Skincare · 9 first-hand tests · 9 brands
Hydrating serums
Tested by hand. Judged side by side. Every one of these hydrating serums was used by a tester, then scored on the same criteria written for this family, so the verdicts can be read side by side. 2 of them hold a current Beauty 100 rank.
- Judged on
- Hydration and plumping
- Layering under cream
- Value per bottle
- Price range
- $6.00 – $220.00
- In the Beauty 100
- 2
- Newest review
- Nov 5, 2026
All reviews9 reviews
Newest first
Good Molecules · Hydrating serumsHyaluronic Acid SerumA small price for a useful hydration layer.“I liked the light, hydrated feel of this serum.”Insider Beauty testerRead 
The INKEY List · Hydrating serumsHyaluronic Acid SerumAn easy $13 layer between damp skin and cream.“I liked this as a light hydrating step under moisturizer.”Insider Beauty testerRead 
Naturium · Hydrating serumsQuadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%The hydration step that dried without tack.“I didn’t feel any stickiness once the serum had dried.”Insider Beauty testerRead 
L'Oreal Paris · Hydrating serumsRevitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid SerumA straightforward hydration serum.“My skin looked plumper after I applied Revitalift.”Insider Beauty tester
Reviewed by Sarah Chen · Sep 2, 2026Read 
Herbivore Botanicals · Hydrating serumsCloud Jelly Tremella + Strawberry Plumping Hydration SerumA soft hydration step before your usual cream.“I liked the soft, hydrated finish Cloud Jelly gave my skin.”Insider Beauty testerRead 
Beauty 100 · #29The Ordinary · Hydrating serumsHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5A simple layer beneath moisturizer.“My moisturizer went on smoothly over the serum.”Insider Beauty tester
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Park · Mar 7, 2026Read 
Glow Recipe · Hydrating serumsPlum Plump Hyaluronic Acid SerumPlump skin with a dewy finish.“My skin looked dewier after I applied Plum Plump.”Insider Beauty tester
Reviewed by Sarah ChenRead 
Lancome · Hydrating serumsAdvanced Genifique Youth Activating SerumAn excellent texture at a steep price.“My moisturizer spread evenly over Génifique.”Insider Beauty tester
Reviewed by Sarah ChenRead 
Beauty 100 · #95Estee Lauder · Hydrating serumsAdvanced Night Repair SerumAn elegant serum with a luxury price.“When I used Advanced Night Repair in the evening, my skin felt more hydrated the next morning.”Insider Beauty tester
Reviewed by Sarah ChenRead How a review is made
Tested first, then judged inside its family.
- 1A tester uses it. The quote on every card is from that first-hand test.
- 2Editors judge it on three criteria written for its family, plus evidence, distinctiveness and disclosure.
- 3The verdict comes first. The score out of 5 is the summary, not the point.
Judged on
- Hydration and plumping
- Layering under cream
- Value per bottle