Hyaluronic acid is a 'game-changer for aging skin' — I put 5 under $50 to the test: Review of The Ordinary, L'Oréal, Neutrogena & more
When I hit 45, keeping my skin hydrated became a real challenge. As a breast cancer survivor who was put into early menopause as part of my treatment, I started to notice lotions that once kept my skin looking fresh and dewy were falling short.
Around that time, I discovered hyaluronic acid, which has been an absolute skincare game-changer. The potent product is so effective at keeping moisture in that one dermatologist calls it a "moisture magnet." I've always been a big fan of The Ordinary's affordable hyaluronic acid formula, but recently, I've been wondering about some of the other brands getting rave reviews. In particular, I was eager to give the Eva Longoria-approved favourite from L'Oréal a try, as I was already a fan of the brand's Revitalift moisturizer.
In total, I spent the past four months using five different hyaluronic acids — and I was a bit surprised by which one really stood out from the pack. I also reached out to a few experts to get their thoughts on these products. Did they agree with my assessments? Read my full reviews below for all the details.
Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist, says that hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring sugar molecule found in our skin and connective tissues. Berry calls it a "moisture magnet" with the power to pull hydration into skin. Berry also says it holds "up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which helps keep skin plump, dewy and hydrated." She also explains that the lightweight and non-comedogenic qualities of the acid make it a great option for all skin types, including oily or acne-prone skin.
Dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon calls the acid a "game-changer for aging skin," because it improves the look of fine lines by trapping moisture in the skin's cells for a plumped, youthful look.
While anyone can use hyaluronic acid, it can be especially beneficial for those going through menopause, where a depletion in estrogen can lead to drier, thinner skin. Berry says that's when hyaluronic acid can really help to "replenish lost moisture and maintain elasticity."
Berry recommends applying the product on damp skin and "sealing it in with a moisturizer to prevent it from pulling moisture out of your skin." She also says if you are a regular user of products that contain retinoids, hyaluronic acid is a "great buffer to help maintain the hydration" these ingredients can often deplete.
As someone nearing 50, I put 5 affordable hyaluronic acid products to the test. Check out my honest review — and scroll down to see what the experts think.
There's nothing ordinary about The Ordinary. This was the first hyaluronic acid I ever tried — and I've been obsessed with this ultra-affordable serum for years. A little bit of this lightweight formula goes a long way, and the moment it touches my face after cleansing, my skin gets an immediate moisture boost. In addition to five types of hyaluronic acid, it also contains pro-vitamin B5 and ceramides that help keep that much-needed moisture locked in. For regular daily use, this product is the way to go. The only downside? I wish it was offered with a pump dispenser.
My under-eyes have been rejuvenated thanks to Grace and Stella's Energizing Eye Masks, so I couldn't wait to give the brand's award-winning hyaluronic acid a try. This vegan serum is packed with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, citric acid and panthenol to help maintain active hydration all day long. Also, it comes in a pump dispenser that makes application neater and more controlled. While I love my go-to from The Ordinary, I think the pump dispenser might actually give this one a bit of an edge. What can I say, convenience is key!
L'Oréal Revitalift is a line of products that have worked wonders on my middle-aged skin, and their hyaluronic acid is no exception. With 1.5% pure hyaluronic, this serum is hands down the best of the best. I now understand why it's the first product Eva Longoria puts on her face each morning, calling it the "basis of [her] skin." Longoria says, "You can't lay good makeup on bad skin," and credits the Revitalift series of skincare products as skincare products she "can't live without." And honestly, I couldn't agree more. It feels a little thicker than the other products, which is exactly what my super dry face needs. It has micro-epidermic hyaluronic acid, which can penetrate deeper into the skin to improve the look of wrinkles. Sometimes, this was the only product I used at bedtime, and I would wake up to plumper skin. You also don't need to use a lot of it to see a difference. Count this as one celebrity-loved product that actually lives up to its claims!
This fragrance-free serum is great for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. While I don't mind the formula it wasn't my favourite. I needed to use it more liberally on my more mature, dry cheeks. While it contains both macro and micro hyaluronic acids to help lock moisture in all day long, but by midday, I felt like my face was less hydrated than with the other formulas. That said, I brought it with me on a recent trip to Florida, where it provided just the right amount of hydration amidst the humid weather — so it's a good option for summer.
There is no skincare brand I use more than CeraVe. The dermatologist-tested and developed brand always delivers. A few pumps of this gel-cream moisturizing serum are all you need to lock in hours of hydration. With three essential ceramides, highly concentrated hyaluronic acid as well as B5, this formula kept my skin from drying out on one of the coldest days of the winter. That being said, I don't like the texture of it as much as the others, which are more gel-like. Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome product and works incredibly well on my over-40 face, but I ran out of it before the others, and for me, that's a bit of a turn-off.
Berry told Yahoo Canada that if you have normal to oily skin, she recommends the Neutrogena Hydro Boost serum. She likes that it's "lightweight, layers well under makeup and gives a nice hydration boost without feeling sticky." However, for dry or sensitive skin types, she would recommend CeraVe's hyaluronic acid as the ceramides "support the skin barrier." She's also a fan of L'Oréal's Revitalift hyaluronic acid, which she says is "great for aging skin since it uses different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for deeper hydration."
Chacon told me that The Ordinary is a "great brand" — calling out their "transparency in ingredients" and "high-quality formulations" — and she praised their hyaluronic acid for "keeping skin hydrated and plump." She also praised CeraVe's serum for its ceramides which "help support the skin's barrier and overall skin health."
While each one of the five brands tested added much-needed moisture to my tired skin, there was a clear favourite me as a 48-year-old mom of two.
1. Without a doubt, L'Oréal Paris 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid was the runaway winner. It felt great on, noticeably boosted my weary skin, and kept my complexion fresh into the wee hours of the night. Do I wish the thick glass bottle were a little lighter? Sure. But regardless, it's coming with me on all my upcoming trips.
2. Coming in at a solid second is Grace & Stella Hyaluronic Acid. The lightweight formula feels refreshing on my clean skin, and the pump dispenser prevents me from using too much. As a breast cancer survivor, I also appreciate the product's clean ingredients.
3. A super close third is the first hyaluronic acid I ever used: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% and B5. I love all of the brand's high-quality, affordable products, and for everyday use all year long, this hyaluronic acid is an absolute must.
4. Of course, one of my favourite skincare brands has created a solid product with their CeraVe Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid. Its convenient plastic packaging means no worrying about a fragile glass container that could break. That said, I didn't love the texture of this one — which is why it lands in fourth place.
5. Rounding out the list is Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum. When I travel to Florida this summer, this super light formula will work well in the hot and humid weather — but I prefer a thicker formula for day-to-day in Canada.
The experts:
Dr. Asmi Berry, board-certified dermatologist, DO, FAAD
Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist, MD, FAAD
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I've tried sulfur spot treatments before (we all know Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion), but most are combined with exfoliating acids that have been too harsh for my sensitive skin — triggering more redness and, eventually, peeling. According to The Ordinary, Sulfur 10% offers a 'more gentle approach to targeting blemishes,' and the brand claims it's ideal for those with sensitive skin. As someone with both, I saw this as a challenge. Fortunately, Dr. Laftah tells me that sulfur is generally considered less potent than benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid — two popular spot-busting ingredients — which makes it more suitable for mild acne rather than moderate to severe cases. If you fall into the latter camp, she suggests those stronger ingredients might be a better fit. But if you only experience the occasional breakout, sulfur could be your best bet. How do you use The Ordinary's new sulfur spot treatment — and is it any good? When I received this product last month, I had the largest and most painful breakout right in the middle of my nose. I never thought I'd say this, but it couldn't have come at a better time — so I made a beeline for Sulfur 10%. The opening where the product dispenses is tiny, making it almost impossible to make a mess. I simply tapped a little onto my index finger, carefully brought it up to my nose, pressed it onto the spot, and gently massaged it in until the powder transformed into a cream and then disappeared. The trick is to rub it in — just tapping it on only goes so far. From personal experience, you really have to work the product in to see a real difference in redness and size. Almost immediately, the redness began to fade. Much like translucent powder — my go-to trick for minimizing the look of breakouts without concealer, which can appear cakey — The Ordinary says the smart formula helps absorb excess oil and reduce visible shine. 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