Find the best hyaluronic acid moisturizer for your skin type, skin condition, and budget! Overall, my top recommendation is Peter Thomas Roth.
The market is saturated with moisturizing skincare products and it’s hard to figure out what truly works best for your skin type.
Thankfully, nature and science have blessed us with hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring sugar molecule that increases hydration and prevents transepidermal water loss (Healthline).
It’s used as an ingredient in different skincare products and is rich in moisturizing properties.
Read on to discover the best hyaluronic acid moisturizers to quench your thirsty skin!
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Did you know that one cloud contains an average of 500,000 kilograms of water? With its 30% hyaluronic acid complex, Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer is the about the closest you can get to achieving that level of hydration.
This hyaluronic acid cream uses pentavitin, a naturally-derived plant extract that mimics the skin’s natural hydration process and strengthens the skin barrier. Its effects don’t wash off, either - so you’ll experience up to 72 hours of moisture with just one use! (Cosmetic Ingredients)
The Peter Thomas Roth Cloud Cream also uses three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, ensuring that the different layers of your skin are equally pampered with long-lasting hydration. Hydrolyzed silk then conditions your skin and gives you a smoother complexion.
Other notable ingredients include:
The product has over 3,000 reviews on Amazon with 80% giving it the full 5-stars. Users of all skin types rave about its lightweight and non-greasy texture, with some saying it feels like applying a literal cloud of moisture onto their skin. Just be careful when purchasing from Amazon as several reviewers mentioned receiving fake products.
Our Verdict: At just $30/oz, you can experience a cloud of softness with the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer and its unique mix of hyaluronic acid complex, pentavitin, and hydrolyzed silk!
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Experience the full power of pure hyaluronic acid when you use the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream!
Hyaluronic acid is known as the key molecule involved in skin moisture as it can bind and retain water molecules to the skin (Papakonstantinou, 2018). Vichy builds upon this by adding even more hydrating ingredients to their hyaluronic acid cream, including:
At $20/oz, the formula is a hit for those with dry and dehydrated skin types. A company study with 52 women showed that 90% of users attested to its long-lasting hydration, while 80% agreed that it produced plump and dewy skin.
The Vichy hyaluronic acid moisturizer also has no parabens, silicones, or oils but it does have fragrance, making it a hit or miss for sensitive skin.
Our Verdict: With over 1,500 reviews and 75% 5-stars on Amazon, the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream is a godsend for sensitive skin as it uses pure hyaluronic acid, plant sugar, and volcanic water to help the skin retain moisture.
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Multi-taskers are great and all, but there’s nothing like having products that are tailor-fit for your needs. That’s where the EltaMD AM & PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer comes in.
A premium dermatology brand that highlights science-based formulations, EltaMD devised two hyaluronic acid moisturizers specifically for day and night use. Both have hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to keep skin plump and hydrated, but there are notable differences on their ingredient lists.
The EltaMD AM Moisturizer contains:
Meanwhile, the EltaMD PM Moisturizer has:
The AM has fewer emollients than the PM since it’s meant to stay comfortably under sunscreen and makeup. Accordingly, the PM is the thicker moisturizing cream as it’s designed to repair and restore the skin’s moisture levels through the night.
Both moisturizers have nearly 4,000 reviews and over 80% 5-stars each, which speaks to the consistency of their performance on all skin types. Those with acne-prone and sensitive skin are especially appreciative of the AM since it’s lightweight and gentle.
Just be sure to steer clear of expired products on Amazon.
Our Verdict: Achieve perfectly hydrated skin from day to night with the EltaMD AM & PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer and their specialized formulations on top of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Pro tip: you can save over $10 when you purchase the duo instead of buying the moisturizers individually.
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Not everyone can be a k-pop idol, but the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream could help you look like one.
This moisturizer uses sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. It works well with hippophae rhamnoides water, a source of vitamins B, C, and E that promotes collagen formation (Paula’s Choice).
Other key ingredients include:
This gentle formula is designed for dry and dehydrated skin and excludes ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. It doesn’t break the bank at $6/oz and several users point out that a little goes a long way.
Some reviews state that the COSRX intensive cream feels more like a thick gel so it can make you look a tad greasy. You can avoid this by applying it on damp skin and patting it in until it dries. You can also use a mattifying powder on top of the cream during the day to help you achieve a healthy (not oily) glow.
Our Verdict: The COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream could help you achieve the superstar skin of your dreams as it employs 3% hyaluronic acid, hippophae rhamnoides water, betaine, and macadamia nut oil.
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The Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is one of the pricier ones on this list but it's backed up by excellent reviews and a formulation approved by board certified dermatologist, Howard Murad.
Its advanced hyaluronic acid technology uses sodium hyaluronate and coconut extract to relieve and revive dry skin. The former keeps the skin moisturized from underneath the surface while the latter is a humectant that helps retain skin hydration.
Meanwhile, shea butter protects the skin from UV and free-radical damage.
Other ingredients include:
This impressive line-up gained the Murad moisturizer some 500 reviews on Amazon with a whopping 85% 5-star rating. Though some complained that its texture was a tad too thick, many point out that it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.
The catch? It’s $45/oz.
Our Verdict: Invest in the ultimate moisture experience with the Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and its impressive list of hydrating and balancing ingredients!
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Say goodbye to wrinkles as you say hello to La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Yeux!
This eye cream plumps and hydrates the skin around your eyes using dual weight hyaluronic acid. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid works at the epidermis level to smooth your skin’s surface while sodium hyaluronate battles visible signs of aging from within.
Glycerin restores skin elasticity as La Roche-Posay thermal spring water soothes the skin around the eye area. Meanwhile, caffeine reduces under-eye circles and puffiness.
This minimal ingredient list ensures that the product doesn’t irritate the sensitive eye area. However, some complain that it feels too gentle and they don’t see a significant improvement in their dark circles and fine lines.
Regardless, over 70% of 800 reviews gave it 5-stars on Amazon.
Our Verdict: The La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Yeux is the hyaluronic acid eye cream that will help you walk away from crow’s feet and dry under-eyes.
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Finding the right moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin may seem difficult, but the Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer makes it easy for you!
This is the second Vichy moisturizer on this list, but this Phytoaction treatment sets itself apart by using 2% salicylic acid to treat blemishes even as it hydrates.
It also uses:
Meanwhile, hydrating hyaluronic acid and sodium polyacrylate bind water up to 1000x their mass to the skin as Vichy volcanic water fortifies the skin. This means that you don’t have to worry about the normally-drying effects of salicylic acid, kaolin and zinc.
Over 75% of 1,500 reviews gave Vichy the full 5-stars as users attest that it’s a multi-tasking skin care staple. People with oily skin shared that the light lotion texture of the product doesn’t leave them greasy and that it worked great for both their day and night skin care routine.
However, there were complaints about the strong fragrance.
Our Verdict: At $20/oz, the Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer can clear acne, improve skin tone, calm inflammation, and keep your skin feeling moisturized!
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