Welcome to Hi/Lo Beauty! In this franchise, I’ll be comparing products on the pricier, and on the more affordable, ends of the spectrum in various categories. In each post I’ll compare and contrast the products, and let you know what I think is worth the splurge, and what’s not. And this week, it’s all about hyaluronic acid serums.

I’m comparing two options—the high-end Skin Medica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, and the Ghost Democracy Floodgate Hyaluronic Acid Serum. I’ll give you some basic info on the products, and a quick review. Then you can decide what sounds worth it!

The Best High- and Low-End Hyaluronic Acid Serums: An Honest Review

The High-End Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

Skin Medica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

$178 for 2 fl. oz.*

*(10% off right now during SkinStore’s sale when you use THIS LINK, plus ANOTHER 10% off when you use the code SONNI10!)

You know how you get small sample sizes of products with purchase? My first experience with this product was through a sample that I grabbed last-minute for an out-of-town trip and used without thinking too much about it. And when I applied it, wow.

It’s a hyaluronic-acid based product that leans more toward a lotion-serum feel than a liquidy serum. It also has a peptide complex and Vitamin E for extra hydration.

Here’s What to Know:

• Non-irritating, no fragrance

• Keeps your skin feeling truly hydrated all day

• A formula for those who prefer a thicker product for hydration; though I wouldn’t necessarily call it a lotion, it’s definitely not thin and runny.

• Hydrates from the first use

• 1 fl. oz. bottle lasts quite a while using the recommendd 1-2 pumps.

• Use daily under SPF or nightly under your treatment.

My Review:

This is a splurge product that truly performs!

I’m not one who loves the sticky feel that some serums can leave behind, and what I noticed right away about this serum aside from how deeply it moisturized my skin off the bat—like, within seconds—was how silky it was, and how it glided across my skin. That’s probably due to the dimethicone (a type of silicone) which is pretty high up on the ingredient list.

Now I will say, I’m generally not a fan of ingredients with dimethicone, as I find they make my skin feel dehydrated—strange, because the ingredient is used in skin care products generally to help trap moisture. But this goes against my typical preferences and really works for some reason.

I ended up buying the full-size version of this shortly after sampling it and have remained happy with its performance. It’s something I tend to reach for when my skin feels dry, so not during the summer or fall, but mainly in the winter and early spring.

Again—you can get an amazing deal on this product right now! SkinStore is running an amazing sale where you get 10% off, PLUS another 10% off when you use code SONNI10, PLUS a free gift with a qualifying Skin Medica purchase! It’s an insane deal!

The Affordable Hyaluronic Acid:

Ghost Democracy Floodgate Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$34 for 1 fl. oz.

Ghost Democracy is a clean skin care brand that makes affordable products with no irritating fragrance or other potentially problematic ingredients. I found this brand when I was browsing Verishop and picked this up as part of their Hyaluronic Acid Starter Kit that also contains their Gentle Exfoliating Daily Cleanser and Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer.

What to Know:

• Silicone-free, fragrance-free

• Low-, medium- and high-weight hyaluronic acid (Each molecular size of HA has a different permeability; lots of people tend to think that having a variety of HA’s in a formula increases absorption potential.)

• Contains pore-clearing niacinamide and white tea extract

• Liquid formula, a little on the runny side

• Truly lightweight formula

My Review:

While I think this brand overall is a great find, this serum was a little sticky for my liking upon application. Even when I gave it a few minutes to soak in, I felt I never got the smooth feeling that I like for SPF application.

That being said, if you have more time to let this product soak in and like an HA serum that is truly packed with moisture, this is a good affordable option. Preferences vary when it comes to what you prefer in a skin care product, and just because this wasn’t a hit for me doesn’t mean it won’t be for you! Buy it if you want a clean HA serum that has the added benefit of niacinamide for its reported pore-clearing benefits.