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Like a tall glass of water, hyaluronic acid hydrates dry, dehydrated skin.
Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient in many of the top wrinkle-fighting creams, which is why it deserves a spot in every man's skincare routine, especially as you age. So, what is hyaluronic acid, and what it makes so effective at combatting wrinkles?
Hyaluronic acid is a well-studied humectant, which means it retains and pulls in moisture into the skin. The substance is naturally found in many areas of the human body, including the skin, eyes, and synovial fluid of the joints. Hyaluronic acid is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water, which makes it an excellent hydrating ingredient when added to skincare.
Don't let the word "acid" scare you—hyaluronic acid doesn't burn or sting. It's extremely gentle on the skin and has an unbelievable ability to retain moisture, so it's a great ingredient for dry or sensitive skin that lacks hydration. Generally speaking, wrinkles are caused by dehydrated skin, since we tend to lose moisture and elasticity as we age. HA replenishes that moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines, leading to plump, hydrated skin.
To put it plainly, hyaluronic acid is a skincare superhero, which is why you see it listed as an ingredient in so many skincare products, from cleansers to moisturizers and everything in between. But if you want to soak up all the mega-hydrating benefits of HA, you'll want to pick up a hyaluronic acid serum. With so many HA serums flooding the market (pun very much intended), you may be feeling lost as to what HA serums deliver the highest levels of hydration. We've got you covered, which is why we tested and rounded up the best of the best hyaluronic acid serums for men below.
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It's hard to beat this Hyaluronic Marine™ Hydration Booster from Dr. Dennis Gross in term of pure hydration. Hyaluronic acid teams up with moisture-boosting watermelon extract, centella asiatica, and marine algae to provide a plump finish to the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
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This highly concentrated antioxidant serum is a fantastic all-in-one anti-aging serum. It's formulated with a stable, active form of 12-hour vitamin C that helps to brighten and firm while providing lasting hydration. As a result, it reduce signs of aging from the inside out, increasing collagen production, brightening and moisturizing dry and dull skin.
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Not all hyaluronic acid is created equally. This serum from Allies of Skin utilizes multiple forms of hyaluronicacid (low molecular weight, high molecular weight, and botanical polysaccharide) to deliver concentrated moisture deep into fine lines wrinkles. Even more, this formula prevents the breakdown of natural hyaluronic acid, which trains the skin over time to retain moisture better. Skincare that makes your skin smarter? Sign us up.
We already know that hyaluronic acid an impressive anti-aging skincare ingredient, but this serum takes it to the next level. Formulated with one of the smallest form of hyaluronic acid which purportedly penetrates eight skin surface layers deep, it targets the visible effects of skin-aging stressors for youthful, healthy-looking and hydrated skin.
Although hyaluronic acid is extremely gently on the skin, some serums are made with tons of additional ingredients in order to maximize the benefits, which may end up irritating sensitive skin. This simple formula contains a very basic yet effective blend of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, which together infuses the skin with hydration while strengthening the skin barrier.
If you're looking for a simple, straightforward hyaluronic acid, this aptly named Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum from The INKEY List will do the trick. It contains 2% multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to locks in moisture alongside a patented peptide to encourage natural collagen production and visibly plump skin. Apply to damp skin after cleansing to maximize the moisture levels in your skin.
This serum contains a generous 5% of four different molecular weights of pure hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin across multiple cellular levels. Dry skin will love the deep hydration, while combination skin will appreciate the gel-like texture.
Searching for softer, smoother skin on a shoestring budget? Try Cerave's Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which happens to be both cost-effective and just overall effective at improving the appearance of wrinkles. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and three essential ceramides, your skin will immediately feel more moisturized and balanced after applying this lightweight serum.
Boost your skin's natural hyaluronic acid levels with Medik8's Hydr8 B5 Intense. The silky-smooth multi-weight hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 are stellar when paired together, but this formula takes it one step further by adding a triple-action booster complex and natural moisturizing factors, which bolster your skin's natural ability to retain moisture. The result? Increased hydration, with fine lines visibly plumped and smoothed.
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If adding a serum to your skincare routine makes it feel overwhelming, we suggest this 2-in-1 serum and moisturizer with 2% hyaluronic acid. It absorbs into the skin quickly and the gel-based texture is perfect for oily skin. With 3% niacinamide and 2% squalane, it will leave your skin feeling fresh and hydrated without the shine.
For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top hyaluronic acid serums for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce and Senior Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan have tried dozens of hyaluronic acid serums and evaluated them for their effectiveness, texture, and skin benefits. We also considered top-reviewed hyaluronic acid serums that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.