5 Best Hydrating Serums for Dry & Dehydrated Skin

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You’ve applied your favourite moisturiser and drunk your 2 litres of water, but your skin still feels tight and dull. Sounds familiar? Dry and dehydrated skin is something we’ve all dealt with. Trust me. I’ve been there!

If your skin is crying out for hydration, adding a serum to your daily skincare routine can help. While dry and dehydrated skin aren’t exactly the same, hydrating serums help to attract and lock in moisture to address both these skin concerns.

Unlike traditional moisturisers, serums have lightweight formulas designed to deliver targeted ingredients to the skin. I’ve researched some of the UK’s top-rated formulas - and I’m sharing the ones that are truly worth your money.

What is a Hydrating Serum?

A hydrating serum is a lightweight skincare product that’s designed to deliver moisture-attracting ingredients to the skin. Unlike your daily moisturiser, it’s usually formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients. Both products serve the same purpose of hydrating the skin and supporting your skin barrier, but a hydrating serum can give dry or dehydrated skin an added boost.

The right hydrating serum will offer your skin long-lasting hydration, leaving it looking softer, plumper, and more radiant. Like most skincare products, a good hydrating serum doesn’t have to break the bank. The secret is to find one that specifically addresses your skincare concerns, whether you have dry or dehydrated skin. Most serums will use ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and while these will improve skin hydration, they shouldn’t replace your daily moisturiser. 

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin: What’s the Difference?

Before I jump into my product recommendations, I want to take a second to cover the differences between dry vs. dehydrated skin. While one is a specific skin type and the other is a temporary skin condition, there are other subtle differences that might help you determine which hydrating serum is best for your current skin concerns.

Did you know that you can have oily but dehydrated skin? This commonly happens during winter or if you’re in a humid environment. Staying somewhere new with air conditioning can also leave your skin feeling dehydrated. 

Dry skin is often sensitive, so it’s worth looking out for ingredients that are less likely to irritate your skin or react with active ingredients in your other skincare products.

What Ingredients Should You Look For In a Hydrating Serum?

When you’re shopping for any skincare product, you want to pay attention to the active ingredients. Here are a few to look out for when buying a serum for dry or dehydrated skin:

• Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that attracts and helps retain water, one of the most popular ingredients for skin hydration.

• Glycerin: Another humectant that helps attract moisture into the skin.

• Ceramides: Lipids that are naturally found in the skin and help support your skin barrier to stop moisture loss and protect against environmental toxins. 

• Panthenol: Safe for sensitive skin and works well with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, soothing the skin and helping to attract and lock-in moisture. 

• Squalane: Mimics your skin’s natural oils, locking in moisture without clogging your pores, leaving your skin soft to the touch.

While these ingredients are great for a hydrating serum, you can also prioritise them in other skincare products if you’re focusing on supporting or repairing your skin barrier. Most of these ingredients can be used alongside retinol if you’re starting to incorporate anti-ageing products into your routine.

Here are the best hydrating serums that deserve a spot in your daily skincare routine:

Best for a Damaged Skin Barrier: Byoma Hydrating Serum

If you want a product that isn’t just another hyaluronic acid serum, this is for you. This Byoma serum has a milky consistency and is formulated with a soothing blend of ceramides that support your skin barrier. It absorbs into the skin with zero stickiness, leaving your skin looking and feeling soft to the touch.

Kickstart your skincare routine by adding this budget-friendly serum to your cart.

Best Budget Hydrating Serum: Revolution Skin’s Dewy Drench Hydrating Serum

If you want that glass-skin look  that’s all over social media, you don’t have to spend a fortune. This Revolution Skin serum gives your skin a gorgeous, dewy finish. According to reviews, it absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling plump and fresh all day long - making it a great, budget-friendly pick for a low-maintenance routine.

Upgrade your skincare routine without breaking the bank with this £8 ‘glass skin’ serum!

Best for Sensitive Skin: Avene Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum

Avène is well-known for its gentle, skin-soothing formulas. This hydrating serum features a lightweight water-gel consistency that glides on smoothly. A huge standout feature is that it leaves absolutely zero sticky residue - a huge plus if you hate heavy products. It’s designed to leave skin feeling instantly calm, soft, and refreshed, making it a reliable pick for intense hydration.

If your skin needs a little TLC, splurge on this hydration boost serum for the ultimate skincare reset.

Best for Fine Lines: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum

This serum is often described as 8 hours of deep sleep in a bottle. It offers a richer, more luxurious feel than standard hyaluronic acid serums, melting into the skin to leave it looking plump, smooth, and bouncy. While it comes with a higher price tag, it’s widely praised for delivering that coveted glowing, well-rested look.

Are you starting to think about fine lines? This dermatologist-recommended anti-wrinkle serum is the perfect place to start.

Best Organic Hydrating Serum: Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200

What’s not to love about skincare that’s handmade in small batches in the British countryside? This organic hyaluronic acid serum stands out as a dream choice for anyone who prefers a lightweight, silky formula. Packed with 99% natural, certified organic ingredients, it offers an instant hydration boost without any unnecessary additives - making it a fantastic option for fussy skincare enthusiasts.

Make the switch to organic beauty by adding my favourite British-made skincare to your wishlist.

How to Choose the Best Hydrating Serum For Your Skin Type

Although the hydrating serums above can be used for any skin type, some are better suited than others. You’ll want to consider your specific skin type, other skin concerns, your budget, and any ingredient preferences when choosing your serum.

How to Use a Hydrating Serum In Your Daily Skincare Routine

The order that you use your skincare products is important to give you the best results. You typically want to start by applying the thinnest or lightest products first, working up to the ones with a thicker consistency. This method allows for better absorption and allows your heavier products, such as moisturisers and oils, to act as a protective seal to your skin, locking in your other products.

Here’s a basic skincare routine:

1. Cleanse your skin 

2. Apply a toner or essence

3. Use your hydrating serum

4. Lock in hydration with a moisturiser 

5. Apply an SPF in the morning

You can expand this simple skincare routine by double cleansing (a great option for night-time!) or by adding in extra steps like a sheet mask or eye cream if you’re following a Korean-inspired routine. You don’t need to overcomplicate your routine or have 10 steps that you follow every day. The best skincare routine is one that you can be consistent with. 

Should You Use a Moisturiser After a Hydrating Serum?

It’s easy to assume that a hydrating serum might take the place of your daily moisturiser, but you want to be using both of these products together. A hydrating serum helps deliver moisture-attracting ingredients to your skin, while a moisturiser supports your skin barrier and reduces moisture loss. These skincare products complement each other and help you get the most out of your active ingredients.

How Often Should You Use a Hydrating Serum?

Although a hydrating serum can be used in both your morning and evening routine, you might start by using it once a day. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to slowly introduce new products one at a time, although hydrating serums are easier to incorporate into your routine than retinoids or exfoliating products.

Can You Use a Hydrating Serum With Other Skincare Ingredients?

Did you know that some active ingredients don’t agree with each other? You want to make sure that all the ingredients in your skincare routine complement each other. Every formula is different, but generally vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, and AHAs/BHAs work well with popular hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

FAQs About Hydrating Serums

What’s the best hydrating serum for dry skin?

Avene Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum is my top recommendation for a hydrating serum if you have dry skin. It leaves no sticky residue behind and helps to immediately calm irritated skin. Always use your hydrating serum alongside a heavier moisturiser if you have dry skin.

Can oily skin types use a hydrating serum?

Yes, you can still use a hydrating serum if you have an oily skin type. Oily skin can still be dehydrated, causing it to produce more oil to protect itself. Look for formulas with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin. 

Do I still need to use moisturiser after a hydrating serum?

You should always use a moisturiser after applying your serum as it seals in hydration by creating a protective barrier. Wait for 30-60 seconds to allow your serum to absorb into the skin before applying your moisturiser. 

Is hyaluronic acid good for dry skin?

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for dry skin as it holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, drawing hydration deeply into your skin cells. It hydrates your skin without leaving it feeling greasy, and it can help reduce the feeling of tightness and calm skin irritation.

Final Thoughts: Which Hydrating Serum Is Right For Your Skin?

To find the best hydrating serums, I looked closely at top-rated formulas, focusing on key active ingredients, absorption rates, and how well they maintain moisture throughout the day based on real user experiences. While hydrating serums behave differently on everyone’s skin, I’ve narrowed down my top 5 above to help you find the right match for your specific skin concerns!

A hydrating serum is a product you should be using year-round, but now is the perfect time to add it to your routine as we head into autumn. Remember: stay consistent and get to your active ingredients to understand how your skincare products work together.