If you’re interested in Hyaluronic acid serum and natural, organic beauty products, this should be fun!
As someone who loves taking care of their skin, I know that finding the perfect product can be quite a journey. I’ve searched far and wide for the best, most natural, and effective serums, and have tried a bunch of different brands over the years.
Table of Contents
- In a Nutshell
- What Is Hyaluronic Acid Again?
- Fun Facts About Hyaluronic Acid
- Buying Guide
- Best Organic Hyaluronic Acid Serums
- How to Use Hyaluronic Acid Serum
We all know there can be huge differences in quality between cosmetics, and indeed – this applies to hyaluronic serum, too. One isn’t the next.
Not to mention that our skin responds differently on an individual basis. So what works for one person may not be ideal for another. However, generally speaking, many people do experience the benefits of choosing natural products for their skin.
If you’re already using some, you probably know what I mean. And if not – well, come on over to the green side – you may be in for a nice surprise.
In a Nutshell
Hyaluronic acid serums have become popular in recent years, delivering intense hydration and locking in moisture for smooth, radiant skin. While there are many options on the market, you may find yourself looking for an organic hyaluronic acid serum.
In this particular case, a bare-bones HA serum consists of the substance itself and… water, which means there isn’t a whole lot of organic agriculture to fall back on.
However, it does make a lot of sense to “pick this blueberry” anyway, and select a serum from a natural, cruelty-free, and overall ethically-minded skincare brand. Maybe even a brand that favors organic ingredients in their other products!
Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, plays a crucial role in skin hydration. The issue is, hyaluronic acid begins to deplete as we age. That’s why adding some on from the outside becomes an increasingly good idea as we get older wiser.
By opting for natural brands, and choosing from the best hyaluronic acid serums, you avoid potentially harmful synthetic ingredients.
Add to that the growing awareness of the environmental impact of our choices, which means organic products are in vogue! Organic agriculture is more sustainable for the planet and, as such, a more ethical approach to skincare as well.
Choosing a natural or organic hyaluronic acid serum is no different from choosing a regular one when it comes to looking at:
- the concentration of hyaluronic acid
- other active ingredients present in the formula
- the presentation and practicality of the dispenser
Being interested in organic skincare, chances are you also prefer products that are natural. (Me, too!) So, in addition to the above, we’ll also determine which hyaluronic acid serum scores best in terms of:
- containing natural ingredients
- not containing synthetic chemicals, preservatives, fragrances, and fillers
- not being tested on animals
With all these considerations, I embarked on a quest to find the best organic hyaluronic acid serums available today. This involved researching, reading, and comparing various products, before even trying anything. Because, just like you, I prefer to use only the best and most natural skincare products.
Spoiler: from a lot of options, there is one big winner. To my surprise, a hyaluronic acid serum I used years ago came out as the cleanest one. There are a few other contenders, too, and here are the top choices that both your skin and the environment will love.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid Again?
And, more importantly, why does our skin like it?
Hyaluronic acid is a relatively simple ingredient often used in serums that can provide incredible hydration and anti-aging benefits for your skin.
It is a no-brainer to add some to your skincare routine, especially if you’re over 30, to keep the skin well-hydrated and plump-looking. If you have dry skin, dull skin, or dehydrated skin in need of a little boost, hyaluronic acid products are a simple (and not overly expensive) way to increase moisture levels.
This extra moisture can be just what your skin needs to display a more youthful appearance and be well-equipped to handle whatever challenges the environment throws at it!
You may also notice more supple skin. As we age, our skin cells are subject to free radical damage, collagen production decreases and the appearance of fine lines or dark spots becomes more noticeable.
Some of the benefits of hyaluronic acid are that it can plump skin, by preventing the loss of moisture. This is quite logical when you think of it: what does thirsty skin look like? Parched. Wrinkled. Lack-luster.
Replenishing the skin’s hydration levels will always improve the skin’s appearance in general, whether you do so from the inside (drinking water, oh-so-important!) or from the outside, by adding some nice hyaluronic acid products to your beauty routine.
This can be in the form of a targeted serum, with hyaluronic acid being the main ingredient and focus of the product. Simple and straightforward. The potential downside could be that it involves adding (yet) another step to your skincare routine.
The second way is to use a combination product that contains hyaluronic acid. This serum, for example, contains many other natural anti-aging ingredients that can benefit our skin, on top of hyaluronic acid.
Fun Facts About Hyaluronic Acid
For all you beauty geeks and geeky beauties, here are some fun facts related to the fascinating substance that is hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a major component of connective tissues. It plays an important role in lubrication, cell differentiation, and cell growth.
The molecular weights of hyaluronic acid are an interesting lil’ rabbit hole to go down.
Recent studies show that inside the body, higher molecular weight HA works as an anti-inflammatory, whereas lower molecular weight HA shows proinflammatory effects. Sounds as though HA with a high molecular weight is the way to go, doesn’t it?
Not exactly. When applied to the skin, it isn’t as simple as “the higher the better”, because there is some benefit to the stuff being small enough to – you know – penetrate.
The optimal molecular weight for hyaluronic acid serum may be around 130kDa, as a recent study shows that this works best in terms of increasing skin elasticity and improving skin texture.
Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid serum is suitable for deep hydration and wrinkle smoothing. High-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (often found in creams) is suitable for hydrating and exfoliating the skin’s surface.
The effect on the skin is different. (1)
Hyaluronic acid with low molecular weight, also known as sodium hyaluronate, easily absorbs and penetrates the deepest layers of your skin. It provides intense moisture and sustained hydration deep in the skin. The results are exactly what most of us are after: sodium hyaluronate can plump the skin and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
As the hyaluronic acid molecule gets bigger and the molecular weight higher, hyaluronic acid remains closer to the surface of the skin. A high molecular weight Hyaluronic acid delivers the most visible results but with a shorter life-span. In fact, the effects can be washed away with a simple face cleansing.
Fascinating, isn’t it?
Fieww, that was a lot!
Buying Guide
When looking for the best organic hyaluronic acid serum, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by endless options. But it doesn’t have to be if you stick to tackling a few key features step by step. Let me guide you through the important aspects to make your decision-making easier.
Ingredients
The first thing to check is the ingredient list. I prefer products with a simple and clean formula, free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes.
The better serums might contain a few supporting clean ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, such as:
- Antioxidants: They help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage.
- Vitamins: Vitamins A, C, and E for their nourishing and brightening properties.
- Moisturizers: Glycerin and aloe vera to keep my skin hydrated.
On Amazon, you can often enlarge pictures of the product label showing skincare ingredients. If not, it may take a little scrolling down the page – there should be a paragraph listing them, but not always.
Concentration
Hyaluronic acid concentration is another crucial factor. The recommended range by dermatologists is between 0.5 and 2%, which means you have some leeway to experiment with what works best for your skin.
We all want those hydrating and skin-plumping effects, but especially with sensitive skin, you can have too much of a good thing. 😉
Texture and Consistency
The texture and consistency of the serum are also important. They come in various thicknesses and levels of drippy… Again, it all depends on what you like.
Personally, I prefer a serum that is on the runnier end because the more globby ones also tend to feel stickier and lay on thicker.
One brand that is hard to top in terms of the perfect serum is Annmarie Skincare. I’m a big fan of the Citrus Stem Cell Serum and Anti Aging Serum, both of which also contain hyaluronic acid. Hydrate is Annmarie’s simple hyaluronic acid serum with peptides, made without any dodgy ingredients.
That’s the biggest issue when shopping around for an organic hyaluronic acid serum. Many serums contain fillers and other ingredients and aren’t as purely natural as we’d like.
While preservatives do have their place, I much prefer keeping it natural, and maybe you do, too!
Packaging
Ah, yes… packaging. Who hasn’t used a beauty product that could have been top-notch if only the packaging was less iffy? Well-thought-out packaging design can make a big difference. Pleasure and ease of use are almost as important as the actual potion itself.
As far as the organic hyaluronic acid serums in this list go, we’ll take a look at what kind of bottle they’re in, what the bottle is made of, how the dispenser works, and whether it’s suitable for on-the-go or rather fragile.
Airtight and opaque containers are generally good news, as they protect the active ingredients from light and air, which helps preserve potency.
Price
Last but not least, the price point is, of course, something to consider. Whether investing in high-quality skincare or snatching up an affordable deal, most of us like to know we get the best value for our money. Comparing prices and sizes can help determine which serum offers the best cost-per-use, while still meeting all the other criteria.
Best Organic Hyaluronic Acid Serums
I’ve compiled a list of the best organic hyaluronic acid serums below for you to discover and choose from.
Eight Saints Pep Rally Gel Radiance Serum
Eight Saints Pep Rally is a combined serum, with hyaluronic acid and a shortlist of organic botanical extracts. It contains vitamin C, vitamin E, MSM, and green tea.
Vitamin C is reputed for brightening the skin and fading darker scars or spots and hyaluronic acid, the skin-plumping superstar, is why we’re here – the two combined act as a real powerhouse.
As one reviewer on Amazon puts it: “I look so much less busted, it feels like a gift!” They’re also raving about the gentle, neutral scent, and the lightweight texture.
For $39 for an ounce, you do get the added benefit of a few different ingredients combined. It seems a tad steep but with so many rave reviews (votes that aren’t paid for) there must be something to it.
Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Cosmedica is a women-owned, vegan, and cruelty-free brand, and this hyaluronic acid serum has a budget-friendly price tag. It helps that the serum comes in no less than four different sizes!
We can choose from a one-, two-, four-, or eight-ounce dropper bottle. The serum itself contains only three ingredients: Distilled Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Benzyl alcohol. It is a much clearer, perfected formula as compared to many thicker hyaluronic acid serums with added ingredients. To quote Cosmedica, this serum is thinner because it is more natural.
As a side note, I have heard accounts of benzyl alcohol causing contact allergies – something certain people may be more sensitive to than others.
This substance fulfills a purpose, namely that of keeping bacterial growth at bay – but it’s something to keep in mind should you notice your skin does not take to this serum as expected.
Hey, at roughly $8.49 for a one-ounce bottle, it’s worth a shot.
Joyal Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
It’s been a while since I tried this serum, and I still remember the exceptional customer service the company came through with!
My bottle was messed up upon opening the parcel (not broken, but leaked heavily and unusable) and after I reached out, they sent me a replacement lickety-split, which was such a nice surprise. There are other reviews on Amazon pointing out the great customer service, so it looks as though they set the bar high on that front.
The ingredients are very pure and simple, which is a huge draw for me personally. Check ’em out:
Aqua (Deionized Water), Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate 4%, 50 kDa Super Low Molecular Weight HA), Leucidal (Organic Radish Root Ferment Filtrate.
The radish root ferment filtrate is an EcoCert and Whole Foods-approved premium natural preservative, which you may run into on the labels of higher-end natural skincare products.
This serum lasted me a while and I got distracted from ordering again. To think of it, it’s about time to get another bottle. Joyal Beauty has interesting information on their page about the different weights of hyaluronic acid – which ties into what we covered earlier.
The only drawback could be the pump dispensing mechanism. Some people prefer a dropper bottle because it allows for more precision and control of the amount you use.
On the other hand, I, for one, can appreciate the fool-proof pump system because I can be a klutz. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve knocked over a little bottle of goodness instead of aiming the dropper right where it’s supposed to go.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum for Face with Hyaluronic Acid
Mad Hippie is an iconic brand that I want to include in this round-up, if anything, for their super snazzy packaging.
Fair enough, that’s not what will make your skin look any better but hey, it may have a positive effect on your mood. It does for me.
Fair warning: the price per ounce is going up and the bottle size is going down. The nature of an HA serum does not lend itself much to being sourced organically but Mad Hippie favors organic ingredients when applicable, such as this organic argan oil.
This serum is a bit of a cocktail, see here the complete list of ingredients: Water Deionized, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Alkyl Benzoate, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis), Hyaluronic acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Vitamin E (Tocotrienol), Ferulic acid, Chamomile Flower Extract (Recutita Matricaria), Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose.
Mad Hippie promises to tighten, brighten, and smooth the skin with this award-winning serum. It’s especially recommended for sun-damaged skin.
Vitamin C is one of the key ingredients in this serum. And I’m taking this tidbit from the description: A vital element in the production of collagen, vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration while offering antioxidant protection from photodamage. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a more stable and bioavailable form of Vitamin C than the commonly used L-Ascorbic Acid found in most skin care products, and provides the same benefits, without the risk of oxidation and irritation that is often associated with L-Ascorbic Acid. (It sure sounds like Mad Hippie has done their homework!)
Vitamin E is a protective antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.
Ferulic Acid is a natural antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants.
When combined with vitamins C and E, Ferulic Acid has been shown to have a compounding antioxidant protective effect. Yippie! If it works even better together than apart, then why not add it all in, right?!
Hyaluronic Acid works to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. (But if you’ve gotten this far, you knew that already.)
Konjac Root Powder, an exotic flower from Asia, helps to soften and smooth the skin while forming a thin protective barrier. It is rich in nutrients such as copper, zinc, phosphorus, fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, potassium, magnesium, iron, niacin, folic acid, and vitamins A, E, C, D, and vitamin B.
Grapefruit, Chamomile Extract, and Clary Sage complete the concoction, and it’s safe to say there’s a lot going on here! Not merely a hyaluronic acid serum, but if you’re in the market for something more, this one could be it.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid Serum
It’s not rocket science but there is one key detail about the use of HA.
You must apply it to damp skin. And that’s not a joking matter.
When applied to dry skin, hyaluronic acid can actually draw moisture out of the deeper layers of the skin, leaving it feeling even drier than before.
But when applied to dewy skin, hyaluronic acid gets the chance to perform as its best self. That’s when it can draw water from the surface of the skin, helping to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated throughout the day.
Other than that, the floor is yours! Decide on your daily routine – use it once, use it twice… and watch your skin glow up!