The best affordable hyaluronic acid serums to hydrate, soothe and calm skin
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You don’t need to spend a lot to find a good hydrating serum. Here, we round up the best formulas that won’t break the bank.
Whether you’re a skincare buff or a bit of a beauty novice, you’re likely to be aware of hyaluronic acid.
The ultra-hydrating ingredient has caused a buzz in the beauty world in the past five years, promising plumper, bouncier and more juicy-looking skin. But what is hyaluronic acid, and do you need to shell out a fortune for a decent one?
What is hyaluronic acid?
Despite the name, hyaluronic acid isn’t your typical skincare acid. It’s a naturally occurring compound in the skin. As we age, our levels of hyaluronic acid deplete, resulting in dullness, fine lines and thirsty skin.
When added to our skincare routines, the gentle ingredient is suitable for all skin types, as it’s designed to hydrate, soothe and calm skin. Fine lines are left plumped and softened, breakouts and scars heal faster and skin looks brighter, clearer and healthier.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it retains and preserves moisture levels. Unlike moisturisers, which act as a barrier against trans-epidermal moisture loss (locking in hydration so that it can’t escape), hyaluronic acid acts as a ‘moisture magnet’, drawing hydration deep into the skin’s dermis. In fact, one gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six litres of water, retaining 1,000 times its own weight, making it one of the most effective hydration boosters around.
Because of its ability to attract moisture, using hyaluronic acid before applying any other serums or moisturisers will bolster any hydrating properties your other skincare has.
Of course, there are many different types of hyaluronic acid serums at many different price points. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great, affordable options out there.
Here we’ve rounded up the best affordable hyaluronic acid serums that guarantee major hydration – all under £30.
Best affordable hyaluronic acid serums under £30
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
As well as hyaluronic acid, CeraVe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains the brand’s signature three essential ceramides to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. Perfect for those with dry or dehydrated skin types.
Shop CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum at lookfantastic, £23
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster
This hyaluronic acid contains 11 skin-boosting ingredients, including 89% Vichy thermal mineralising water, the brand’s signature ingredient. It has a gel-like consistency that strengthens the skin barrier and is gentle enough to use around your eyes – and if you do, pop it in the fridge beforehand for an extra-soothing finish.
Shop Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster at Boots, £28
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum
Featuring a thirst-quenching trio of squalane, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this is designed to max out hydration. Skin will instantly slurp up the jelly texture, leaving cheeks looking juicy without a greasy finish.
Shop e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum at Boots, £13
Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%
If you’re on the oilier side and looking for something lightweight, look no further than this vegan gel containing four different molecular weights of the star ingredient to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin.
Shop Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% at Space NK, £18
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This clever serum contains 2% hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights, meaning that it can penetrate and hydrate every layer of skin, plumping and hydrating all skin types and textures.
Shop The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum at Cult Beauty, £9
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
There’s a good reason this hyaluronic acid is so hard to get hold of: it works. The sell-out serum has reached cult status thanks to its soothing, multi-weight hyaluronic acid and added boost of vitamin B5 to further increase its efficacy.
Shop The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 at Cult Beauty, £15.50
Bubble Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum
Yet to try Gen Z’s buzziest skincare brand? This serum is a perfect place to start. Jam-packed with hyaluronic acid, barrier-building peptides and brightening niacinamide, dewy skin is guaranteed after a bottle of this.
Keats The Hydrating Serum
This features the same plumping powers – and unique texture – as buzzy snail mucin, without containing the ingredient (vegans, rejoice!). It features hyaluronic acid, as well as soothing snow mushroom and glycerin for a plump finish. It’s also fragrance-free, so suitable for those with reactive skin.
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
PDRN (aka, polydeoxyribonucleotide – quite the tongue-twister) is undeniably the It ingredient of the moment. This K-beauty serum blends the salmon DNA with 3% hyaluronic acid and hydrolised collagen to smooth rough texture and leave you with a ‘lit from within’ glow. Expect to see any dry scaly skin gone after a few drops.
Shop Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum at LookFantastic, £20
Images: courtesy of brands
