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Hyaluronic acid serums constitute one of the most popular skin care categories in today’s day, having gone mainstream circa the 1990s and 2000s after being used primarily in medical procedures. If you know that these topicals are skin care saviors but aren’t exactly sure how they work to enhance the appearance of skin, it’s really very simple: Hyaluronic acid is a molecule already found naturally in our skin that pulls moisture from the atmosphere and thus contributes to overall hydration while helping smooth wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid–backed beauty offerings, in turn, augment the body’s production levels of this element, and their sheer effectiveness explains why the ingredient is in such high demand right now.
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Hundreds of brands have come out with their own cutting-edge hyaluronic acid serums that boast coveted anti-aging properties, but perhaps the most celebrity-endorsed is PCA Skin: founded in 1990 and developed in tandem with dermatologists. PCA Skin prides itself on using “clinically backed research and science to [create] safe and effective products,” according to its site, and therefore holds more authority in the industry than many of its counterparts. PCA Skin’s $128 Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is proof of concept — backing its benefits with a rigorous, six-week clinical study for your peace of mind.
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
Price upon publish date of this article: $128
What exactly this serum has to offer? Not just momentary but sustained hydration, plumping action, and the reduction of visible fine lines with consistent use. Per PCA Skin, the bestseller levels up skin’s hyaluronic acid content by 50 percent within 24 hours: an impressive feat made even more so in context of the Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum’s light-as-a-feather, quick-to-absorb consistency.
These perks have won over everyone from beauty influencers to average consumers and your favorite celebrities — among them Gabrielle Union and Ashley Tisdale. The former star’s esthetician, Candice Miele, first introduced her to the brand, with reportedly transformational results to follow. Tisdale, on the other hand, has quoted the hydrating serum as something she applies to her face while it’s still damp: amplifying all that moisture injection and wrinkle-ironing prowess, no actual needle-based injections necessary.
Because no one reaches success alone, the star player here — hyaluronic acid, obviously — is joined by other heavy hitters like ceramides (which further protect from water loss) and niacinamide, an antioxidant that supports a healthy, balanced skin barrier and remedies redness. Recommended usage involves applying the sumptuously soft serum morning and night after cleansing (one to two pumps is all it takes!), making sure to round it out with moisturizer or sunscreen for maximum effect. PCA Skin suggests treating your décolletage to the wonders of its Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, too, especially since this region tends to be one of the first to show signs of aging.
Don’t just take our word for it when we say this fan-fave serum is more than worth your time and money; hear it from some actual fans, as well. “This serum has made a definite difference in my skin tone, adding glow and smoothness that I didn’t have before. I have been using it for about a year, and I plan to continue,” says one happy reviewer. This from another: “I’ve been using PCA products for about seven years. I’m 74 years old and my skin looks great. My dermatologist was so impressed that he wanted to know what I was using on my skin.” “Best hydration! I love this serum, more so than any other hyaluronic serum I have tried. I have sensitive and acne-prone skin and this is THE BEST, a non-negotiable in my routine,” shares one more Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum loyalist.
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
Price upon publish date of this article: $128
If you wish to continue upgrading your complexion, right in time for spring, you’d be wise to invest in PCA Skin’s top hits beyond this serum. After all, it’s also the #1 professional chemical peel brand among estheticians, partnering with leading skin experts to provide its range of peels for acne, sensitive skin, and other conditions in clinics around the U.S. For something more catered to at-home use, be sure to try out the Kardashian-vetted PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45, the lifting-and-firming Pro-Max Age Renewal serum similarly used by Miele on her A-list clients, additional hyaluronic acid–equipped formulas from the brand (think under-eye patches and lip balms), plus other trusted solutions for glowier, more resilient, and more nourished skin.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the most effective skin care products from dermatologist-recommended brands and how to shop them online.