet effective) on skin. Hussein says it’s one of her favorite HA serums for its souped-up formulation that won’t irritate her reactive skin. “This serum tackles my dryness, dark spots, and fine lines all at once without causing redness—it’s like a green juice for my skin,” she says.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, probiotics, plant-derived stem cells | Who it’s for: everyone, including sensitive skin types
Best for Dry Skin: Paula’s Choice Boost Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Why it’s worth it: A single pump of Paula’s Choice concentrated Boost Hyaluronic Acid Booster goes a long way. This gel-like serum pairs hyaluronic acid with ceramides and soothing panthenol to address dryness and dehydration. Mix it into your serum or moisturizer for an added boost of hydration. You can even use it around the eyes, combined with an eye cream, to quickly minimize the appearance of fine lines.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol | Who it’s for: people who want to streamline their morning routine
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Known as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is “great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, tells Allure. Even though we naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our bodies, as we age, those quantities decrease (similarly to collagen), so our skin becomes dehydrated more easily.
With consistent use of hyaluronic acid, you’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in the hydration of your skin, Jacquelyn Sink, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure. “Long-term benefits are seen as early as two weeks with continued improvement through several months,” she adds. All year round, our skin craves moisture to counteract a rainbow of skin-care concerns, such as sun exposure, signs of aging (like fine lines), loss of elasticity, and dehydrated skin.