I can perfect the art of the Dyson Airwrap to give myself an immaculate at-home blowout, but that means nothing if I don’t have the hair care behind it to help support my new do. I’m always on the hunt for something that will hydrate my long, thick hair, which unfortunately does get very dry—very often.

So even if, and when, I’m able to achieve voluminous body I want, it kind of goes to waste the minute moisture is sucked up from my hair, leaving it looking dull, disheveled, and again dry. Could the answer to my hair problems be hyaluronic acid?

Perhaps.

Vogue’s Favorite Hyaluronic Acid Hair Care

Best for Chemically Processed Hair: Kérastase Blond Absolu Serum, $64

Best for Dry Hair: L’Oréal Elvive Hyaluron Plump Shampoo, $6, and L’Oréal Elvive Hyaluron Plump Conditioner, $6

Best for Itchiness & Flakiness: Briogeo Scalp Revival Cooling Hydration Mask, $34

Best Scalp Serum: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Scalp Serum, $15

Best for Removing Buildup: NatureLab. Tokyo 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo, $15

Best Hydrating Serum: Act+Acre Daily Hydro Scalp Serum, $24

Best for Reducing Frizz: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, $31

Hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a known humectant that attracts and retains water, is a naturally occurring molecule found in our bodies and in our beloved skin-care products. As New York City–based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explains, hyaluronic acid’s moisture-bounding property is why there’s a growing interest in using it for our hair and scalp as well.

“In skin care, we think of it primarily as a hydration and skin-plumping ingredient,” says Dr. King.

“In hair care, that same water-binding ability can help the hair feel softer, smoother, more flexible, and less dry or frizzy.”

How It Works in Hair

Alexis Stephens, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Parkland Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery and Skin of Color Society member, again explains that hyaluronic acid in hair care primarily works similarly to our skin care; it is a humectant, helping attract and retain moisture around the hair so that it can feel softer, more flexible, and more manageable and look smoother and shinier.

“The simplest way to think about HA for hair is as a moisture-balancing and conditioning ingredient,” Dr. King agrees. “Hair that has been bleached, colored, chemically treated, or exposed to a lot of heat can become more porous and lose moisture more readily. HA can help attract and hold water around the hair fiber, improving its hydration, softness, flexibility, and manageability.”

Some emerging studies even show that use of HA (and other related humectants) in hair care can help improve moisture as well as damaged hair’s elasticity. It works on all hair types, but Dr.

Stephens says it’s particularly helpful for dry, curly, coily, heat-styled, or chemically processed hair that could benefit from added moisture and improved flexibility. Fine hair can use it, too, adds Dr.

King, as long as it’s a lightweight formula that won’t weigh hair down.

How to Use It

You can find HA in many different types of hair-care products. The best ones the experts recommend include:

Shampoo and Conditioner

If you’re going to choose a shampoo, you must pair it with a well-formulated conditioner. Dr.

Stephens recommends the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump line in general for dry or dehydrated hair. From the collection, we like this shampoo and conditioner duo to set the base for adding hydration into your hair.

It uses hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture for 72 hours and keep hair looking shiny and bouncy, like you just got your dream blowout.

Scalp-Focused Products

Scalp care is hair care, and taking care of it is the first step to keeping hair looking and feeling moisturized and healthy overall. Something like the Act + Acre Daily Hydro Scalp Serum—a leave-on serum that works to soothe any dryness—contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to lock in moisture and hydrate skin.

The NatureLab Tokyo 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub will gently remove buildup I get from sweat or styling my hair with so many products, but also hydrates my hair for ultimate shine.

Serums

Dr. Stephens likes the Kérastase Blond Absolu 2% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum as a leave-in formulation that is designed for both your hair and scalp, which is especially helpful for dry or chemically processed hair. We also like The Ordinary Hair Care Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, which is a lightweight scalp serum to hydrate skin and help support healthy hair growth.

Masks and Leave-In Conditioners

Dr. King says that HA is most impactful in a leave-on product—like a serum, leave-in conditioner, or treatment—as they can remain on hair for hours and continue providing conditioning benefits throughout the day.

Opt for something like the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask, which can soothe an itchy scalp and reduce flakiness. As someone who has an oily and flaky scalp when it’s hot and humid out, this helps really nourish my scalp.

You can also try something like the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, which works on all hair types and can reduce frizz and protect hair from moisture loss.