CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face, Hydrating Serum for Dry Skin, 1oz

Why it's worth it

A fragrance-free gel serum with three ceramides and a delivery system that releases moisturizing ingredients gradually rather than all at once. It's the pick if eczema, post-acne irritation, or a permanently sensitized barrier is your actual problem.

Three ceramides, in the ratios your skin already uses. Ceramides make up roughly half the lipids in your barrier, and this formula includes types 1, 3, and 6-II. That's the same trio across the brand's whole line, and it's why dermatologists keep pointing people here. For skin that's been stripped by acne treatments or a rough winter, the repair matters more than the plumping.

The slow-release delivery is the actual differentiator. The brand's MVE technology holds moisturizing ingredients in layered vesicles and lets them out over the course of the day instead of dumping everything on application. Practically, that means hydration that's still working in the evening. Published lab evaluations have measured real moisture gains after several weeks of twice-daily use.

From our review of 8 hyaluronic acid serums, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +Three ceramides, in the ratios your skin already uses
• +The slow-release delivery is the actual differentiator
• +It's fragrance-free, dye-free, and unglamorous in the best way
• +It's an easy step up if The Ordinary isn't quite enough

What to know

• –You're paying more than The Ordinary for a similar idea
• –Ceramide-rich formulas can feel like too much in summer