Editor’s Tip: To increase its hydration, mix this into your serum or moisturizer (but not sunscreen).
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol | Who It’s For: People who want to streamline their a.m. routine
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum
Why It’s Worth It: In addition to its hero ingredient, CeraVe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum contains the brand’s classic trio of ceramides (ceramides AP, NP, and EOP, a.k.a. lipids naturally found in the skin barrier) as well as pro-vitamin B5 to help maintain skin’s moisture levels, and, in turn, amp skin’s hydration levels even more. Dr. Marchbein likes that it’s fragrance-free, which helps minimize redness and irritation.
Editor Tip: It’s substantial enough that you don’t always have to follow it with moisturizer (unless you want to). Alternatively, in the morning, you can go straight to sunscreen or a double-duty moisturizer with SPF.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 | Who It’s For: Anyone with reactive or sensitive skin
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a hyaluronic acid serum do?
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. “We can inject hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin to help restore lost volume, but used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration.” (In fact, you can quite literally get hyaluronic acid fillers at your board-certified dermatologist’s office, but we’re just talking about the topical formulations in this story.)
You’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in the hydration of your skin with use, 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.
Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?
With their non-irritating nature, hyaluronic acid serums are generally usable across multiple skin types, including sensitive skin, according to Dr. Sink. To get the most benefits out of your serum experience, she shares her preferred application method. “Hyaluronic acid serums are best applied to slightly damp skin and before applying other products,” Dr. Sink explains. “Moisturizing with a thicker cream or serum afterward can help lock in hydration.”