The Hydrating Skin-Care Ingredients Our Readers Can’t Live Without
NewBeauty Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube find a doctor Face Adult Acne Antioxidants Anti-Aging Celebrity Chronic Skin Conditions Eye Hydration Hyperpigmentation Makeup View All Eyebrows Eye Color Foundation Fragrance Lip Color Makeovers Male Skin Care Peels Pre-Event Prep Retinoids Sensitive Skin Skin Care Skin Health Smile Sun Care Treatments Fillers Microneedling Post-Procedure Skin Care Neurotoxins Regenerative Aesthetics Skin Lifting Body Body Sculpting Breasts Butts Cellulite Hair Removal Hands + Nails Legs Pregnancy Find a Doctor Hair Bond Repair Celebrity Dry Hair Frizzy Hair Gray Hair Hair Color Hair Growth Hair Repair Scalp Health Styling + Tips Awards NB100 Awards 15th Annual Beauty Awards 2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards Shopping Gift Guides Product Reviews NewBeauty Storefront Wellness Fitness GLP-1s Health Menopause About Us TESTTUBE Search for: Search HomeFaceSkin Care The Hydrating Skin-Care Ingredients Our Readers Can’t Live Without Straight from the source. Danielle Fontana Dooley Published: Mar 13, 2026 We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors. Getty Images When it comes to hydration, NewBeauty readers know exactly what works. In our recent survey of more than 550 readers aged 23 to 83,* one thing became clear: certain ingredients have earned a permanent place in their routines. From moisture magnets to barrier builders, these are the hydration powerhouses readers trust most—and why. It’s no surprise that hyaluronic acid topped the list. Seventy‑five percent of readers said HA is their go‑to ingredient for hydration—by far the most dominant response. The appeal is simple: Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into the skin, gives that immediate plumping effect, and layers well under just about every other product. It’s the ingredient readers trust for dewy, bouncy skin, whether they’re using a serum, cream or even a hydrating toner.