Hello! Please note that this post is sponsored by Inblair. However, this was my honest comparison having used these products. Thanks for visiting!

5 Hidden-Gem Hyaluronic Acid Serums That Put The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay to Shame (And Why Skincare Insiders Are Keeping Them Secret)

By: Dr. Kelly, MD Dermatology

May 28, 2024 (updated)

For the past 15 years, I've been a part of an exclusive circle of dermatologists, chemists, and clinical researchers in Boston.

Every few months, we evaluate hundreds of new skincare products before they hit the market. Major beauty retailers and department stores use our findings to decide which products make it to their shelves, and which ones don’t. 

In this job, we’re often faced with a critical choice:

Either we choose the brands with exceptional formulas, but lack the marketing budgets to compete with industry giants…

Or, we choose the big-name brands that often have basic formulations and massive advertising budgets to guarantee sales. 

Obviously, to keep our jobs and keep major retailers happy, we’re pressured to recommend products with the biggest sales potential. 

But after watching countless women waste thousands on expensive serums that don’t work, I’ve decided to reveal the 5 best hyaluronic acid serums for aging skin. 

And now is your chance to discover the 5 hidden gems that I personally use as a dermatologist, and recommend to my patients struggling with:

  • Deep wrinkles that add years to your face
  • Stubborn dark spots that create a patchy, uneven complexion
  • Sagging skin that drags down both your face and confidence

But don’t be mistaken. These serums aren’t the ones you’ll find in department stores, or trending on your granddaughter’s social media account.

In fact, you’ve probably never heard of them before. 

Because, unlike major brands that spend millions on marketing to cover up their basic formulations…

These 5 “hidden gems” spend almost zero dollars on advertising, instead pouring all their time and money into developing some of the best-quality, most effective formulations on the market today.

When we put these serums head-to-head against their ‘luxury’ alternatives, the results were remarkable. 

Our clinical tests revealed that when compared to luxury brands, these serums were 60% more effective at reducing deep wrinkles and restoring skin firmness.

And even better, they deliver these results at less than half the price.

So today, I'm risking my insider status to reveal the 5 hyaluronic acid serums that truly deliver the results that most expensive brands can only promise. 

These are the exact products I use on my own skin, buy for my mother, and give to my most demanding VIP patients—the ones who can spot a mediocre product from a mile away.

But fair warning: These smaller labs can’t handle sudden surges in demand.

The last time that word got out about one of these serums, it disappeared from shelves for 12 weeks straight. So if something catches your eye, don't wait.

Curious how my VIP patients are erasing years of sun damage, smoothing deep wrinkles, and restoring their skin’s natural radiance?

Keep reading to discover the 5 'hidden gem' hyaluronic acid serums that make it all possible...

“Doc, have you gotten younger since the last time I saw you?”

These were the words from one of my patients I hadn't seen in half a year, and all after using Rejuvenate for barely three weeks!

“Gosh! Your skin glows - no dark spots on your skin!” 

Right after I started using Rejuvenate, compliments about my "glowy" and "wrinkle-free" skin started pouring in from my patients.

I’ve been using it almost daily for more than 6 months now, and from the very first application, my skin was almost instantly transformed. It appeared more hydrated, felt firmer, and its texture was visibly improved. 

But the improvements didn’t stop there. Like a gift that keeps on giving, the results that Rejuvenate has given me over the past 6 months have just continued to get better and better!

I've since recommended Rejuvenate to all my patients, and the response has been fantastic. They all love it, feel it’s worth every penny, and I’ve not heard a single negative review so far!

Let me share my favorite story from a patient of mine who tried Rejuvenate:

For a long time, Samantha had been struggling with brown discoloration on her cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. So after taking my advice and trying Rejuvenate, she returned to my office a few weeks later almost in tears. 

“I’m finally at peace with my facial skin for the first time in decades” she told me.

Not only had her skin gone through a total transformation, with reduced dark spots and a bright, youthful glow, but she felt so much more confident about her appearance. She felt less reliant on makeup, and had even been asked questions like…

“What’s your secret?”

“Which medication are you using?”

But the only change she'd made was using Rejuvenate! So, how does Rejuvenate deliver such amazing visible anti-aging results?

Firstly, it has very clean, high-quality ingredients—no cheap fillers, and it's formulated without synthetic ingredients. But the main reason is that it's one of the few products on the market that contains something called a “multi-weight formula.”

Put simply, this innovative formula is made with a combination of different sized hyaluronic acid molecules. The larger ones provide surface level benefits to the outermost layer of your skin, while the smaller ones penetrate better and work in the deepest layers. 

This combination, along with other botanical ingredients like Tremella Mushroom and Portulaca Oleracea, makes this hyaluronic acid one of the most effective for fighting aging, reducing wrinkles, and eliminating fine lines.

Tremella Fuciformis, also known as the snow mushroom, is a wild edible mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It provides a wide variety of anti-aging properties for your skin, such as its extraordinary ability to hydrate and bind moisture to its surface. 

Much like hyaluronic acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract retains moisture easily, locking in almost 500 times its weight in water! Overall, it’s a powerhouse that will leave your skin more hydrated and glowy than ever!

Portulaca Oleracea Extract, on the other hand, is a powerful antioxidant known to help fight off environmental aggressors. 3 4 It acts as a shield that safeguards your skin from the damaging effects of any external stressors, keeping your skin healthy and youthful. 

When combined, these potent active ingredients work together to reveal a complexion that not only looks healthy, but also feels well-nourished and radiant.

Usually, Hyaluronic Acid and Tremella Fuciformis Extract are sold separately, so it’s great to see them combined together in this powerful formulation. I have dry, sensitive skin and often deal with irritation, redness, and sensitivity from other products. As someone who has to be extra careful about what I put on my skin, I pay very close attention to the ingredients that brands put in their products. So it was nice to find that Rejuvenate doesn’t irritate my skin at all. That’s why I’d consider Rejuvenate to be suitable for all skin types.

Rejuvenate is also extremely easy to use. It has a lightweight texture that spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin. It’s perfect for use underneath a moisturizer or makeup, and feels hydrating without being greasy or sticky. I can’t feel it once it’s on, and I love that I don’t wake up in the morning with oily stains on my pillowcase.

If you want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, look visibly younger, and get compliments like my patients and me - then you should give Rejuvenate a try!

Check Out Rejuvenate by inBlair

#2 Strivectin Hydration Multiplier

Strivectin’s Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great product inspired by K-Beauty’s “skin flooding method”, a Korean layering technique that uses a humectant and emollient to moisturize and protect your skin barrier. 

If you’re not familiar with these terms, a humectant is a substance that keeps things moist. Meanwhile, an emollient is an ingredient that forms a film on your skin to soothe dryness. In short, it’s quite hydrating, so it can be a good product to try if your skin is on the drier side. 

When I first tried it, I was surprised to find that it dispenses both hyaluronic acid and ceramides separately. Then, you mix them together and apply them to your skin, which was interesting. I did like the serum’s creamy texture though.It does contain some fragrance-enhancing ingredients, which may cause dryness and irritation for those with sensitive skin. I have sensitive skin, but I didn’t feel any sting or tingling sensation on my face when I applied it, so it's worth patch testing to see how your skin reacts. 

As it did with Rejuvenate, my skin felt firmer after the first application, and I loved how soft and moisturized my face felt. After a few weeks, the fine lines on my forehead had become less noticeable, too.

This serum boasts an impressive blend of active ingredients, including Hyaluronic Acid and Polyglutamic Acid for skin hydration. 

I’m also a fan of ceramides which is third on their ingredient list. Not only does it strengthen the skin barrier, ceramides are also proven to help with redness, itching, and flaking. 

While Strivectin Hydration Multiplier offers amazing skin barrier protection, it falls short of the top spot compared to Inblair’s Rejuvenate, which uses multi-weight hyaluronic acid to strengthen both the skin barrier and the wrinkles that form in the deeper layers of the skin. 

Nevertheless, Strivectin Hydration Multiplier remains a powerful option, especially for those seeking a solution for their dry skin.

Check Out Strivectin Hydration Multiplier

#3 Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum

Compared to the first two serums that prioritize hydration and moisturization, Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum is designed to brighten your skin. If an uneven skin tone is your main concern, this might be the product for you! 

I found the serum a little sticky, even after patting it in. So, I recommend waiting a few minutes before applying moisturizer and sunblock. Otherwise, it might cause some pilling. That being said, it’s definitely perfect for no makeup-less days and evening use.

After using this serum for a few days, I noticed that my skin looked brighter and healthier – exactly what you'd expect from Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum's primary ingredient, ascorbyl glucoside. This is a stable form of Vitamin C that is designed to help brighten uneven skin tone.

Meanwhile, its second ingredient is sodium hyaluronate powder, which is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. This hydrates your skin and defends it against environmental stressors like air pollutants and UV rays. 

After a month of using this serum, I also noticed that the skin texture on my cheeks had improved a little, thanks to the azelaic acid and sea grape caviar extract they included in their formula. 

However, I did feel a mild tingle on my skin, perhaps because it contains citric acid. Or I might have just mixed it poorly with other products I’ve used. For this, I recommend anyone with sensitive skin to do a patch test first. 

While it doesn’t quite reach the top spots compared to Inblair’s Rejuvenate which contains potent, yet gentle botanical ingredients that are effective even for the most sensitive, aging skin…

Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum still delivers a brighter, glowy complexion that we expect from a Hyaluronic Acid serum.

Check Out Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum

#4 COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid  3

For those seeking a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality. COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum is an excellent choice. This is a brand that many of my younger patients love because of its ability to lock in moisture and hydrate your skin. 

This serum uses 3% pure Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides to hydrate and protect your skin against external stressors. It also contains Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)m which is  the same blend of amino acids naturally found in healthy skin that keeps it soft and supple. Think of NMF as your skin's built-in moisturizer. By adding more of these natural amino acids, the COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid  3 strengthens your skin's protective barrier and locks in hydration all day long.

When it first arrived, I was a bit concerned about the packaging. The dropper was a little short and the bottle was black. So although it was pretty, I had no way of knowing how much product was left. 

But when I tried it, I liked how the serum easily glided on my skin. When I layered it with a light moisturizer and sunblock, there was no pilling. 

The main benefits of this serum are the hydration and barrier protection it promises to deliver. So, if you’re prone to dry, itchy skin, this could be the product for you! The ingredient list is simple, and the serum is free from sulfates and phthalates that could irritate your skin. 

However, it does contain the silicon-based polymer, dimethicone, which can be a dealbreaker for those who prefer more natural and environmentally-friendly products.

Although it isn’t as effective as other serums listed, The COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 is a solid option for those looking to incorporate Hyaluronic Acid into their routine without breaking the bank.

Check Out COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid  3

#5 Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%

Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% focuses on replenishing moisture and hydrating your skin – so you can have a plump and supple complexion. 

Formulated with 5% Hyaluronic Acid, this serum is designed to restore your skin barrier and provide your skin with maximum hydration.

It has a gel-like texture that absorbs quickly into my skin, leaving it soft. But because of the consistency, it’s somewhere between a serum and a gel. I like that it allows me to put on a foundation without it looking caked on. So, it’s a great serum under other products and makeup. 

Of note, this serum does not contain other botanical ingredients to support its hyaluronic acid formula. But I love how its 5% Hyaluronic Acid was formulated to be paraben-free, gluten-free, and fragrance-free, which helps make it suitable for all skin types.

Naturium is a brand that prides itself on clean, cruelty-free formulations, and its Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% is no exception. With its focus on skin hydration, it was a great addition to both my morning and evening skincare routine. 

While I like using this product, I do feel there are better options out there. That’s why Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% ranks after the others.

Check Out Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%
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