Katie Thomas , Senior Beauty Editor says; "Whenever friends with pigmentation problems approach me for skincare advice, I always steer them in the direction of this serum. It was a standout winner in our awards, with judges seeing impressive improvements." What is a face serum? Hyaluronic acid is an active ingredient in skin care products that works by increasing hydration (water content) in the skin. More specifically, it’s a humectant, which means it retains moisture. There are many humectants to choose from, but hyaluronic acid is considered the gold standard for reducing dryness. Rsearch suggests that both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C help moisturize and smooth skin, even out redness and discoloration, repair skin, and reduce signs of aging. It leaves a little residue behind on your hands. Also, while the serum has a subtle and pleasant scent, you’ll want to be mindful of the added fragrance if you have sensitve skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that’s naturally present in high levels in the skin. It helps protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) sun and other environmental damage.

Home Bargains kit says it is designed to "promote cell moisture retention for smoothed and glowing skin", as well as "energising dull and fatigued skin for a renewed appearance." This is a great option to keep on hand if you have acne-prone skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help tamp down the redness that often comes along with breakouts. A 2020 randomized controlled trial involving 50 women found that, compared to a placebo, applying a 20% vitamin C serum daily for 2 months improved skin color, elasticity, and radiance while reducing wrinkles.Hung MJ, Tsai CP, Lin YH, et al. Hyaluronic acid improves pain symptoms more than bladder storage symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;58(3),417–422. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2018.11.033

The testing process itself was straightforward but comprehensive. We prepared by familiarizing ourselves with hyaluronic acid, reading and following the manufacturer’s recommended instructions, and performing a spot test to rule out any irritation or reaction.

Level up your skincare game with the best hyaluronic acid serums for glowing, hydrated skin

Dereure O, Czubek M, Combemale P. Efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid in treatment of leg ulcers: A double-blind RCT. J Wound Care. 2012;21(3):131-139. doi:10.12968/jowc.2012.21.3.131

After eight weeks, we were more than pleased with the results: Smoother skin texture, a soft-to-the-touch complexion, and a glass-like glow. It also performed nicely underneath makeup, creating a smooth, pill-free base for foundation, concealer, and contour. Our only complaint is that the bottle can seem small—especially when you consider the price. Thankfully, after eight weeks, we’re happy to report that there’s still more than enough left in the bottle, so you really get your money’s worth. Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster With Ceramides is free of potential irritants like fragrance, parabens, and drying alcohols. We didn’t experience any irritation from using this serum, and we didn’t expect to because it contains soothing ingredients like vitamin B5 and ceramides. Over time, your body’s stores of hyaluronic acid decline. Age is one reason, research shows, but environmental factors — such as smoking and air pollution — also accelerate this process, according to another study. That’s the bad news.

Ortonne J. (1996). A controlled study of the activity of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. DOI: Hyaluronic acid has become something of a beauty buzzword and not without good reason. It may sound like something you'd use with a Bunsen Burner in a GCSE science class, but it's actually the one ingredient you need to add to your skincare routine, ASAP.