The best hyaluronic acid serums of 2024 for bouncy, super-hydrated skin

RRP: £26

The Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is the overall best hyaluronic acid serum you can buy. The main USP is that it only has 11 ingredients, making this hypoallergenic formula suitable for all skin types. It makes a great addition to a skincare routine for sensitive skin as it won't cause irritation or clash with other ingredients in your routine. While it only has 0.4% HA, the formula contains 89% Vichy Thermal water, which is another super-hydrator, making the combination a serious thirst-quencher. 

This has a slightly thicker gel texture, so it could benefit from a slightly damp face to help it sink in better – we also like to follow on quite promptly with a HA-rich moisturiser to leave skin feeling comfier and to lock in that moisture. 

Buy if: You want the best of the best
Avoid if: You don't like a sticky texture

RRP: £24.99

While the Vichy is an industry leader, this L'Oreal buy is the first serum that really made us really get HA serums, after a pretty ‘meh’ attitude to them. From the first couple of uses, we noticed that our skin looked smoother, plumper and generally just quenched and content. We put that down to the potent 1.5% concentration, which really does make a noticeable difference to the bounce of skin – really, in a matter of seconds. Our skin always just looks a little sadder when we're not using it. 

The texture is great too – not too watery, not too gel-like - it sinks in really quickly. Our skin always feels content with or without the follow-up of a day cream. We also just love that it's so affordable, and it's often on offer, so you can stock up for £10 if you time it right – that's what we always do. 

Buy if: You want a strong concentration
Avoid if: You don't like dropper bottles

RRP: £83

The Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Serum is expensive, but its texture and long-lasting effects make it a worthy investment if you have a little more to spend. Unlike some hyaluronic acid serums which can leave skin feeling a little tight or slimy, this one goes on like a thick gel that leaves an almost-instantaneous glow. 

We also love the addition of niacinamide, making it a true all-rounder if you want skin to look plump and moisturised but also reduce texture and fine lines. The serum includes HA in a mix of molecular weights, meaning it penetrates more deeply into the different layers of your skin. 

Buy if: You're looking for an all-rounder
Avoid if: You'd rather stick to drugstore options

RRP: £45

We’re huge fans of all of the brands’ serums – we think they’re the best La Roche products (maybe a very close second place to their SPFs). Our Senior Beauty Editor's skin can be prone to irritation, especially in the winter seasons, so she can always rely on this to keep her skin quenched but still content. That's also because it includes Vitamin B5, which helps repair skin, while the HA gets to work on hydration. 

The other good thing about this formula is that it has two sizes of HA molecules, which gives hydration and different levels of your skin cells. Essentially, the HA droplets are both small and big, so some will sink deeper into the skin, while some will stay closer to the surface, for multiple levels of hydration. It's super smart, and super effective.

Buy if: You want a hypoallergenic option
Avoid if: You don't like dropper bottles

RRP: £45

We’re huge fans of all of the brands’ serums – we think they’re the best La Roche products (maybe a very close second place to their SPFs). Our Senior Beauty Editor's skin can be prone to irritation, especially in the winter seasons, so she can always rely on this to keep her skin quenched but still content. That's also because it includes Vitamin B5, which helps repair skin, while the HA gets to work on hydration. 

The other good thing about this formula is that it has two sizes of HA molecules, which gives hydration and different levels of your skin cells. Essentially, the HA droplets are both small and big, so some will sink deeper into the skin, while some will stay closer to the surface, for multiple levels of hydration. It's super smart, and super effective.

Buy if: You want a hypoallergenic option
Avoid if: You don't like dropper bottles

RRP: £67

This has a gorgeous silky texture that sinks in beautifully, which we think is a factor in the slightly high price point. You don't have to spend this much to get the best hyaluronic acid serum, but if your budget permits, this really is a gorgeous option – it's one of our all-time favourites. If you've been put off by the sticky, snail-like texture of other HA serums, you'll love this – it feels like a real treat to apply. 

We're also mega fans of the matching face cream – the combination of both is our holy grail for hydration. When skin is particularly parched, using both always brings it back to life. 

It also has the second benefit of blue algae, which gives skin protection from blue light damage, if you're partial to hours of scrolling (ahem).

Buy if: You want added blue light protection
Avoid if: You're on a budget

RRP: £67

These potent capsules contain Elizabeth Arden's trademarked Zero H2O Technology. This essentially means the HA molecules are a lot smaller than many of the best hyaluronic acid serums and do a far better job of getting into deeper layers of the skin to hydrate, rather than sitting on the surface. 

Capsules haven't always been the most eco-friendly choice, but these are biodegradable and are as handy as individual pods always are. We love that they contain a perfectly sized amount of the serum to cover the face and neck so there's no temptation to pump too much out and waste product unnecessarily. The texture of this is thicker than your average serum, which makes it more spreadable. The fact these also contain ceramides, which replenish the skin barrier, is the cherry on top. 

Buy if: You travel a lot
Avoid if: You're more eco-conscious 

RRP: £28.90

Lumene's Nordic Hydra features three forms of hyaluronic acid, but is also packed with a selection of nourishing Nordic ingredients such as birch sap and arctic spring water. For the price, the packaging feels very luxe, and despite the inclusion of Nordic algae it feels silky and not sticky. 

We love this option for its naturally-derived, nourishing formula that absorbs quickly and can be used day and night. It's free from nasties and also has a fresh, cooling feel on the skin that makes it perfect for a hydrating daily top-up.  

Buy if: You want a natural, vegan formula
Avoid if: You just want hyaluronic acid

RRP: £21

CeraVe's offering is different to all of the other HAs on this list – it has a creamy, almost moisturiser-like texture. This really surprised us when we first tried it, especially when we were comparing it to all the others side by side. 

Its texture means it's great for super dry skin that needs all the moisture it can get its hands on. If you have oily or congested skin, you might not like the thickness and the slightly heavy texture. However, we'd argue you could skip day cream and go straight to SPF after using this, as we have countless times before. 

Buy if: You prefer a cream
Avoid if: You want a lightweight texture