10 best hyaluronic acid serums that are cheap yet effective

Everything you need to know, plus the best to buy.

best hyaluronic acid serum

by Samantha Price |
Updated on

Introducing the best hyaluronic acid serums into your skincare routine is an easy way to bring back moisture to your skin. If you haven't heard about the powerhouse ingredient, now's the time to get on board. It may sound scary, but this hard-working hydration hero is one of the best face serums for healthy skin.

It's actually a natural substance that we produce, and it's responsible for retaining moisture throughout the body. So, if your skin is feeling dehydrated, dry and dull, hyaluronic acid is your best bet. In fact, your skin will appear firm, plump and radiant in no time at all.

Sometimes also found in the best vitamin C serums, this natural ingredient works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, reduce scarring and even out the skin tone. Talk about a triple threat. An essential for your skincare routine, some of the benefits also include promoting collagen production for anti-ageing effects.

Closer's best hyaluronic acid serums at a glance:

Best hyaluronic acid serum: Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £24 on Beauty Pie

Editor's choice: Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum, £37.12 on Cloud 10 Beauty

Best highly rated hyaluronic acid serum: CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £17.99 on Amazon

Best budget hyaluronic acid serum: The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £7.99 on The Inkey List

Although it goes without saying, hyaluronic acid is up there with some of the best skincare products. So, if your skin needs a boost of hydration, consider this holy grail serum. From skincare giants like CeraVe and The Ordinary, here are the best around.

SHOP: The best hyaluronic acid serums that are cheap yet effective

Best hyaluronic acid serum

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients to treat dry, dehydrated and textured skin. The Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Beauty Pie uses three different molecular levels of hyaluronic acid to target different layers of the skin to see a much plumper and firmer appearance after the first use. This must-have serum is also made with ceramides to transform and boost the skin's natural barrier and help to banish any unwanted texture. Craving some much-needed hydration? This serum is definitely one to add to your routine.

Customer review: "Been using for 4 weeks now, can see and feel a noticeable difference. I've always suffered with dry, textured skin that never felt smooth to touch, but now my skin feels super soft and looks really healthy. A little goes a long way too, so great value for money."

Pros

  • Super hydrating formula
  • Targets different levels of the epidermis

Cons

  • The glass bottle makes it hard to travel with

Best highly rated hyaluronic acid serum

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Price: £25.78
Alternative retailers
Walmart$14.81View offer
Target$19.29View offer
Ulta$25.99View offer

Containing three essential ceramides, vitamin B5 and hyaluronic, this CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum is packed with skin-loving ingredients. It's also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't block your pores and is unlikely to irritate even the most sensitive skin. A winner all round, it's a favourite on Amazon from a trusted skincare brand that you know will deliver unmatched, long-lasting results.

Customer review: "I have repurchased this product so many times! It is a great, simple, and affordable hyaluronic acid for your skincare routine. I have dry/combo skin and do not want anything that will conflict with my acne medicine or moisturizer. CeraVe is a very dependable brand as well!"

Pros

  • Uses patented MVE controlled release technology
  • Free from fragrances and suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

  • Consistency thick for some customers

Best budget hyaluronic acid serum

This is a great starting point if you're new to the ingredient because The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum formula is a brilliant budget option. Quench your skin's thirst by using this every morning, and you won't be breaking the bank with this reasonably priced, highly sought-after serum either.

Customer review: "Smoothed my skin so much, always use every single night without fail. Keep up with it and you'll definitely see a change and improvement in skin texture! Love."

Pros

  • Starts at a reasonable price point
  • Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free

Cons

  • May not be suitable for sensitive skin

Editor's choice

The Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum is results-driven and contains a powerful peptide which stimulates collagen and elastin long-term to promote plump skin. While niacinamide works to improve uneven skin tone, reduces the impact of environmental damage and plays a role in helping skin to repair signs of past damage.

Our review: "If you have sensitive skin like me, Ella & Jo's Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum will work a dream. Despite being lightly scented with a subtle fresh orange scent, I've had no irritation with this whatsoever. I have combination skin, but at times I need an extra boost of hydration as my skin gets really dry in the winter. Let me tell you, my skin practically drinks this up. It adds a light radiant glow, your skin appears more plump, and its fast absorbing formula means it's the perfect base when applying your makeup."

Pros

  • Absorbs quickly into the skin
  • Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

  • Hard to come by on the high street

Best upcoming hyaluronic acid serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Concentrated Serum

Rrp: £26.00

Price: £24.94
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Despite being new on the scene, Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Concentrated Serum is already making waves on Amazon. Having been formulated with dermatologists, its fragrance-free formula works to provide intense moisture and encourage hyaluronic acid production for plump-looking skin.

Customer review: "I have used Neutrogena products for a long time as they suit my sensitive skin well. I also like hyalurounic acid for my acne scarred skin. This serum feels great on my skin. It absorbs easily and leaves my skin feeling well moisturised. It hasn't caused any adverse reactions which is great. My skin does feel very smooth. I only need a couple of drops to cover my face. It is sightly expensive but should last a long time. I would buy this again as it works well for my skin."

Pros

  • Contains provitamin B5 and prebiotic technology
  • Has a lasting matte finish

Cons

  • Packaging could be improved

Best popular hyaluronic acid serum

L'Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Filler Serum

Rrp: £24.25

Price: £21.37
Alternative retailers
PrettyLittleThing US$21.50View offer
Walmart$33.00View offer

A number one best seller for a reason, the L'Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Filler Serum plumps skin with moisture and helps smooth wrinkles too, it's a miracle worker. This super-concentrated serum is the ideal addition to any skincare routine, regardless of your skin type. Apply before moisturiser to flood the skin full of hydration, improve the appearance of dryness and encourage radiance.

Customer review: "I have recommended it to so many different people because I think it's such a good product, and whilst I don't think any product out there will ever give you the effect of a brand-new face, this comes pretty close in my opinion and has given me a confidence in my skin that I haven't felt since my pre-pregnancy days!"

Pros

  • Contains three different types of hyaluronic acid
  • Validated with dermatologists

Cons

  • The glass bottle makes it hard to travel with

Best recommended hyaluronic acid serum

The Ordinary HA 2% Hydration Formula
Price: £25
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One of these serums sells every second worldwide, and it's clear to see why. It really is one of the best hyaluronic serums you can buy, we love this highly recommended HA 2% Hydration Formula from The Ordinary. Delivering glass-like skin with its triple hyaluronic acid formula with added vitamin B5, your skin will thank you.

Customer review: "After using for a week I could see a difference within the texture of my skin. My skin is now even and has a refreshing glassy glow when in the morning. Doesn't add much oil onto my skin aswell."

Pros

  • Contains three different types of hyaluronic acid
  • Also contains vitamin B5

Cons

  • May apply sticky on skin at first

Best hyaluronic acid serum for sensitive skin

Whether your skin is feeling dry or looking dull, applying the Bondi Sands Thirsty Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great way to intensely moisturise and plump. This non-comedogenic formula won't block pores, and its fragrance-free, dermatologically tested formula won't irritate even the most sensitive skin.

Customer review: "I am in love with Thirsty Skin. I purchased this at the start of the year and immediately fell in love. It makes my skin feel so soft and refreshed. I love that it does not have a strong scent. It leaves my face feeling hydrated without a sticky residue. I will definitely be keeping this product in my skin care routine."

Pros

  • Non-comedongenic formula
  • Enriched with algae extract

Cons

  • Hard to get out of the bottle

Best hydrating hyaluronic acid serum

A blend of two molecules of hyaluronic acid to treat different layers of the skin, the Nip+Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 2% Hydration Concentrate is designed to plump and hydrate all skin types. Formulated with a blend of four active moisturising ingredients such as polyglutamic acid and tremella to add a shot of hydration, it's also fragrance-free, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Customer review: "Really good moisturising concentrate - I have very oily skin, so I use a lot of salicylic and glycolic acid products in my skincare routines, and this product is great for making sure I get moisture back into my skin without generating more oiliness. You only need three teeny drops of it, and it doesn't leave a sticky residue, unlike some similar products. Absorbs very quickly as well."

Pros

  • Formulated with a blend of four active moisturising ingredients
  • Contains two different types of hyaluronic acid

Cons

  • May need to apply often to see results

Best hyaluronic acid serum for under eyes

The L'Oréal Paris 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum has amassed a following of celebrity fans, including Molly-Mae Hague and Mary Bedford, for its soothing, de-puffing and hydrating properties. The cooling applicator glides over the skin to gently de-puff and calm as the hyaluronic acid and caffeine serum hydrates and treats dark circles.

Customer review: "A lot of people don't know that dark circles can actually be due to lack of hydration under the eyes and this eye serum has 2.5% hyaluronic acid which helps to lock in the moisture in the eye area thus helping to lighten the area."

Pros

  • Can be used day or night
  • Cooling applicator works to soothe and calm the under eyes

Cons

  • May feel sticky on application

What is hyaluronic acid?

It's a naturally occurring substance found in the skin, joints and eyes, known for its ability to attract and hold 1000x its weight in moisture. Basically, it's a moisture magnet. So, using products that contain it, including the best hyaluronic acid serums are a great way to make sure you have gorgeously hydrated skin.

How should you use a hyaluronic acid serum?

Before moisturising and just after cleansing, apply one of the best hyaluronic acid serums to clean skin morning and night or whenever you're in need of a hydrating boost. If you're looking to add a hyaluronic acid to your routine, you'll be following in the footsteps of Love Island's Mary Bedford, who revealed that L'Oréal's hyaluronic acid serum is her holy grail skincare product.

Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Closer magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.

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