While serums are touted as the key player in the fight against ageing, they’re also pretty handy when it comes to serving dry or dehydrated skin a moisture hit. Because the formulas are packed with a higher concentration of active ingredients (compared with regular moisturising creams), they’re far better at delivering potent ingredients—such as moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, but more on that in a moment—to the skin’s deeper layers. As with all skincare products, however, it’s vital to make sure you’ve got a serum that’s suited to your needs. So how do you find the best serum for your dry skin?
Whether your skin is dry all year-round, or just battling through a temporary patch of dehydration, certain ingredients are essential serum must-haves. Hyaluronic acid (also known as hyaluronan or HA), being top of the list. Though it still sounds like scary chemical peel territory to some, HA is actually a naturally derived substance present in plant and human cells. It's main function is to draw in moisture, which makes it especially desirable for those struggling to keep their skin hydrated. While it’s commonly used in its pure form, a salt derivative called sodium hyaluronate is extremely popular in the skincare world, thanks to its smaller molecular size, which makes it easier for the ingredient to penetrate the skin.
Along with plant oils, amino acids and ceramides, vitamin E is another key ingredient to be on the lookout for, especially when tag-teamed with vitamins A and C. It'll help replenish diminished moisture reserves—a common root cause of dull complexions—and speed up repair of dry, flaky or stressed-out skin too. Start scrolling through our selection below to take a look at the best serums for dry skin...
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9 Super Serums to Hydrate Parched Skin
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum (£25)
Pure hyaluronic acid plays tag team with red marine algae here to ensure that its hydrating, skin-plumping properties are delivered directly to the most parched areas of skin.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster (£47)
As well as boosting collagen to keep skin smooth and line-free, this cult serum also utilises moisture-binding ingredients including sodium hyaluronate (a salt derived from hyaluronic acid), vitamin E and rosehip extract to keep skin fully hydrated.
Bakel Deep Hydration Serum (£100)
Packed with active ingredients and hyaluronic acid , yet free from common irritants including perfumes, silicones and alcohol, this serum helps pump more water through skin cells for deep hydration.
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement (£45)
Suited to all skin types, this water-based serum contains vitamins E and C to replenish dry, lacklustre skin, plus sodium hyaluronate to help the skin retain more moisture.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Serum (£13)
This bestseller from The Body Shop marries vitamin E with wheatgerm oil and honey to replenish tight, dry skin and rebalance moisture levels.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum (£26)
Gentle on sensitive skin, this water-based gel serum contains a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice and colloidal oatmeal (different to the breakfast bowl kind) to lock moisture deep into the skin. It’s also backed up with collagen and peptides to smooth fine lines too.
Malin + Goetz Replenishing Face Serum (£54)
Great for all skin types, this oil-free serum combines Sodium PCA (an amino acid complex), vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate and chamomile extract to soothe and nourish dry skin prone to irritation.
Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum (£42)
Ideal for reactive skin in need of a soothing moisture boost, this organic formula contains sea aster (a coastal plant known for its skin soothing properties) and wild oat extract to calm redness and irritation, plus hyaluronic acid to gently replace lost moisture and aid repair.
Paula's Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster (£42)
Doubling-up on hyaluronic acid, this serum contains both the pure form of the hydrator as well as the salt derivative, sodium hyaluronate, for a serious moisture hit. Ceramides and phospholipids (lipids that play a major role in cell membrane function) also feature to repair and replenish dehydrated or damaged skin.
Already obsessed with any of these? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.
Opening Image: Jesse Fiorino for wildfox.com/Imaxtree
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