5 Incredible Hyaluronic Acid Serums for ALL Budgets!

the best hyaluronic acid serums 2022

Ahh hyaluronic acid you lil’ beauty. One of my favourite ingredients as it just *works* and I pretty much using a hyaluronic acid serum daily now : it’s something I always come back to if I neglect it for a while. I have got into layering two serums : one a straight up hyaluronic serum (something like one of the below) with something a little ‘fancier’ and active. It’s not a buzzword or a new ingredient : hyaluronic acid has been on our radar for a long old time and there’s a reason it has stayed so popular : in short, it gives you nourished, plump and smooth skin.

What is hyaluronic acid and what does it do for the skin?

Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by our bodies and it has an incredible capability of holding x1000 it’s weight in moisture. It replenishes the skin to look healthy, plump and smooth. Hyaluronic acid’s moisture-binding characteristic is exceptionally important when it comes to skin ageing. When we’re young, our skin can hold onto water and retain a balanced amount of moisture, but it loses this ability as we age. The result is a visible loss of firmness, pliability, and a diminished appearance of plumpness and suppleness. Wrinkles and fine lines will appear and look more prominent. In a nutshell, Hyaluronic acid has powerful anti-ageing properties.

It’s not just an anti-ageing ingredient for dry/dehydrated skin however, hyaluronic acid is incredibly gentle and incredibly helpful for ALL skin types, even the most sensitive, redness-prone skin. In fact, it has an ultra-calming effect which means it is also suitable for breakout-prone skin and sensitive skins.

However, environmental aggressors break it down daily ; exposure to pollution and UV rays reduces the amount of Hyaluronic Acid in our skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable. This is where our trusty hyaluronic acid serums step in : these will help replenish the hyaluronic in your skin and ‘top it up’ so to speak.

I’m going to introduce you and chat about 5 of my favourite hyaluronic acid serums that covers a budget range of £6.99 to £68.

the best hyaluronic acid serums 2022 dr Dennis gross hyaluronic acid serum review

Hyaluronic serums – tried & tested!

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£6.99 / 30ml) 

A budget favourite! This is a simple yet oh-so-effective formula that contains 2% pure HA with different molecular weights to penetrate and hydrate the various layers of the skin. This is both affordable and high quality and one of the best budget hyaluronic serums in my opinion. I also like The Ordinary one, which is a similar price – although I know people find this too ‘sticky’ (I don’t!).

It is a gentle serum and is suitable for all skin types to restore balance. Of course, typically ‘dry’ skins will drink this up but oily skin types can often be dehydrated and this can exacerbate excess sebum production.  

L’Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Filler Serum (£24.99 / 50ml)

This is a great low-mid range serum, and of course, easy to pick up anywhere on the high street including Boots and Superdrug. L’Oreal Paris do some fantastic skincare ranges and I think Revitalift is one of their most popular ranges

Formulated with 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid, the serum strives to restore radiance and moisture to your complexion. This serum can improve the illusion of plumper, more toned skin, delivering the powerful ingredient directly to its surface. It has a lovely, lightweight texture and really sits well with any moisturiser I have tried it with. This is also a bigger size than all of the other serums @ 50ml!

L'Oreal Paris recitalist filler hyaluronic acid serum review

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum (£37/ 30ml)

This is my *go-to* hyaluronic at the moment and I LOVE IT! 

This is a bouncy and lightweight serum and gives you plump, bouncy, instantly-radiant skin. This formula has 5 different weights of HA for maximum absorption – so it absorbs wonderfully, it isn’t sticky and layers beautifully with other serums and skincare. It also contains vegan collagen and silk protein to support the skin barrier and fight free radicals. Also, Kakadu, Illawarra and Burdekin plum (I cannot pronounce any of these either) which all contain high concentrations of vitamin C to fight free radicals. Hey, it also has a light scent of plum! Perfect as your fresh, morning serum.

glow recipe plum plump hyaluronic serum review 2022

Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense (£55 / 30ml)

I think this is possibly one of the best hyaluronic serums that money can by. It’s so effective, it feels silky and comfortable and it’s just a flawless formula.

They do an original hyaluronic acid serum – but this is the *supercharged* version. Harnessing all of the hydration power of our best-seller, Hydr8 B5, with added Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF) alongside a potent triple-action hydration booster which recharges the skin’s internal moisture source. This serum will actually HELP kickstart the natural production of hyaluronic acid in the skin!

This will truly give you all-day hydration and is *the one* for when you really need that surge of deep moisture – with a weightless and comfortable feel.

Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster (£68)

This is a professional-strength, time-released concentrate, which infuses the skin with moisture and soothes, hydrates and plumps for a firmer, softer result. DDG always delivers!

It is probably one of the most weightless and lightweight in feel in all the hyaluronic serums I have ever tried…it’s almost watery in look and feel and is not greasy/sticky. The formula contains hyaluronic acid (moisture), evening primrose oil (replenish) and coconut fruit (nourish), watermelon extract (antioxidant) = plump, smooth, dewy skin.

Dr Dennis Gross recommends using the this hydration booster directly to troublesome spots/patches or mixing with your favourite skin care products to enhance their effects.

dr Dennis gross hyaluronic marine hydration booster review the best hyaluronic acid serums 2022

To be honest, I could have probably added another 5 hyaluronic serums to this list : there are some really great ones out there at the moment, and you don’t have to spend a huge amount to get results. That being said they aren’t all the same and you *usually* get more sophisticated formulas as the price goes up (usually!).

It’s definitely worth having a hyaluronic acid serum in your skincare routine somewhere. It’s fantastic to plump and prep your skin for makeup application AND it can be layered in and amongst other serums if you wish. I usually apply it in the AM and depending on my skin I may apply another serum over the top then my moisturiser and SPF. Sometimes it’s just hyaluronic and SPF. I think it definitely is one of those ingredients that really can benefits ALL skin types though so defo get on that hyaluronic serum train!

*This post contains press samples and affiliate links which means I get a small % if you shop through this (at no extra cost to you!)

Shop my top hyaluronic serum here!