Hyaluronic acid has become a buzzy ingredient lately — and for good reason: It holds on to water better than anything else. If your skin has enough hyaluronic acid, it can stay hydrated for days — even in the driest conditions. Products that contain this ingredient tend to be oil-free and gel-like, meaning they’re ideal for oily skin types. Yet they’re so moisturizing, they’re also great for super dry skin. Basically, everyone should have one of these hyaluronic acid moisturizers in their arsenal.
[ Next: 26 Best Moisturizers That Won’t Cause Acne or Clog Pores ]
counter intelligence (March 2017)
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Long-Lasting Hydration
Incredibly lightweight, this gel feels like water on skin, but it's wildly hydrating. In addition to hyaluronic acid, it has aloe to help skin hold on to moisture for up to 72 hours.
L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Moisturizer, $17.99 at Ulta
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For Dry Skin
Neutrogena first came out with a hyaluronic acid moisturizer that was barely-there, making it ideal for oily skin types. This version targets extremely dry skin. It has more moisture, but the same cool gel texture.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Extra Dry Skin, $19.99 at Walgreens
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Lock It In
This fluffy cream has three different sizes of hyaluronic acid for both instant and cumulative hydration. It's also packed with ceramides, which create a protective barrier on skin to keep water from evaporating.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, $52 at QVC
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Natural Option
This natural formulation is like a green juice for your face. It has kale, spinach and green tea to protect and calm skin plus it's loaded with hyaluronic acid for maximum moisture.
Youth To The People Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream, $48 at Sephora
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Irritation Fix
This cream was developed by a dermatologist to soothe irritated skin. It's ideal after a laser treatment or sunburn and thanks to a special cross-linked version of hyaluronic acid, it holds even more moisture: 5,000 times its weight.
Chuda Healing Hydrating Cream, $150 at Chuda
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Herbal Tonic
This gel contains a blend of herbs to protect skin from free-radical damage from things like pollution and UV rays. It leaves behind a pretty, dewy finish and even makes pores disappear.
belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $38 at Sephora
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Lifting and Brightening
This moisturizer does so much more than hydrate. It brightens with vitamin C and lifts and tightens with DMAE and three different types of hyaluronic acid keep skin looking plump for days.
Perricone MD Hyalo Plasma Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Moisturizer, $135 at Perricone MD
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The Original
This entire collection of products, which came over from Japan, is based around hyaluronic acid. The gel cream absorbs instantly and fine lines disappear on contact.
Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream, $16.49 at Target
