What is the best hydrating serum? Deep hydration whatever your skin type
Hydrating serums are a great way of treating tired and dehydrated skin. Mostly, water-based serums work by drawing moisture into the skin. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid are excellent at plumping the skin and targeting the first signs of ageing. A healthy skin barrier also helps retain moisture, so it is important to look for barrier-boosting ingredients. A top tip is to use a facial serum before a moisturiser for the best hydration.
There are thousands of hydrating hyaluronic acid serums available, and choosing the best one for your needs can be difficult. We’ll help you understand which ingredients to look for in a hydrating serum and how to choose the right product for your skin goals.
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Which skincare ingredients hydrate your skin?
There are some clear hero ingredients to include in your skincare routine for boosting skin hydration. Learn about the key ingredients to look out for in your next hydrating face serum:
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Hyaluronic acid: This miracle molecule holds up to 1000x its weight in water and occurs naturally in our skin. To quench dry and hydrated skin, try Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum.
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Polyglutamic acid holds 5,000 times its weight in water and can be derived from animals or fermented from plants such as soy. The polyglutamic acid serum from Inkey List provides a perfect make-up canvas and forms a thin, smooth and moisturising film on the skin.
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Sugars, such as trehalose or mannose, can draw moisture into the skin. Look for isotonic solutions, such as the Vichy Aqualina Thermal Rehydration Serum
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Minerals: Like electrolytes, minerals are essential for hydrating the whole body, as they help balance moisture levels in the skin and lock in the moisture from your skincare products. Vichy Mineral 89 Serum is ideal for sensitive skin and is designed to rehydrate and protect the delicate skin barrier.
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Water: It may seem self-explanatory, but a hydrating face serum must contain enough water to ensure the active ingredient can work effectively. Avene Hydrance Boost has a water-rich formula for intense hydration.
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Gentle acids: Although exfoliating, lactic acid or glycolic acid can bind to water molecules and draw them into the skin. An exfoliating serum may often contain lactic acid or glycolic acid.
A healthy skin barrier is essential for locking in moisture. Here are our favourite barrier-boosting ingredients:
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Niacinamide (vitamin B3): try Avene Hydrance Boost.
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Vitamin B5: try La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 serum.
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Ceramides: try CeraVe Hydrating Serum.
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Fatty acids.
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Peptides: try Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum.
Our top picks for hydrating face serums
It can be challenging to choose a hydrating face serum, particularly with thousands of products to choose from. Benefit from insider knowledge about face serums and the secret to hydrated skin - narrow down your options for a hydrating serum.
1. Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum 50ml
Ella and Jo’s hydrating hyaluronic acid serum is the top choice for quenching dehydrated skin. This beloved product instantly plumps the skin and targets fine lines and wrinkles. It’s one of our favourite radiance-boosting serums and never fails to leave your skin hydrated and smooth.
Ella & Jo uses ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to instantly boost hydration and maintain a healthy glow all day long. Peptide serums help stimulate skin rejuvenation and protect against transepidermal water loss day after day.
Price: €42.00
Customer rating: 4.9/5
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2. Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum 30ml
Do you want healthy, balanced, and hydrated skin? Look no further than this ultimate skin nourisher from Dermalogica. You’ll get all-day deep hydration from the moment of application. This facial serum penetrates deep into the skin for ultimate hydration and even more radiance over time.
A unique blend of hyaluronic acid, an algal moisturising matrix, polyglutamic acid, sugars and oat kernel extract ensures your skin absorbs and locks in moisture. Amino acids and probiotics restore skin microbiome balance and boost skin vitality after every use.
Price: €69.00
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3. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml
La Roche Posay delivers a tired skin saviour with this hydrating facial serum. This intensely hydrating treatment is clinically proven to re-plump and repair skin in just 24 hours and tackles the first signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. The lightweight formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and madecassoside (Centella extract), which helps accelerate collagen synthesis for firmer, more elastic skin.
Price: €45.00
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4. Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Price: €27.50
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5. Avene Hydrance Boost Hydrating Serum 30ml
A must-have face serum for dull and dry skin, Avene Hydrance Boost Hydrating Serum has 96% natural origin ingredients and delivers up to 48 hours of hydration. The ultra-lightweight water-gel formula is non-sticky and non-greasy, ideal for oily or combination skin. Avene Hydrance Boost contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (vitamin B3) for a supple and long-lasting glow - this product also helps support skin barrier function.
Price: €32.50
Customer rating: 5/5
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Choosing the best hydrating serum for your skin’s needs
It is important to understand which serum is right for you to get the most benefits for your skin. Browse our favourite hydrating face serum by skin type, use case and concern:
The best hydrating serum for severely dry skin:
The best hydrating serum for daily use:
The best hydrating serum for oily skin:
The best value hydrating serum:
The best hydrating serum for glowing skin:
The best hydrating serum for sensitive skin:
The best hydrating serum for combination skin:
The best hydrating serum for mature skin:
The best hydrating eye serum:
The best budget hydrating serum:
The best hydrating serum for athletes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hydrating serum do?
A hydration serum aims to draw moisture into the skin and prevent water loss from the skin by reinforcing the skin barrier. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid draw moisture into the skin. Peptides, ceramides and B vitamins are examples of ingredients which maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Does vitamin C hydrate skin?
Vitamin C serums are very popular for brightening the skin complexion and enhancing radiance. However, vitamin C doesn’t directly moisturise the skin. Antioxidants are useful for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, which is why some hydrating serums contain vitamin C.
Is hyaluronic acid hydrating?
Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin and is responsible for hydration and plumpness. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular hydrating ingredients in skincare. It draws moisture into the skin and prevents water loss.
Is niacinamide hydrating?
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 does not directly hydrate the skin but helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. Moreover, niacinamide can help reduce large pores and provide a lasting glow, which is why it’s used in some hydrating serums.
