In the depths of winter, we can become so accustomed to focusing our attention on the comfort and warmth levels of our wardrobe, that we don’t consider the impact the coldest season of the year has on our skin.
The extreme cold and wind, increased time spent indoors in artificially-heated rooms, and lengthy (read: scalding) showers can all dry out our skin at an alarming rate. It’s for that very reason why it’s more important in winter than any other season to incorporate a hydrating serum into your skin care routine if you can.
Enriched with a slew of moisture magnets like hyaluronic acid, panthenol and glycerin, and nourishing plant-derived butters and oils, hydrating serums target surface-level dryness and dehydration too.
Typically formulated to be gentle on skin, they also play well with other skin care products, which makes integrating them into your pre-existing skin care routine easy as pie. The hardest part? Selecting the right hydrating serum for you — here, marie claire offers up a shortlist of suggestions.
2024’s top hydrating serums
- Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense, $103, Amazon Australia
- Go-To Skincare Much Plumper Skin, $48, Go-To Skincare
- Swisse Skincare Hyaluronic 2% Vitamin B5 Glow Booster Serum, $25.99, Swisse
The best hydrating serums 2024
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense
from $103 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Trans epidermal water loss
If you struggle to keep your skin hydrated, no matter how much moisturiser you apply, we’d suggest giving this intense hydrator a go. It contains a blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, natural moisturising factors (NMF), saskatoon berry, and glyceryl glucoside to hydrate the skin both instantly, and over time.
Sizes: 30ml
Key features:
- Multi-weight hyaluronic acid and natural moisturising factors instantly restore moisture levels
- Antioxidants enhance and protect skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid
- Supports the skin’s natural hydration processes
- Smooths and plumps dehydration lines
- Provides long-lasting hydration
Available at:
- $103 from Amazon Australia
- $108 from Oz Hair & Beauty
- $115 from The Iconic
Go-To Skincare Much Plumper Skin
from $48 at Go-To Skincare
Best for: A dewy, plump complexion
Dry skin tends to lack the healthy and plump appearance synonymous with a youthful-looking complexion. This hydrating serum counteracts that with a cocktail of plumping and firming peptides, hyaluronic acid and panthenol, which attract water molecules, enhancing hydration, and promoting dewy, bouncy skin.
Sizes: 30ml
Key features:
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 plumps, firms and smooths skin
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates for bouncy, plump skin
- Panthenol soothes and hydrates
- Minimises dryness
- Promotes a healthy, dewy, youthful-looking complexion
Available at:
- $48 from Go-To Skincare
- $48 from MECCA
Swisse Skincare Hyaluronic 2% Vitamin B5 Glow Booster Serum
from $25.99 at Swisse
Best for: Enhancing radiance
Amp up your complexion’s natural radiance with this daily glow-booster — it’s pumped full of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramides. Use morning and night to see an improvement in the overall texture, luminosity, and hydration of your skin.
Sizes: 30ml
Key features:
- Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 hydrate, smooth and enhance radiance
- Ceramides lock in moisture and protect the skin
- Reinforces the skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Leaves skin with a dewy, refreshed glow
- Use day and night for best results
Available at:
- $25.99 from Swisse
Tribe Skincare Calming Hydration Serum
from $65 at Tribe
Best for: Soothing sensitive skin
This serum doesn’t just hydrate, it’s also infused with a cohort of anti-inflammatory ingredients (read: green tea extract and niacinamide) that help to soothe skin and even skin tone.
Sizes: 50ml
Key features:
- Green tea extract soothes sensitive skin
- Niacinamide evens skin tone
- Anti-Redness Complex
reduces the appearance of facial redness in about two weeks - Contains glycerin, red seaweed extract, peach leaf extract, marshmallow root extract and iris root extract
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Available at:
- $65 from Tribe
Vanessa Megan Vegan Collagen Boosting Gel Hyaluronic Acid Serum
from $59.95 at Vanessa Megan
Best for: Supple skin and improved elasticity
Dry skin can tend to look a bit more weathered than other skin types, due to a lack of moisture. This serum combats the first signs of ageing with a powerful mix of amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids and phytochemicals. When applied consistently in the morning, you can expect to see an improvement in the overall suppleness, firmness, elasticity and texture of your skin.
Sizes: 30ml
Key features:
- Kangaroo paw and banksia improve elasticity
- Hyaluronic acid delivers amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids and phytochemicals deep into the epidermis
- Promotes a glassy, smooth and youthful appearance
- Can be used as a makeup primer
- Apply two to six drops in the morning for best results
Dope Skin Co Vitamin C Antioxidant Elixir with CoQ10
from $44.95 at Dope Skin Co
Best for: Revitalising dull, tired skin
This oil-based serum contains a hefty amount of antioxidants to target dull, tired skin and revitalise the complexion. Despite it’s oil-based formula, this pick is lightweight and fast-absorbing, and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy either — just soft, supple and refreshed.
Sizes: 30ml
Key features:
- Coenzyme Q10 fights signs of ageing
- Vitamin E oil softens fine lines
- Argan oil nourishes the skin
- Vitamin C improves radiance and smooths texture
- Free from parabens, phthalates, formaldehydes, silicones, sulfates, mineral oils, synthetic fragrance and colours
Are serums good for dehydrated skin?
Serums are great for dehydrated skin as they are thinner in consistency than moisturisers, which mean they are able to penetrate deeper into the skin. When used in combination with a moisturiser they are able to hydrate the surface of the skin, as well as the first few layers of the dermis, which is the most effective method for prolonging moisture retention.
Is a hydrating serum the same as hyaluronic acid?
Hydrating serums can contain hyaluronic acid as a means of improving hydration levels in the skin, but not all hydrating serums will include hyaluronic acid. There are plenty of other hydrating humectant ingredients that function in a similar way, such as panthenol and glycerin.
Looking to save money on hydrating serums? Check out our coupon codes for MECCA, Sephora and more.
Main image credit: @jastookes
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
