As far as skincare is concerned, there’s no category more confusing than face serums — for every probable skin woe there’s a serum formula to make its match.
But what if you have dry skin and you just want a hyaluronic acid, retinol or vitamin C serum that’ll work for your skin type? Well, that’s where we come in.
Here, marie claire has simplified the ‘serum for dry skin’ category with a succinct guide to the essential serums you can use in your routine on rotation, so you can reap the rewards of an intuitively-led approach to skin care.
Want to know how to decipher the mass of serums available to shop in Australia? Keep reading for the lowdown and some clarity…
2024’s top serum for dry skin
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $15.90, Priceline
- Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, $198, Cult Beauty
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $242, MYER
The best serum for dry skin 2024
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
from $15.90 at Priceline
Best for: The hyaluronic acid serum
The Ordinary reformulated the brand’s bestselling HA + B5 serum earlier this year, and the addition of ceramides and a revaluation of texture (we’re talking non-sticky and lightweight) have resulted in this iteration being just as beloved, if not more, than its predecessor.
Sizes: 30ML / 60ML
Key features:
- Non-tacky, lightweight texture
- Contains five forms of hyaluronic acid
- Enriched with ceramides and panthenol
- Instantly boosts hydration levels in the skin
- Smooths texture and wrinkles
Available at:
- $15.90 from Priceline
- $15.90 from MYER
- $15.90 from Adore Beauty
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
from $198 at Cult Beauty
Best for: The retinol serum
Despite retinol’s reputation as a hard-to-use ingredient, this serum uses a blend of five per cent retinoid esters, one per cent liposomal-encapsulated retinol, and 0.5 per cent blue-green algae (a natural retinol alternative) to curb potential side effects associated with traditional retinol formulas.
Sizes: 15ML / 30ML / 60ML
Key features:
- Contains a 6.5 per cent blend of stabilised retinoid blends and retinol-alternatives
- Enriched with a a balancing and soothing combination of Hawaiian white honey, bisabolol, cactus extract, and ginger
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Promotes a balanced, healthy-looking complexion
- Evens skin tone and smooths texture
Available at:
- $198 from Cult Beauty
- $200 from ASOS
- $203 from MECCA
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
from $242 at MYER
Best for: The vitamin C serum
Formulated with dry skin in mind, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic delivers impressive results with the slow release serum effectively benefitting the skin up to 72 hours after application.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of 15 per cent L-Ascorbic acid, one per cent alpha tocopherol, and 0.5 per cent ferulic acid
- Improves skin firmness
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Protects the skin from environmental aggressors
- Brightens and enhances radiance
Available at:
- $242 from MYER
- $242 from Adore Beauty
- $242 from SkinCeuticals
Beauty Of Joseon Glow Serum Propolis + Niacinamide
from $16.85 at Beauty Amora
Best for: The niacinamide serum
We can personally attest that the glow and dewy finish your skin will have after using this pick is hard to emulate. In fact, we’ve yet to find a niacinamide serum that plumps and hydrates as well as this propolis extract-based formula.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains a blend of 60 per cent propolis extract and two per cent niacinamide
- Controls sebum production
- Maintains hydration levels in the skin
- Soothes skin
- Minimises pore size
Available at:
- $16.85 from Beauty Amora
- $22.71 from YesStyle
- $28.20 from Amazon Australia
Drunk Elephant Protini
Powerpeptide Resurf Serum
from $127 at Amazon Australia
Best for: The exfoliating serum
If you love the concept of resurfacing, exfoliating serums, but don’t love how dry they leave your skin feeling, then you need to try this pick. It’s pumped full of polypeptides that firm, strengthen and improve radiance, while boosting hydration levels in the skin.
Sizes: 30ML
Key features:
- Contains 10 per cent lactic acid and polypeptides
- Firms and tones
- Improves texture and enhances radiance
- Strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier
- Boosts hydration levels
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
from $199 at MYER
Best for: The soothing serum
Sometimes dry skin just needs a supportive, soothing best friend to lean on, and this recovery and repair complex is just that.
Sizes: 30ML / 50ML / 75ML
Key features:
- Penetrates quickly and deeply into skin
- Contains Tripeptide-32 to minimise the signs of ageing, smooth texture, even skin tone and enhance radiance
- Strengthens the skin’s natural barrier repair function
- A blend of hyaluronic acid and moisture boosters promote 72 hour hydration
- Protects skin from environmental aggressors
Is hyaluronic acid good for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a staple skin care ingredient as far as dry skin types are concerned. The humectant effortlessly draws and binds water to it, ensuring skin stays hydrated and plump long after you’ve applied your skin care routine.
Is retinol good for dry skin?
Although retinol can cause dryness and flaking initially, that doesn’t mean it’s completely off the cards for dry skin. After your skin has had the chance to get used to the ingredient it should aid the skin in resurfacing and renewal, minimising the appearance of traits typically associated with dry skin such as dry patches, texture, redness and uneven skin tone.
Looking to save money on a serum for dry skin? Check out our coupon codes for MECCA, Sephora and more.
Main image credit: @hoskelsa
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
