L'Oreal's Hyaluronic Acid Serum Visibly Tightened My Shin (2024)

We put the L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

For the past few years, Hyaluronic Acid has been an It Ingredient. Its popularity stems from its ability to absorb moisture, which means it’s a good option to hydrate, reduce fine lines, and plump skin all at once. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is one product to try if you want to test out HA yourself.

But first, you’ll need to know what hyaluronic acid (HA) is. While it naturally occurs in the skin, levels can decrease as you get older. Because of the way it retains moisture, losing too much might make skin look less firm than you’re used to, increasing fine lines and wrinkles. And this is where a serum can come in to hydrate and plump up the skin.

Unlike other options, the L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is easy to find at the drugstore, and while it might not be the most affordable option on the shelves, the multiple weights of HA might make it worth it. Is it though?

I used the serum in my routine to find out. Ahead is my review.

About My Skin: Drinks up moisture

While my skin leans oily, because I use tretinoin my routine tends to focus on preventing flakes and dry skin. Thanks to a hydrating routine (shout out to First Aid Beauty 5-in-1 and Augustinus Bader) my skin has been feeling more moisturized than ever. My go-to options are thick though, and the lightweight hydration of hyaluronic acid can feel nice especially as days become more warm and humid.

I didn’t change up my routine, instead, I added the L’Oreal Hyaluronic Acid Serum in between face washing and moisturizer (and before tretinoin on the nights I used it).

The Feel: Dries down fast

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum feels slimy (if you’ve ever used a product with snail mucin, it’s like a lighter version of that), and it spreads smoothly over skin before drying down quickly. While the product itself disappears in less than a minute, my face was left feeling a little dry, a similar experience to other hyaluronic acid products I’ve used. For this reason, following up with a good moisturizer is a must.

It’s fragrance-free and had no scent that I could detect, which those who, like me, are sensitive to smell.

The Results: Not immediate

L'Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum claims to add hydration and to make skin look plumper immediately, but I didn’t notice any changes right away.

Because of how this serum is formulated, there’s good evidence that visible changes are just around the corner. The serum has hyaluronic acid of various weights, which means each type of molecule penetrates the skin at different depths. The high molecular weight molecules, aka the bigger particles, moisturize the skin on the surface. It can even absorb moisture from the air and from the products you apply on top, up to 1000 times its weight. The low molecular weight molecules are tinier, so they can hydrate the skin on a deeper level and make skin look plumper, smoothing fine lines and firming skin.

The Value: A midrange option

The serum is around $29.99, which falls in the low-to-average end of HA serums. While some can be found for less than $10, I’ve used a serum that cost $300. The glass bottle and fragrance-free formula of L’Oreal’s product make it feel worth the cost, but there are cheaper options that include several active ingredients rather than HA alone.

Similar Products: Lots to choose from

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($7): Speaking of more affordable options, this one is just shy of $7. It also has multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid along with vitamin B5 for extra hydration.

Read Full Review: The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum Is the Key to Soft Skin

SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier ($102): If you’re willing to spend more, you can try a serum that packs a lot of ingredients into one. Licorice root and Proxylane support the hyaluronic acid in the formula and the HA that already exists in your skin. This one will cost you around $100, though.