Hyaluronic acid, known for its incredible hydrating properties, works wonders when applied topically with microneedling. But with so many different brands claiming to be “pure” and without “harsh ingredients”, choosing the right one can be difficult. Selecting a product that initially seems promising but ultimately delivers no advantages, or leads to irritation is truly disheartening.
Our team tested 20 hyaluronic acid serums, combined our experiences with our community, and shortlisted the most popular and best choices for microneedling. All of these serums focus on hydration, soothing, and repairing the skin after treatment.
Our top pick for the best hyaluronic acid serum for microneedling is Cos De Baha. Its key and minimal ingredients are some of the best we have seen and ensure safe and worry-free treatment. It does not come with a hefty price tag so if it’s not the right choice for your skin it won’t break the bank.
All products recommended on Pro Needling are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums for Microneedling in 2023
1. Cos De Baha Pure Hyaluronic Acid — The best overall hyaluronic acid for microneedling, this high molecular weight no nonsense hyaluronic acid is of top quality, with all the healing and hydrating benefits and excellent gliding texture to avoid damaging your skin while microneedling.
2. Cosmedica Hyaluronic Acid Serum — A powerful elixir of hydration and rejuvenation, delivering smoother, firmer, and protection to skin after treatment
3. Timeless Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid — Great formula for “slip” to guide your derma pen or roller, a high molecular weight formula with minimal ingredients
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums For Microneedling — 2023 Analysis
1. Editors Choice: Cos De Baha Pure Hyaluronic Acid
Concern: Moisturize | Suited For: Normal Skin Types | Format: Water-based serum
Key Ingredients: Purified Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol
Highlights: Free of alcohol, fragrances, essential oils, parabens
Use: During/Post Medical Microneedling | Weight: HMW-HA | Concentration: 1%
Pros
Great “slip” for needling
No troublesome ingredients
Cons
Not ideal for everyday use
Thick and sticky
Our experience with Cos De Baha HA Serum
Cos De Baha’s high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) has proven to be an exceptional asset in any microneedling regimen. It is a product that is highly recommended by dermatologists and experienced users, particularly when needling 0.5mm or greater but also ideal for your derma rolling routine at home. Its premium Korean quality in purified water ensures optimal efficacy, with no troublesome or irritating ingredients.
Beyond its role as a proficient glide medium that facilitates movement across the skin, I’ve found that it offers notable anti-inflammatory advantages. This is not a hyaluronic acid that I use in my everyday skincare routine due to its thickness, but unbeatable when microneedling at home for effectively hydrating and upholding tone and texture.
2. Cosmedica Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Concern: Dry and Aging Skin | Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Gel-like
Key Ingredients: Distilled Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzylalcohol DHA
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Free of alcohol, fragrances, essential oils, parabens
Use: Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Mixed | Concentration: .5%
Pros
Great moisturizer
No scent
Cons
Fast absorption – not ideal lubricant
Plastic bottle
Our experience with Cosmedica
Cosmedica’s anti-aging and hydrating serum has a great price point and is ideal for all skin types. This water-based serum is odorless and creates a slippery surface for my tool to move easily over my skin. They also have various sizes (1/2/4/8 oz). Hydration is the key takeaway, leaving skin looking fuller and more elastic post-microneedling. At times it did not sit well under my makeup and some other products when used in my daily routine.
3. Timeless Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid
Concern: Hydration/Plumpness| Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Water-based
Key Ingredients: Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Highlights: Free of alcohol, fragrances, essential oils, sulfate, dyes, parabens
Use: Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: HMW-HA | Concentration: 1%
Pros
Improves skin’s moisture levels
Convenient bottle sizes
Cons
Not for highly sensitive skin
Unpleasant texture
Our experience with Timeless Hyaluronic Acid
Timeless has created a popular favorite for microneedling with its high molecular weight 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid serum. The odorless product uses very few ingredients, leaving the skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and refreshed. One of these ingredients includes benzyl alcohol (a very small amount), which can cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. I generally apply it at night after derma rolling as it has helped with my age lines and gives my skin a nice glow.
4. Hada Labo Premium Hyaluronic Solution
Concern: Hydration | Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Lotion
Key Ingredients: 5 different hyaluronic acids, glycerin, urea.
Highlights: Free of fragrances, colorants, essential oils, alcohol and parabens
Use: With/Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Mixed | Concentration: –
Pros
Best price-to-quality ratio
Silky not greasy
Cons
Not always easy to find
Only available online
Our experience with Hada Labo Premium Lotion
Another fantastic Korean product that we love, Hada Labo is well known for their hyaluronic acid products. The brand favors simple and small formulas, free of irritants and therefore perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive. This Hada Labo Premium Lotion is made with a Super Hyaluronic Acid that has hydration retention capacities twice as high as conventional hyaluronic acid. A popular choice after doing home treatments, sometimes in combination with a face mask.
5. COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
Concern: Dry and Redness / Recovery | Suited For: All Skin Types| Format: Water-gel
Key Ingredients: 2 Types Of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, B5
Highlights: Hypoallergenic, Free Of Fragrances, Mineral Oils, Parabens, Alcohols
Use: With/Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Mixed Molecular | Concentration: –
Pros
No oily finish
Light texture
Cons
Drop applicator inefficient
Skin sensitivities can vary
Our experience with COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
COSRX is a well-known South Korean skincare brand that focuses on creating products with effective ingredients to address various skin concerns. Their innovative formulations are specifically designed to provide intense hydration and moisture to the skin. I have sensitive skin and tried this multiple times during treatment without any breakouts. Just a small amount seems to go a long way in obtaining a dewy glow.
6. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Concern: Hydration, Crows Feet | Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Water-Based Serum
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Matrixyl, Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acids, and
Highlights: Free of Fragrances, Alcohols, Essentials Oils
Use: With/Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Multiple Molecular | Concentration: –
Pros
Great Product & Price
Industry Favorite
Cons
Dries out some skin
Leaves skin shiny
Our experience with The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Originally called Buffet, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is an affordable and widely available product that is designed to hydrate your skin thanks to the inclusion of different varieties of peptides. Not only a favorite among many to use while microneedling, this product has become a staple in many AM and PM daily skincare routines (works well under my makeup!). This is one of my favorite products to use after my derma pen treatment to help heal.
7. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5
Concern: Regeneration & Repair | Suited For: Sensitive Skin | Format: Water-gel
Key Ingredients: 2 Types Of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, B5
Highlights: Allergy Tested, Paraben Free, Oil Free
Use: With/Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Mixed Molecular | Concentration: .3%
Pros
Affordable
Makes skin glow
Cons
Poorly designed dropper
Contains alcohol
Our experience with La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5
This product has a lower concentration than others we talk about here. Nonetheless, this La Roche-Posay serum is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that your skin will love. With a fresh, crisp scent and a thick texture, this gel absorbs quickly and shows results quickly. As someone who has sensitive skin, it worked great for me and I thought my skin healed pretty well and fast after dermarolling.
8. NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex
Concern: Hydration/Aging Signs| Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Water-based
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Butyroyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Highlights: Free of alcohol, fragrances, essential oils
Use: Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Multi Molecular | Concentration: 1%
Pros
Reputable Brand
Proven long-term benefits
Cons
Tacky texture
Pricey for amount
Our experience with NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex
NIOD has created a post-treatment 1% hyaluronic acid serum that provides outstanding results when it comes to hydration and radiance. The complexity of this serum is very thin and features various molecular-weight compounds and plant-based ingredients, including fermented high molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to prevent moisture loss. Aimed at all skin types, this product promises to boost skin health, increase hydration and give you a fresher, younger look, and it certainly delivers.
9. Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Concern: Dryness | Suited For: All Types | Format: Gel
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Volcanic Water
Highlights: Allergy Tested, Alcohol-Free, Oil Free
Use: Post Cosmetic Needling | Weight: Mixed | Concentration: .1%
Pros
Fast absorbing
Lightweight consistency
Cons
Thick texture
Can be a little sticky
Our experience with Vichy Mineral 89 HA
Vichy has taken a slightly different approach in creating their serum, introducing 15 minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the Mineral 89 HA formula. The result of this is a product that leaves your skin plump, glowing, and smooth to the touch. The serum is a soft gel that is easy to apply and absorbs into the skin quickly. I would recommend using it after derma rolling for moisturizing dry skin. The texture is not ideal to use during rolling as it can absorb too fast into the skin.
10. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence
Concern: Hydration & Moisture | Suited For: All Skin Types | Format: Water-Serum
Key Ingredients: 8 Hyaluronic Acids, Niacinamide, Opuntia
Highlights: Free of Alcohols, Essential Oils, Fragrances, Artificial Scents or Dyes
Use: Post Cosmedic Needling | Weight: Medium | Concentration: –
Pros
Reduces redness
Non irritating
Cons
Non sticky
Thick consistency
Our experience with Instree HA
Isntree’s goal with its HA Water Essence product is to “hydrate the skin on every layer,” and to achieve that, it uses eight different types of HA. Each variety is aimed at improving other aspects of skin health and is great for after micro needling to help with the healing process. The product achieves its goal, leaving skin looking and feeling softer, hydrated, and glowing. Regular use of Isntree’s serum will deliver anti-aging and healthier-looking skin benefits. Just two drops every morning and night will give your skin the boost it needs.
How To Choose Which Hyaluronic Acid is Best For Microneedling
Your skin will be highly sensitive after a microneedling treatment, so the user needs to be cautious of what they are providing their skin cells with. We want to use minimal ingredients that provide moisturizing and hydration relief from irritation and anti-inflammation properties.
While the science behind hyaluronic acid is a deep subject, we came up with some guidelines on how to choose the right hyaluronic acid serum for microneedling, as not all are as effective or of equal quality.
Medical Microneedling: When microneedling beyond .5mm, it is recommended to use a High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (Such as Cos De Baha). Hyaluronic Acid should be the only product applied for the first 24 hours.
Cosmetic Needling: When microneedling below .5mm, it is recommended to use a hyaluronic acid serum or formula that targets your specific skin concern.
Consult your dermatologist for the best advice as they will know what best works best for your specific skin concern and skin type. For example, they may recommend a water-based product for oily skin or an oil or cream-based serum for dry skin. Patch-testing products is a useful method to make sure you’ve made the right choice for your skin.
What To Avoid
Many serums contain chemicals and ingredients that may worsen your condition or have the potential to cause irritation. We don’t want irritating chemicals to penetrate into your skin.
We generally look for products or formulas free of the following :
- Active ingredients (Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs)
- Alcohol Free
- Allergen Free
- Dyes
- Oil Free
- Fragrance-Free
- Parabens
- Preservatives
The Benefits
HA is great bc our cells naturally produce it and it’s a magnet that draws water to it. Using Hyaluronic acid (HA) in combination with microneedling or dermarolling is beneficial for a number of reasons. On the surface, it adds hydration, plumpness, and radiance, and helps combat wrinkles and signs of aging.
It also provides the following:
- Soothes and calms the skin after treatment
- Provides better product absorption
- Stimulates elastin and collagen production
- Helps repair and speed up the healing process
- Serves as a glide for our treatment devices
Summary
There you have it, some of our favorite hyaluronic acid serums for you microneedlers out there. Always be sure to find out exactly what skin type you have before purchasing any item. If you are in doubt, you can visit your dermatologist to seek advice for your skin type. Why not give them a try and let us know what you think? We’d love to hear which of these products has transformed your skin.
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