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Hydrating Serum For Oily Skin
Caitlyn Martyn is a beauty and style trade editor based in New York. Caitlyn has covered makeup, skin care, hair care, fashion and wellness topics for media outlets such as , InStyle, WhoWhatWear, Mindbodygreen, Well + Good and more.
Organix Mantra Hyaluronic Acid 2% Serum For Intense Hydration, Glowing Skin & Fines Lines
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York who specializes in the most advanced facial rejuvenation techniques. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is a Castle + Connolly Senior Doctor and Super Doctor of NY 2021-2023.
Chances are you’ve caught a whiff of the skincare industry’s favorite ingredient: hyaluronic acid. This powerful humectant can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which is why it’s often a key ingredient in serums meant for dry skin.
“Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that exists naturally in the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Claire Wolinsky, MD. “When a hyaluronic acid serum is applied to the skin, it can attract and retain water, leading to a plumping and hydrating effect.” While hyaluronic acid doesn’t directly stop the signs of aging, the plumping effect can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And regardless of your skin type, she adds, regular use of a hyaluronic acid serum can lead to a healthier, plumper skin appearance.
If you’re ready to add a hyaluronic acid serum to your skincare routine, we’re here to help. After hours of research and consulting experts for their recommendations, we tested 27 serums over eight weeks, taking into account absorption, overall hydration and whether or not we noticed a plumping effect. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
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Review: “My skin texture is so different after eight weeks of testing this hyaluronic acid serum. My chin acne is less inflamed, and my entire face is smoother and more even. My skin glows after applying it and it stays that way the whole time. The day also lasts as long and my face has never been more hydrated.”
Amanda experienced an easy application – the formula absorbed into her skin almost instantly, leaving a refreshing and hydrating feeling afterwards. She found it to be surprisingly light and liked that it left no residue or stickiness, which mitigated the possibility of pilling under makeup. In terms of ingredients, this one contains hyaluronic acid, peptides (an ingredient that increases skin elasticity, increases collagen and improves the overall appearance of the skin) and a proprietary extract called BioMarine.
How to use: Apply a few drops to clean skin morning and evening. Using circular motions, gently massage onto face and neck until fully absorbed. Top with a facial moisturizer (and SPF for daytime use).
Review: “The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum softened and smoothed my skin over time. It felt like I’d been using a rich moisturizer every night – that’s how moisturizing it is. I’m not sure about the saturation effect, however, it did Skin looks younger. I’m not always the best with my skin – I often go out in the sun and swim in pools and lakes – but this serum did a great job of keeping my skin hydrated.”
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Jodi shared that she liked the consistency of the formula, noting that it struck the perfect balance between fluidity and thickness. Plus, because the formula contains niacinamide, an ingredient that targets dark spots and discoloration, Jodi noted that her skin looked much more toned after the test period.
How to use: Similar to the Isdin product, the brand recommends applying a few drops to clean skin in the morning and evening before the rest of the serums and creams.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Licorice Root Extract, Purple Rice Extract, Proxylan | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz.
Review: “This Hyaluronic Acid Serum from SkinCeuticals looks harsh when it comes out of the dropper, but it absorbs so quickly into the skin and feels much lighter than it looks when you apply it. Once I started using it, my skin started to improve almost immediately. About a week after the test, my husband touched my face and said, ‘Wow, your skin is so soft.’ Over time, my skin became even softer.”
Chemist At Play 11 Kda Hyaluronic Acid With 10% Niacinamide Hydrating Face Serum, For Dry,
Plumping was another benefit Julie saw when testing the serum. She noted that although she didn’t have many deep wrinkles, the few fine lines she had around her forehead and eyes seemed to have softened a bit. Her skin has “a new life to it,” she said, especially around her cheeks, where she noticed more fullness and glow. The formula contains hyaluronic acid (duh), brightening licorice root extract, purple rice extract (which helps skin better absorb hyaluronic acid), and proxylan, a proprietary ingredient that hydrates, plumps, and increases skin elasticity.
How to use: Apply four to six drops to the palms of your hands and rub onto the forehead, cheeks, chin and neck up to twice a day. If used in the morning, the brand says to apply after a vitamin C serum and before sunscreen. If used at night with a retinol serum, the brand says to apply after the retinol.
Review: “My skin felt much more hydrated overall after using this serum. It didn’t make my T-zone look any brighter than it already does, while it targeted the dull, dry areas of my skin.”
Emma didn’t notice a plumping effect, however, her skin appeared more refreshed during the test period, going so far as to call it “glowing”. The consistency of the serum is similar to a thin lotion, but does not run when applied; instead, it absorbs quickly into the skin and penetrates deep into the pores. This makes sense, since the formula consists of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (a moisturizing provitamin) and ceramides, which are lipids that help strengthen and hydrate the skin’s barrier.
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How to use: Shake before use. At any time of the day, apply a small amount of the product to dry skin after cleansing and toning. Follow up with a moisturizer (or SPF if daytime).
Review: “Housed in a tumbled bottle, this serum has a consistency that lies somewhere between an oil and a gel. It sinks into the skin well and leaves me feeling soft, with no stickiness or residue. After four weeks of testing the with this serum, skin stays hydrated longer and my forehead texture is smoother.”
Cara said the serum took almost no time to absorb. It never felt like she had to wait for it to dry before switching to her moisturizer and sunscreen. Plus, it layers well; never placed under skincare, foundation and concealer.
How to use: After cleansing and toning, use the dropper to apply three to four drops to your hands. Then, gently press it into the skin. The brand recommends pairing it with its other serums (Super Pure and Super Glow) for maximum benefits.
Best Serums For Oily Skin
Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, B5, thermal spring water | Skin Type: Mature, Dry, Sensitive | Size: 1 oz.
Review: “This serum from La Roche-Posay is very light and once absorbed into the skin, I didn’t feel it at all. It took about 30 seconds to fully sink in, and in that time, I’d be up to something. Otherwise, like brushing my hair, after the full test period, I noticed that the lines around my eyes were less visible and this area of my face looked plumper, seeing as this is my fattest area. wrinkled, even a small change is amazing.
Jenni noted that the serum left her face feeling fresh and clean after applying it, and she never experienced any pilling when applying moisturizer or face makeup. The slippery consistency wasn’t her favorite, but it was never runny and never made a mess. The formula was safe for her acne-prone skin, which makes sense considering it’s packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin B5 and the brand’s proprietary thermal spring water.
How to use: The brand recommends applying three to four drops of this serum to clean skin in the morning, making sure to follow with a moisturizer and an SPF.
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Review: “Once I started using the serum regularly, my skin started to feel smoother. I will be adding hyaluronic acid to my routine moving forward because of how great my skin felt while using it.”
The application process was super easy and quick. Lauren noted that the serum absorbed immediately into her skin without having to wait for it to dry. Plus, the second it was on, she couldn’t feel it – she was too impressed. As for the pill, it’s practically non-existent with this product, so those who often wear makeup will love to hear that.
How to use: The brand suggests dispensing two to three drops of the product into the palm of your hand and then patting it into the skin. Add a few more points for the neck and chest. During the day, finish with a moisturizing cream