This Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Is Your Skincare Savior This Winter

We updated this article in November 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our top-rated picks, selected by the Beauty Lab, include new additions from Olay, RoC and Mary Kay.

Consider hyaluronic acid serums the tall glass of water of skincare. Praised for its moisturizing benefits, hyaluronic acid (a.k.a. HA) comes in a variety of skincare products. Often listed as sodium hyaluronate on product ingredient lists, its effects prove both immediate and long-term. "The ingredient conditions skin and works as a humectant that draws moisture into skin," says Good Housekeeping Institute Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. "It helps combat dryness and [dull skin], and restores suppleness."

Though a gold standard ingredient for hydrating dry skin, hyaluronic acid can work on all skin types, from oily skin to sensitive skin. In narrowing down the greatest options out there, we rounded up our Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab's top-tested picks, plus ones that GH staffers and dermatologists use in their own routines. Just a dropper away, give skin its first defense against dryness with the best hyaluronic acid serums, below.

Our top picks:

You can read more about how we evaluate hyaluronic acid formulas in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect formula — at the end of this guide.