10 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums For Acne-Prone Skin

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps bind water to the skin.

It can help improve many skin concerns, including dryness and dehydration, flakiness, texture, and even inflammatory conditions such as acne.

Hyaluronic acid can be a fantastic tool in your acne-fighting skincare regimen, as dehydration can often contribute to acne due to the skin overproducing pore-clogging oil in an attempt to replenish the lack of moisture.

However, while hyaluronic acid isn’t a comedogenic ingredient on its own, not every product that contains it is suitable for acne-prone skin, as some products may contain other clogging ingredients that can exacerbate the issue.

Therefore, if you are looking for hyaluronic acid for acne-prone skin, here are the ten best hyaluronic acid serums to shop:

The Ordinary – Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Best for all skin types.

The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a fantastic hyaluronic acid serum for acne-prone skin that features three types of hyaluronic acid with various molecular weights.

These allow the molecules to penetrate the skin at different depths, ensuring the epidermal layers are equally hydrated and plumped.

Additionally, the serum also contains pro-vitamin B5, another powerful humectant with skin-soothing properties that attracts moisture to relieve dryness and reduce redness and irritation associated with acne.

Lightweight, easily absorbed, and non-sticky the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 by The Ordinary is an excellent addition to an acne-safe skincare regimen.

The Ordinary – Marine Hyaluronics

Best for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Marine Hyaluronics by The Ordinary is the best hyaluronic acid serum for oily acne-prone skin due to its lightweight hydrating, skin-soothing, and anti-acne ingredients such as salicylic acid.

The lightweight, water-like formula helps this product absorb easily into the skin without leaving a greasy or sticky layer behind.

Additionally, the serum is infused with marine derivatives like red, green, and blue algae that attract and bind with water, much like hyaluronic acid; however, but with a lighter consistency.

Finally, the serum also contains several antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredients, such as arginine, glycine, and alanine, along with salicylic acid, an exfoliating component that’s renowned for its ability to clear out the pores, prevent accumulation of cellular debris, and soothe active acne.

Perfect for anyone dealing with acne and looking for a lightweight, non-greasy serum on a budget, the Marine Hyaluronics will hydrate and soothe the skin while reducing existing acne and preventing new breakouts from forming.

The Inkey List – 2% Hyaluronic Acid

Best for all skin types.

The 2% Hyaluronic Acid by The Inkey List is a lightweight serum with 2% multi-molecular hyaluronic acid that specifically works across multiple skin layers to bring a dollop of hydration, plumpness, and smoothness.

With a slightly gooey consistency that helps other skincare products stick to it, the serum is infused with several moisturizing, skin-softening, and conditioning components, such as propanediol, which is also known for its ability to soothe irritation.

Finally, the serum also contains Matrixyl 3000™, a peptide that mimics what natural collagen does to the skin, essentially making it look plumper, fuller, and bouncier.

The 2% Hyaluronic Acid serum by The Inkey List is fantastic for acne-prone skin that’s dry and dehydrated and can be useful for preventing premature signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

COSRX – Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence

Best for all skin types.

The Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence by COSRX is the best non-comedogenic hyaluronic acid serum for acne-prone skin, made with only seven ingredients.

It has a lightweight formula that doesn’t leave a sticky or greasy residue once it settles on the skin and is fantastic for anyone trying to achieve a healthy and glowing complexion.

Suitable for all skin types, the serum will instantly plump the skin and leave a dewy, smooth look and feel once absorbed.

Vichy – Minéral 89 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Best for dry, dehydrated, and acne-prone skin.

Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum combines 89% mineralizing thermal water and naturally derived hyaluronic acid to help strengthen the moisture barrier and make the skin more resistant to aging concerns and environmental pathogens.

The serum also contains high glycerin content, which provides hydration; however, it can can feel sticky, especially if not used correctly.

To avoid the sticky feeling, use the Mineral 89 Face Serum on damp skin and follow it up with a nourishing moisturizer before it dries out.

This way, you will seal the moisture into the skin with an occlusive layer created by the moisturizer and will actually enjoy the benefits without dealing with the downsides of this product.

Paula’s Choice – Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Best for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, rosacea & acne-prone skin.

The Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster is a lightweight serum with a potent concentration of hyaluronic acid that works across multiple layers of the skin to deliver intense hydration, plumpness, and smoothness.

It has a slightly viscous formula enriched with a variety of moisturizing, skin-softening, and conditioning ingredients, including panthenol, known for its ability to alleviate irritation.

Moreover, the serum features a blend of ceramides, which mimic the natural lipid production in our skin, effectively making it look plumper and more youthful.

The Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster is also non-comedogenic, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin.

It can also be beneficial in warding off early signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, making it a versatile addition to your skincare regimen.

Drunk Elephant – B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

Best for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.

The Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is a lightweight serum that helps refine the skin’s tone and texture.

Formulated with a skin-friendly pH of 5.7 and enriched with pro-vitamin B5 and pineapple ceramide, the serum can help the skin attract and hold onto moisture, which will improve the barrier function and smooth out imperfections.

Additionally, it contains a natural antioxidant complex that not only provides 24-hour skin hydration but can also help reverse free radical damage to reduce the appearance of concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Finally, the serum also contains soothing components that can help minimize redness and relieve irritation associated with acne, making it suitable for all skin types dealing with this inflammatory condition.

The only downside of the Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is that it can get sticky when applied to the skin, which is why it’s best to use very little of it and only on damp skin to help it spread more easily.

Peter Thomas Roth – Water Drench Hyaluronic Serum

Best for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an excellent hyaluronic acid serum for acne due to containing a whopping 75% hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin across multiple layers and help relieve redness and irritation associated with acne.

In addition to various moisture-attracting humectants, the lightweight serum also contains silk proteins, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and silicone to increase moisture levels, balance out oil production, scavenge free radicals, and soothe and soften the skin.

Finally, the Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Serum is lightweight and absorbs into the skin easily without leaving a greasy or sticky layer once applied.

The serum is most suitable for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin; however, sensitive and reactive skin can also benefit from the cocktail of soothing and redness-relieving components in the formula.

iS CLINICAL – Hydra-Cool Serum

Best for all skin types with the exception of rosacea-prone, allergy-prone, or sensitive skin.

iS CLINICAL’s Hydra Cool Serum is a high-end hyaluronic acid serum that contains a blend of hydrating and antioxidant-rich ingredients to moisturize, soften, and rejuvenate the skin.

The serum is infused with Centella Asiatica and pantothenic acid (vitamin B), a component with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help restore a damaged skin barrier and improve its function.

Additionally, the Hydra-Cool Serum also contains kojic acid, an ingredient that can even out uneven skin tone and brighten hyperpigmentation, particularly dark spots left from past acne breakouts.

However, this serum may not be suitable for those with sensitive, reactive, or allergy-prone skin due to its high menthol content.

Menthol, a potent allergen, can be problematic not only for those already sensitive to it but also for individuals who have never previously had issues with it.

Hence, if you have sensitive or reactive skin, it’s recommended to steer clear of this product.

SkinCeuticals – Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier

Best for dry, dehydrated, and acne-prone skin.

The Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier by SkinCeuticals is another fantastic hyaluronic acid serum for acne-prone skin due to its ability to restore dry and dehydrated skin and soothe redness and irritation associated with this inflammatory condition.

Besides the high content of pure hyaluronic acid, the product also contains multiple soothing and redness-relieving components, including antioxidant licorice root extract and calming rice extract.

Lastly, the product also contains 10% Proxylane, a patented ingredient that supports the skin’s hyaluronic acid level to help improve firmness and give it a plumper, dewier, and healthier complexion.

Lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy, the Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier is definitely a splurge product; however, those with dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin who are trying to tackle acne along with aging concerns such as line and wrinkles will certainly enjoy this product!

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