Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 | Who it’s for: anyone with reactive or sensitive skin
Best for Dark Spots: Superegg Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum
Why it’s worth it: Superegg’s Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum features the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid paired with emollient bio desert oil (a strain of fermented yeast that fortifies the barrier) to seal in moisture. This clear, viscous serum features microcapsules that preserve the active ingredients—like niacinamide and collagen-stimulating plant stem cells to brighten your overall complexion—until they come into contact with your skin.
Editor’s tip: This formula is fragrance-free and has a gentle, mild formula that’s delicate (yet effective) on skin. Hussein says it’s one of her favorite HA serums for its souped-up formulation that won’t irritate her reactive skin. “This serum tackles my dryness, dark spots, and fine lines all at once without causing redness—it’s like a green juice for my skin,” she says.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, probiotics, plant-derived stem cells | Who it’s for: everyone, including sensitive skin types
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Known as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is “great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, tells Allure. Even though we naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our bodies, as we age, those quantities decrease (similarly to collagen), so our skin becomes dehydrated more easily.
With consistent use of hyaluronic acid, you’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in the hydration of your skin, Jacquelyn Sink, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure. “Long-term benefits are seen as early as two weeks with continued improvement through several months,” she adds. All year round, our skin craves moisture to counteract a rainbow of skin-care concerns, such as sun exposure, signs of aging (like fine lines), loss of elasticity, and dehydrated skin.
As with all ingredients, over-the-counter, topical products don’t have the same benefits as prescriptions or in-office treatments—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t incorporate them into your skin-care routine. “We can inject hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin to help restore lost volume, but used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration.” You can quite literally get hyaluronic acid fillers at your board-certified dermatologist’s office.
Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?
With their non-irritating nature, hyaluronic acid serums are generally usable across multiple skin types, including sensitive skin, according to Dr. Sink. To get the most benefits out of your serum experience, she shares her preferred application method. “Hyaluronic acid serums are best applied to slightly damp skin and before applying other products,” Dr. Sink explains. “Moisturizing with a thicker cream or serum afterward can help lock in hydration.”