It’s now more important than ever to be aware of how we spend our money and what we put on our skin!
Hyaluronic acid serums are everywhere! As a board-certified dermatologist, I think it’s essential that all my patients – and everyone who reads my skincare blog – understand just how essential these serums can be in your skincare routine!
There’s a ton of research out there that shows hyaluronic acid can absorb up to 1000 times its weight in water!1 Crazy, right!?
There’s just one problem though: not all hyaluronic acid serums are formulated equally.
I always prefer hyaluronic acid formulations that contain varying sizes of the HA molecule—not just one! Using a multi-weight HA serum can help support hydration at a wider variety of depths in the skin!
Studies show some single-weight hyaluronic acid formulations don't absorb as well and can struggle to draw in moisture as effectively! 2
So if you want to support hydrated skin that looks more youthful and radiant - I’d recommend a multi-weight hyaluronic acid.
The fact is though, there are hundreds of HA serums out there, so it’s hard to choose just one!
One serum lots of derms are asked about is the SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier. Don’t get me wrong—I love SkinCeuticals! And while I have my favorites from their brand, not every product in their lineup would get my first vote of confidence.
Time and time again I’ve found myself recommending the Renew Resurfacing Night Serum by Naked and Thriving.
To help you cut through the hype to uncover the hydration-boosting hero, let’s do an in-depth review & compare both of these products...
My Best for… Hyaluronic Acid Formulation? Renew Resurfacing Night Serum WINS
This criteria is where these two serums differ most! Sure, both are excellent hydration boosters, but only the Renew Resurfacing Night Serum explicitly contains various types of HA molecules. The H.A. Intensifier, on the other hand, only contains one size of hyaluronic acid – which we can infer from no mention of molecular weights on the product page at the time of publication.
Because of this, and the fact that it’s not stated in black and white on the Skinceuticals site – I feel like the Renew Resurfacing Night Serum has the edge here.
It’s formulated to support skin hydration in multiple ways, through multiple sizes of HA – so it has a clear advantage.
My Best for… Range of Effective Ingredients? Renew Resurfacing Night Serum WINS
To find a clear-cut winner between these serums, we need to consider their overall composition beyond just the HA molecules.
Here’s the question I would ask: what other ingredients are capable of delivering visible results?
Both the H.A. Intensifier and the Renew Resurfacing Night Serum contain alpha hydroxy acids. This is a major checkmark for me because studies show AHA’s can help exfoliate the skin, revealing more youthful-looking skin.
However, while Skinceuticals recommends pairing their H.A. Intensifier with ferulic acid, there is no ferulic acid in this specific product – you have to buy a second product (often with another hefty pricetag!!) to get this benefit.
Whereas Renew Night Serum has ferulic acid on the ingredient list – almost like you’re getting two products in one! So Renew wins again...
My Best for… Brand History? H.A Intensifier WINS
There’s a reason why Skinceuticals is sold all over the globe. Since 1997, the brand has made a name for itself when it comes to visible anti-aging from photoprotection. Their research team is also among the first chemists to start exploring the effects of ferulic acid on Vitamin C—a popular combo that’s now used in numerous cosmetics formulations.
While Naked and Thriving does share this commitment to high-quality production, it hasn’t been around as long as Skinceuticals, so it hasn’t built the same long-standing legacy.
Unlike the Skinceuticals brand though – Naked & Thriving has a far more grass-roots foundation, originally started by a brother-sister duo who wanted to disrupt the “super-synthetic” skincare industry, and if you ask me, that’s more impressive than anything!
And yeah – I love that all Naked and Thriving formulations are packed with naturally derived ingredients. However, because it’s a newer brand, it still needs more time to evolve its reputation in the mainstream beauty landscape.
My Best for… Ethics? Renew Resurfacing Night Serum WINS
Naked and Thriving uses naturally derived ingredients and has a clear company ethos when it comes to sustainability goals and thoughtfulness about caring for our planet. They plant a tree for every bottle sold and use recyclable glass bottles and responsibly sourced papers. They are also certified cruelty-free by PETA. This dedication can resonate with conscious consumers who care about the environment and want transparency in their purchases.
Although I adore Skinceuticals, the brand doesn’t seem as clearly conscientious and devoted to a naturally derived ethos. Bear in mind, that the H.A. Intensifier contains dimethicone as well as other synthetic ingredients. Not necessarily a bad thing– but in this category, I have to give it to Naked & Thriving as a brand that is clearly devoted to a naturally derived ethos
My Best for… Price? Renew Resurfacing Night Serum WINS
Skinceuticals comes in at a pretty high price point, which isn’t surprising given its established reputation, research team, and luxurious branding. While the company uses a lot of great ingredients and they did pave the way with research that informs so many other companies’ formulas now – the H.A. Intensifier is still pretty pricey, especially for people who plan to use this product regularly.
But given how much I love Renew Resurfacing Night Serum, I’m not sure if the Skinceuticals formula really justifies its higher price.
The Naked & Thriving Renew Serum is less than $70 while Skinceuticals is typically over $100, making Renew far more accessible to a much wider range of skincare enthusiasts and newbies alike.
Ultimately, I give this one to Renew not just because of how it made my skin look and feel, but also because I love what the price point says about the company on the whole. It shows the brand cares more about sharing a high-quality product with a wider audience, rather than trying to seem exclusive or upscale with a luxury price point.
Closing thoughts
I’ll come clean – even though I’m a longtime Skinceuticals fan, I have to give this one to Renew Resurfacing Night Serum.
This is one of those serums that you only find every once in a while – it’s got a seriously impressive formulation that outshines almost every other hyaluronic acid skincare product out there but at an accessible price point!
So, if you’re looking to elevate your skincare regimen to the next level, the Renew Resurfacing Night Serum is a must-have-buy!
I’ve been using it for quite some time, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop recommending it to patients I see who are looking to combat visible wrinkles and see visible results.
