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When skin feels dry, irritated, rough, and tight, sometimes a face moisturizer alone doesn’t cut it—after all, severe dry skin needs serious, intensive solutions. Enter the best serums for dry skin, chock-full of skin soothers and moisture-loving ingredients (more on that below). A great face serum for dryness effectively moisturize and replenish lackluster, aggravated skin, helping it repair the skin barrier and regain hydration, while preventing moisture loss. But how do you find the right one for your particular skin type and skin concerns? We went straight to the experts, speaking to dermatologists and estheticians to narrow down the most hydrating serums that’ll leave you looking dewy, moisturized, and plump.
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Four out of the five experts we spoke to sang the praises of this ultrahydrating serum, listing it alongside products 10 times its cost. With a skin-loving trifecta of hyaluronic acid, madecassoside (more commonly known as centella asiatica), and vitamin B5 (which binds to and holds water to moisturize the skin), the formula goes beyond basic moisturization, effectively smoothing, soothing, and repairing dry, tight skin. According to Teresa Song, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, the additional anti-inflammatory properties are a boon for sensitive or irritated skin. Amy Peterson, a medical esthetician and founder of Miami-based med spa Skincare by Amy Peterson, says the noncomedogenic formula is suitable for any and all skin types. And with a boost of antioxidants from La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water, the face serum makes skin more resilient, protecting it from free radicals and environmental aggressors alike. The cherry on top? The formula is as accessible as it is sophisticated.
Size: 1.01 oz. / Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, glycerin, vitamin B5 / Skin types: All
A favorite among experts and beauty writers alike, the Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum is exactly as its name suggests: intense. With a viscous, pillowy feel to it, the serum’s texture lands somewhere between a traditional serum and a gel, delivering immediate, deep nourishment to the skin on contact. A slew of hydrating heavy hitters like glycolipids and linoleic acid trap moisture into the skin’s surface, while antioxidants and skin-soothing vitamins work to make skin more resilient and increase luminosity. The innovative serum is a favorite of Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore, who tested this Dr. Loretta serum and says it soothed her retinol-burned skin. It plays nicely with all skin types and delivers a luscious layer of deep moisture to the skin.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Lipochroman, vitamin E, linoleic acid, glycolipids / Skin types: All
According to David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York, this Aveeno face serum delivers a one-two punch of hydration and anti-inflammatory properties that’s made all the more impressive by its wallet-friendly price. The gentle serum instantly smooths and soothes thanks to its namesake triple oat complex, which is clinically proven to lock in moisture for rough, dry skin. Meanwhile, the formula boasts prebiotic- and antioxidant-rich ingredients to both revitalize the skin’s barrier and protect against environmental aggressors, making it a one-stop shop for healing, restoring, and protecting dry, sensitive skin.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Triple oat complex, glycerin, centella asiatica extract / Skin types: Sensitive
What happens when you pair a cocktail of super-hydrators with nature’s most effective problem solvers? You get the ultimate serum, designed to home in on the skin’s most persistent challenges for complete correction, hydration, and renewal. The result is an all-encompassing solution to your greatest skin care woes in a fast-absorbing, surprisingly gentle formula. A unique mix of vitamin C, resveratrol, squalane, pomegranate seed concentrate, and the brand’s proprietary TFC8 blend delivers on every front—hydrating, soothing, plumping, antiaging, increased elasticity, and reduced hyperpigmentation. The blend of vitamin C and resveratrol makes it particularly great for brightening dark spots and evening out skin tone while delivering deep moisture that plumps the skin. And of course, it's chock-full of antioxidants to keep the skin protected all day long. “It’s a fantastic serum,” Dr. Kim gushes. “The texture is exceptional and it’s very hydrating. You’ll wake up the next day with supple, moist skin.”
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: TFC8, vitamin C, polysaccharide moisture complex / Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily
For persistent redness and finicky, sensitive skin, this Dr. Jart+ serum is a gentle, hydrating, and repairing godsend. According to Dr. Song, centella asiatica (which calms inflammation) and soothing allantoin join forces to deliver nearly instant relief from irritation and flare-ups, while glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air and sealing it into the skin as well as working to alleviate signs of sensitivity over time. The lightweight texture penetrates and absorbs into the skin within seconds to instantly reduce visible redness and boost the skin barrier. The face serum also boasts antioxidant properties, protecting the skin from external aggressors. Pro tip: For extra-soothing properties, keep it in the fridge for a cool boost.
Size: 1.01 oz. / Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, glycerin / Skin types: Sensitive, normal, combination
Coarse skin, wrinkles, and fine lines are a thing of the past with this all-in-one skin treatment. An elegant blend of growth factors, antioxidants, peptides, marine extract, and green microalgae moisturizes lackluster skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out tone and skin texture thanks to its next-generation formula. Dr. Kim says the lightweight formula delivers intense hydration while addressing a slew of aging-skin concerns with its cocktail of active ingredients. It’s the ultimate addition to a mature skin care routine, yielding the results of two to three serums in just a single pump.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: TNS-MR, RSC advanced, glycerin / Skin types: Mature, normal
Managing acne-prone skin is as much about the acne itself as it is all the brutal side effects that come with acne—redness, irritation, dryness, inflammation, the list goes on. This Skinceuticals serum addresses every last acne-related concern in one fell swoop. The gel-serum is jam-packed with ingredients that hydrate, soothe, comfort, and alleviate redness and sensitivity—all without causing further inflammation and irritation. Not only does it deliver that instant boost of hydration and redness relief, but it’s also brightening, working to lighten the appearance of post-acne hyperpigmentation and scarring over time. With a natural cooling effect and a non-oily texture, it checks all the boxes for acne-prone skin.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Thyme extract, olive extract, cucumber extract, eucalyptus leaf, hyaluronic acid / Skin types: Acne-prone, combination, normal, sensitive
Board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, lists the Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Retinol Serum as a favorite one-two punch for tackling visible signs of aging while addressing dry, uncomfortable skin. And it really is quite the feat. The formula utilizes a microdose of retinol along with ceramides (a potent moisturizing agent), peptides, and glycerin to keep those ugly retinol side effects to a minimum and leave skin feeling hydrated, supple, and firm. The result is a gentle but potent antiaging combination that’s both brightening and skin-boosting, while delivering all the goodness retinol has to offer without any of the pesky dryness or irritation.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, peptides / Skin types: Dry, mature, acne-prone, normal, combination
Both Dr. Song and Dr. Kim count this drugstore favorite among their top picks for hyaluronic acid serums. The lightweight serum is seriously hydrating thanks to dry-skin soothers like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and three different ceramides. The formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, and paraben-free, as well as noncomedogenic, making it an ideal pick for any and all skin types. Plus, there’s even some niacinamide in there to help calm and soothe angry, flaky skin. The gel-cream texture absorbs into the skin within seconds, leaving skin instantly smoother and softer.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 / Skin types: All
When it comes to quenching dry skin pre-makeup, it’s a delicate balance between locking in deep hydration and prepping the skin for the products to come. Luckily, The Outset’s Firming and Plumping Prep Serum does just that. Pumped with hyaluroset complex, a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid, along with vegan collagen and seedcake extract, the serum effectively smoothes, firms, and plumps lackluster skin for a more radiant-looking complexion—and it has some pretty solid brightening effects over time. Perhaps most important, it boosts moisture and hydration without ever pilling under layers of primer, foundation, concealer, powder, and so on.
Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Hyaluroset complex, vegan collagen, seedcake extract / Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive
Face serums help you layer on hydrating, moisturizing ingredients that can help alleviate dry skin. Unlike a moisturizer, serums are thinner in consistency and can penetrate deeper into the skin, allowing for a higher concentration of moisturizing ingredients to be delivered. But it’s not necessarily a one-and-done situation. “For dry skin, I recommend applying a hydrating serum twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, after cleansing and before moisturizing,” says Peterson. “Consistent application is key for optimal hydration.” And don’t forget to apply the serum to damp skin. According to Dr. Song, not only is damp skin easier to penetrate than dry skin, but it will also help lock in any moisture sitting on top of the skin.
To simplify things, Dr. Hirsch suggests breaking down moisturizing ingredients into three subcategories: occlusives, emollients, and humectants. Each subcategory functions differently to assist with dryness, so you’ll want to look for products that offer a combination of ingredients in each category.
Additionally, ingredients like ceramides and peptides can help strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss, explains Dr. Kim. Meanwhile, Peterson says antioxidants can help reinvigorate the skin and protect from environmental stressors. These ingredients can work alongside those moisturizers to hydrate, moisturize, and protect the skin. In essence, a great hydrating serum should include a mix of the above ingredients.
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