Wrinkles? Dryness? Saggy Skin? These Dermatologist-Recommended Serums Will Fix It All (2025)

Just three to four drops of this mega-moisturizing serum twice a day is enough to replenish and revitalize dull, dry skin. This formula is perfect for those with sensitivity since, in addition to the HA (at 0.3%, it's slightly lower than others on our list), it also contains vitamin B5 to further soothe and smooth.

You'll also find La Roche-Posay’s signature ingredient in there, a prebiotic thermal spring water rich in selenium and ceramides that's sourced in France and has been shown to calm irritation and redness. That makes this serum an excellent option for those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

For all those reasons and more, our testers voted this one as the best of the best. "As someone with combination skin, finding products that hydrate my skin without the oily feeling afterward can be tough," says editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert. "This lightweight formula makes it easy to get soft, moisturized skin without making me look greasy or shiny."

Also worth noting: a small amount of this super serum goes a long way, meaning that one bottle might last you between a few weeks to two months. It's the best-case scenario for your skin and your wallet.

Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums

Dr. Jeffy calls the L'Oréal Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum a “good drugstore option” that provides an almost immediate plumpness when you apply a few drops in the morning and at night.

WH beauty director Brian Underwood agrees: “For the price, you really can't beat this serum,” he says. “It absorbs instantly, which is a huge plus for me. My T-zone tends to be on the oily side, so I can't deal with a product that's too sticky—and a lot of the hyaluronic acid serums I've tried have been just that. This one—the exact opposite. My skin always feels so much more hydrated after using it, but it's definitely not for those days when your complexion is really parched. So, I'd say if you have extremely dry skin, you may need something with a bit more power.”

The product contains three molecular weights of HA at a concentration of 1.5 percent, and each one is designed to have a different benefit. Micro HA is present to smooth skin texture and add plumpness to your complexion, while macro HA traps moisture into the skin. Micro epidermic HA helps the product absorb into your skin quickly, saving you a little bit of time in your routine and throwing some hydration your way when you really need it.

Take it from us: a good skincare product doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a more powerful hyaluronic acid serum at this price point, but with its four molecular weights of HA (this is to help hydrate the skin more effectively), the Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% delivers.

"A major gripe I have with most HA serums is that they're sticky," says senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson. "But this one is the perfect consistency and saves my skin from dryness due to cold weather and washing."

The serum also incorporates ingredients like vitamin E to protect against free radicals and give your skin a healthier glow, while glycerin helps the skin absorb and hold moisture. On the flipside, it contains one of the highest percentages of HA on our list, so if you have particularly sensitive skin, make sure to do a patch test before you smear it all over to spare yourself any potential irritation.

The brain behind the brand BeautyStat is a cosmetic chemist himself, which explains exactly why the brand's Triple Plump Coconut Milk Serum is so expertly formulated. The milky serum uses ingredients like coconut milk and glycerin to promise “a next-level thirst trap glow,” and that’s not exactly a wild exaggeration.

“This has been a newer addition to my routine and, for a serum, I was very impressed with how hydrating it is,” says Underwood. “I can definitely see someone who is on the drier side not needing a rich moisturizer after using this. That's probably because it contains other moisturizing ingredients like coconut milk and by virtue of the fact that this has a milky consistency and not a gel-like one.”

Despite all of these pluses, Underwood has one gripe: “The dropper is a bit tricky to use, especially at first. You have to unscrew the cap, take it fully out of the bottle, squeeze the top, reinsert it, and then dispense. And when you do, not a lot of product comes out. I eventually go the hang of it, but it took some time to figure it out—and my fiance stopped using it altogether because he thought it was broken. His loss.”

“SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen is my all-time favorite,” says Dr. Khalifian of this recently reformulated product, which now packs twice as much HA as it did before (though the brand isn't specific about how much is in there, which is a bit frustrating).

It’s not just the amount of HA, though, that makes it worth the money. Dr. Khalifian says the HA here actually has increased bioavailability versus other options he’s seen on the market, meaning it could have a more pronounced effect when used consistently. “It [also] contains antioxidants that help reduce redness and stimulate collagen production—and even has collagen that supports the stratum corneum of the epidermis.”

Together, these ingredients amp up the hydration and radiance factor the product promises. It won’t pill under your moisturizer or SPF, either. “It feels very natural, like your skin is perfectly hydrated,” says Dr. Khalifian. “It’s not too heavy, and it’s not too light. It applies smoothly.”

Of course, the cost can be prohibitive for some, but when you consider the bottle is nearly twice as large as the others on our list (two ounces versus one for most), you realize you are getting more for your money.

Sure, hyaluronic acid is best known for its ability to hydrate even the driest of skin, but sometimes dry skin isn't the only thing you're looking to address. If you're in the camp of people who are in need of something that can address a slew of different skincare concerns (but you still want to minimize the amount of products in your overall routine), Skin Pharm’s Youth Serum has you covered.

Yes, the price tag is a little steep, but this is a major multitasker that can handle anything from skin dullness to fine lines, so it's almost like you're using three or four serums bottled up as one—which makes it all the more worth it.

In addition to the HA in the formulation, you’ll also find niacinamide, which is known for smoothing uneven texture and tackling redness and irritation. Potassium azeloyl diglycinate also calm redness while fading dark spots at the same time. Have acne? There’s a bacteria-fighting peptide in there, too. “The hydration is unbelievable,” writes one reviewer. “Goes on easily and feels amazing! Radiance in a bottle.”

“I personally love the Eight Saints Pep Rally HA Facial Serum with green tea to reduce inflammation and as a stable form of vitamin C to support collagen that absorbs well and feels light on the skin,” says Dr. Jeffy of this plant-based option. “Eight Saints is all-natural and features clean ingredients.”

What does that mean exactly? This non-toxic brand doesn’t formulate with a handful of nasty chemicals that are known irritants or can cause health risks, including formaldehyde, parabens, and oxybenzone, among others. It does contain MCM, though, which is a sulfur compound that’s been getting some beauty buzz as of late.

In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, MCM also can make the skin more permeable, thus compounding HA’s plumping and hydrating effects.

Meet the Experts

• Saami Khalifian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics.
• Brooke Jeffy, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of BTWN.

When do I apply my hyaluronic acid serum?

This is key: “It’s important to ensure the correct order of layering products, especially with a hyaluronic acid serum,” says Dr. Khalifian. For best results, cleanse your face well before applying a few drops of serum to damp skin “so it absorbs into skin,” says Dr. Jeffy. Wait a few minutes and then follow with a moisturizer to seal everything in. Most serums can be applied up to twice daily.

Read more about the best skincare products

Best Vitamin C Serums | Best Niacinamide Serums | Best Serums For Mature Skin | Best Retinol Alternatives | Best Eye Creams For Wrinkles | Best Foam Cleansers | Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers | Best Moisturizers With SPF