Best overall
CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream
8.8Excellent
A fragrance-free ceramide and petrolatum cream that remains the default barrier moisturizer for dry face and body skin at a drugstore price.
Cream5$19.99
Hydrators· in 25 products
Hyaluronic acid
Also listed as Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and Sodium acetylated hyaluronate
Moderate evidence 0.1–2%
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule the body makes naturally that can bind large amounts of water, used in serums and moisturizers to hydrate and plump the skin's surface. It is very well tolerated and works for nearly all skin types.
25HaHyaluronic acidHydrators
What it does
The short version.
Applied to skin, hyaluronic acid draws water into the outer layer, temporarily smoothing and plumping the look of fine dehydration lines. High-molecular-weight forms sit on the surface and form a moisture-holding film; lower-weight and hydrolyzed forms penetrate somewhat further. Its effects are mainly surface hydration rather than structural change, and it works best when sealed in with a moisturizer.
Moderate evidence
Hydrating effects are well documented in short clinical studies; claims about deeper anti-aging effects from topical (non-injected) hyaluronic acid rest on limited, mostly industry-funded data.
In our directory: It’s a key ingredient in 25 products we review, most often moisturizers and serums. Those products are mostly built for hydrating, dullness and barrier repair. In formulas, it most often shares the label with glycerin, niacinamide and squalane.
Reach for it for
Usually a good fit for
How to use it
Getting it right.
Apply to slightly damp skin morning and/or night, then follow with moisturizer to seal in water, especially in dry climates.
Layering
Friends & frenemies.
Before you start
Very low irritation risk. In very dry air, a hydrating serum without an occlusive moisturizer on top may feel tight; layer a cream. Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers are a separate medical procedure.
References
- 1Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging — Dermato-Endocrinology (2012), via PubMed
- 2Hyaluronic Acid in Topical Applications: The Various Forms and Biological Effects of a Hero Molecule in the Cosmetics Industry — Biomolecules (2025), via PubMed
Educational, not medical advice. Ingredient guides summarise published research and expert guidance; formulas and concentrations differ between products.
25 products
Every product with hyaluronic acid.
25 products
Best overall
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
8.6Excellent
A fragrance-free, non-foaming ceramide cleanser that cleans without tightness — the default pick for normal to dry and sensitive skin.
Cleanser4$15.99
Best overall
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Halo Glow Liquid Filter
8.3Great
A $15 liquid glow booster in 15 shades, widely compared with Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter for a fraction of the price.
Highlighter5$15.00
Derm favorite
CeraVe
SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin
8.3Great
A fragrance-free salicylic and lactic acid cream with ceramides that reliably softens rough, bumpy skin for a drugstore price.
Cream4$25.99
Derm favorite
CeraVe
Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
8.2Great
A 4% benzoyl peroxide wash cushioned with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — an easier-to-tolerate BPO cleanser for breakouts.
Cleanser4$17.99
Best value
Timeless Skin Care
20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
8.1Great
The best-known budget take on the C + E + ferulic formula: 20% L-ascorbic acid for $27.95, if you can keep it from oxidizing.
Serum5$27.95
Best value Trending
The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
8.1Great
The viral red 10-minute at-home peel: strong, cheap and effective on texture, but only for experienced, non-sensitive skin.
Peel5$9.50
Community favorite Trending
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
8.0Great
The dermatologist-office staple for acne- and rosacea-prone skin: light, fragrance-free and niacinamide-boosted, at a premium price.
SPF 465$46.00
Cult favorite Trending
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
7.9Good
The K-beauty hydration staple: 96% snail mucin in a lightweight, fragrance-free essence that most skin types tolerate, at a fair price.
Essence5$25.00
Medik8
Crystal Retinal 6
7.9Good
A gentle, well-formulated 0.06% retinal night serum for regular vitamin A users, priced well above budget retinal alternatives.
Serum5$87.00
Bumble and bumble
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer
7.8Good
A six-oil leave-in primer spray that detangles, softens and adds heat protection to 450°F plus UV filters, at a salon-brand price.
Leave-in5$34.00
Best value Trending
Bioré
UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 (US formula)
7.8Good
The US-legal take on Japan's cult watery sunscreen: light, invisible and cheap, but fragranced, alcohol-based and not the Japanese formula.
SPF 505$15.99
Community favorite
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
7.7Good
The benchmark 15% vitamin C + E + ferulic serum, backed by strong data and derm loyalty, at a price many find hard to justify.
Serum5$185
Viral Trending
Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm
7.7Good
A cushiony, glossy vegan lip balm in a squeeze tube that comforts dry lips; loved for feel and flavors, pricey for the size.
Lip balm4$24.00
Viral Trending
Biodance
Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
7.6Good
Viral overnight hydrogel mask that leaves skin plump and dewy by morning, though reviewers call the glow a short-term boost.
Sheet mask4$19.00
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
7.6Good
The long-wear matte icon, reformulated in 2026 with 36-hour claims and skin-balancing actives; longtime fans are split on the change.
Foundation5$52.00
La Roche-Posay
Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum with Melasyl + Niacinamide
7.6Good
A dark-spot serum pairing La Roche-Posay's new Melasyl molecule with 10% niacinamide; promising brand data, mixed real-world results.
Serum5$44.99
Clinique
Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
7.6Good
A refreshing, oil-free aloe and hyaluronic acid gel-cream that excels at light, fast hydration rather than heavy barrier repair.
Gel-cream4$48.00
Olaplex
Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Shampoo
7.6Good
A gentle, bond-building daily shampoo that suits damaged and color-treated hair, priced well above most rivals.
Shampoo5$34.00
ILIA
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
7.6Good
A dewy serum skin tint with 12% zinc oxide SPF 40 in 30 shades, made with sensitive skin in mind; coverage is light.
SPF 405$48.00
Community favorite
Sol de Janeiro
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
7.5Good
The cult pistachio-caramel body cream: fast-absorbing and irresistibly scented, but firming results are modest for the price.
Cream5$48.00
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
7.5Good
A hydrating, low-strength PHA + BHA toner that smooths and refines pores gently, at a premium price for its acid dose.
Toner5$36.00
Splurge
Drunk Elephant
Protini Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer
7.3Good
A fragrance-free peptide gel-cream with nine signal peptides and amino acids, pleasant to use but hard to justify on price alone.
Gel-cream5$72.00
Trending Trending
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Gel
7.2Good
A cooling, weightless hyaluronic acid water gel made for normal to oily skin, though it contains fragrance and Blue 1 dye.
Gel5$29.99
More hydrators