15 Best Hydrating Serums to Soothe Dry, Irritated Skin

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With drier weather incoming, your usual cleansing and moisturizing routine may not be cutting it alone. You might be headed to the crisp air of a ski chalet, or simply needing some more heft in your beauty regimen. Elevate your skincare routine to new heights with a much-needed hydration serum which can have transformative properties for your skin. Benefits might include firmer or smoother texture, anti-aging antioxidants, a more radiant glow, and more. To find the best hydration serums available to shop online, we consulted with U.K.-based dermatologist Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme, scoured thousands of shopper reviews, and tested several of the favorites ourselves evaluating factors like cost, short-term versus long-term effect, feel and texture, and more. Read on for the best hydrating serums available for every skin type and concern.

Auracle Eye Serum

For those with inescapably dark undereye circles, the Dieux Auracle Eye Serum will practically erase those sleepless nights. Focused on softening the impact of wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, and more in the under-eye region, this hydrating serum feels more like a gel than a serum and comes in a reusable aluminum canister.

How to Use: Use twice per day—AM and PM. Using half a pump between both eyes, morning and night, gently massage Auracle in 360º motions around the entire eye area including lid—although avoid the lash line. This eye gel should be used after serums and before moisturizer.

Hydrate Facial Serum

This hydrating serum includes glycerin (which makes skin soft and supple), sodium PCA (a humectant that draws in and holds moisture in the upper layers of your skin), and allantoin (which soothes and calms skin.)

A reviewer reports: "I must be on my 3rd bottle of this now and about to order my next. Effectively hydrating and calming on the skin."

How to Use: Apply to freshly cleansed skin and follow with your favorite cream, oil, or moisturizer.

Motif Power Brightening Bicelle Serum

Including monkey fruit extract, bakuchiol, and ecklonia cava, this fragrance-free serum is light and milky, meant to absorb quickly for layering below makeup and sunscreen as preferred. Unlike other serums, this one does target hyperpigmentation and dark spots too.

A reviewer reports: "I love the Motif cleanser, but the serum is on a different level. I’ve noticed such a huge difference in my skin since starting. It absorbs in beautifully, smells amazing, and just leaves a radiance to my skin that I love. I’m a convert."

How to Use: After cleansing, apply 1-2 pumps to face and neck. Use daily in both AM and PM.

Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

If you've looked at hydrating serums before, chances are you've seen hyaluronic acid tossed around as a buzzword. The powerhouse ingredient smoothes and soothes skin for a healthy glow.

As one of the recommendations by U.K.-based dermatologist Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme, the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyluronic Acid Face Serum was developed in France by doctors to strengthen skin's moisture barrier, and is recommended by over 50,000 dermatologists worldwide. Reviewers note that a little goes a long way in terms of usage, and Dr. Ejikeme calls it "like a drink of water for the skin."

A reviewer reports: "My skin used to feel tight and look dull but this serum just brings back all that hydration."

How to Use: Use this pure hyaluronic acid facial skin care product as your first skincare step each AM and PM. Layer with daily moisturizer.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, recommended by Dr. Ejikeme, boosts the capacity of your skin to hold water and prevents elastic degradation with its potent formula of antioxidants including fermented roselle extract, heartleaf extract, reishi mushroom, iris root extract, and hydroxyproline.

A reviewer reports: "This product...is the first I've ever found that truly works. No creasing, no drying out or flaking. Worth every penny."

How to Use: Use morning and night after cleansing and softening skin, but before applying any other serums or moisturizers. Smooth evenly over your face and neck.

Seeds of Youth Serum

The targeted blend of hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower stem cell technology hydrates to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (Edelweiss Flower Plant Stem Cells have been clinically proven to increase luminosity in skin by 325% after 40 days, when used twice daily.) Soothing aloe makes it feel gentle on the skin too.

A reviewer reports: "I have rosacea prone skin and it makes everything complicated to choose or even find skin care line for my sensitive skin. The serum is super smooth and light and smells amazing."

How to Use: Use AM and PM after cleansers and toners. Massage 1-2 pumps onto the face and neck from the center outward. Gently tap to stimulate absorption

Lancôme Absolue Overnight Repairing Bi-Ampoule Concentrated Anti-Aging Serum

Previously named to Town & Country's Best Anti-Aging Serums too, the Lancôme Absolue Overnight Repairing Bi-Ampoule Concentrated Anti-Aging Serum has a dual-phased formula for all-night hydration and repair. The first phase is a 25% oil with 100% pure sunflower seed oil and antioxidant-rich vitamin E and rose oil, followed by a 75% essence phase with tri-ceramides, hyaluronic acid, grand rose extracts, and salicylic acid.

A reviewer reports: "This melts into your skin and adds hydration without being oily or sticky."

How to Use: Remove the seal from the bottle and attach the dropper. Before first use, activate by shaking the bottle until the two formula layers are evenly mixed. Remove and gently squeeze the rubber dropper to release 4–6 drops onto the palm of your hand or directly onto cleansed skin. Gently massage onto the face and neck until absorbed. Use daily, in the morning and at night, after cleansing and before your serums and moisturizers.

Hydrating Serum

Although Fount Society is new on the scene, this skincare brand "for the modern naturalist" is already making a splash (and already named to Oprah's Favorite Things 2023.) In my own experience with the hydrating serum, I noticed that it significantly calmed my dry, irritated skin after long days in the sun and seemed to improve my skin texture overall with consistent use.

The serum is powered by eight botanical hydrators including aloe vera, watermelon extract, glycerol, Japanese kelp, basil, tumeric, apple, and more. Actives include niacinamide, copper tripeptide-34, and hyaluronic acid.

It does take a little longer than other options I've tried to absorb into the skin, so is likely best for skin minimalists who don't have many steps in their routine.

How to Use: Apply after cleansing and wait to be absorbed.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

For an ultra-affordable option, skincare fanatics and casual users alike marvel at The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. The lightweight, water-based formula uses a combination of combination of low, medium, and high molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and a hyaluronic acid crosspolymer. In other words: it penetrates multiple layers of skin for a more thorough hydration. Because it's water-based, reviewers have noted to be careful about spilling.

A reviewer reports: "I've been using this in both the morning and at night, and it's been really useful in clearing away blemishes and scarring! It also leaves my skin glowing."

How to Use: Apply a few drops to face AM and PM before creams.

Circular Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum

Per recommendation by Dr. Ejikeme, this hydrating serum with a milky oil feel blends signal peptides and copper tri-peptides to help rebuild and repair damaged skin while supporting collagen and elastin production. In other words, it helps skin look more lifted and firm. In a clinical study after 4 weeks of use, 100% of participants agreed this product made lines and wrinkles on neck area less visible, while 100% agreed the serum immediately moisturized and made skin feel softer.

A reviewer reports: "This is the product that seems to do the most good in my skin care routine. [My] stressful year's been hard on my skin. This serum helps keep my stress hives to a minimum and actively reduces the lines around my eyes and forehead."

How to Use: On clean skin, dispense one to two pumps and gently pat onto slightly damp face and neck until fully absorbed. Apply daily, morning and night, and follow with moisturizer. During the day, follow with sunscreen.

The Concentrate

Who would we be if we didn't include an iconic La Mer pick? Dr. Ejikeme calls this "deeply hydrating," recommending it specifically for those with tired skin. In Town & Country's Best Anti-Aging Serums of 2023 list too, La Mer The Concentrate will "reduce redness and quickly work to reinforce the skin's barrier function so that serious healing can begin" after receiving chemical peels or other treatments, making it a powerful resource reliant on La Mer's signature MiracleBroth formula.

How to Use: With the wand, smooth a small amount onto fingertips. Gently press and massage onto skin at least twice daily or as needed. Follow with moisturizer.

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid, Anti Aging Face Serum

Le Roche-Posay is another shopper favorite, with both hyaluronic and salicylic acid for dual power in smoothing and brightening. Recommended by over 90,000 dermatologists worldwide, this exfoliating (yet soothing) serum targets dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Shoppers note it does oxidize quickly, so it's best for those who can store away from light or sun.

A reviewer reports: "No need to spend a fortune anymore. This stuff is liquid gold."

How to Use: Apply 3-4 drops every morning to the face and neck. Use alone or under your moisturizer. Avoid contact with eyes.

Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum

I first fell in love with Rodan + Fields for its quintessential lash serum, a bonafide and irreplaceable staple in my routine. So its hydration serum? Sign me up. The sleek silver capsule serum claims to Instantly boost hydration levels by 200% and lock in moisture on the surface of the skin. The formula contains 30% glycerin and cross-linked hyaluronic acid to draw moisture from the atmosphere and lock it on the surface of the skin.

A reviewer reports: "It gives me the supple texture I dream of."

How to Use: Twist cap counter-clockwise to unlock and remove.Push the top of the cap to pump one application of serum into your hand. Apply product over face, avoiding upper eyelids. The brand recommends nightly use if you have oily or combination skin, and dual AM and PM application if you have dry skin.

COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

Korean skincare elevated the role of snail mucin in our skin regimens, so much so that this Cosrx serum is a top seller on Amazon. Shoppers swear by its 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate to boost the skin barrier and reduce irritation. Don't knock it 'til you try it.

A reviewer reports: "I couldn't believe how effective this product is. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you'll appreciate the hydration boost."

How to Use: After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount on your entire face. Gently pat into face for absorption.

Storm Serum

Made with a proprietary complex to fight glycation (a process which leads to skin degradation) hyaluronic acid and a blend of 17 actives, and a patented delivery system, Storm serum creates a film over the skin—invisible of course—to lock in all of its skin-treating goodness. This serum is a win year round.

A reviewer writes: "I’ve tried a lot of serums and none of them have made it permanently into my routine. This one I think is it. I will continue to use this and I love how it feels and has made my skin better."

How to use: Apply a dropper full of product to clean skin on face and neck. Follow with moisturizer.

Intense Replenishing Serum

Not only does this serum plump and smoothe skin, it also protects it with the strongest antioxidant on the market, Lipochroman. Editors love it, and you're bound to love it too, once you get a feel for its ultra-silky texture and insane glow. Just you wait.

A reviewer writes: "I love this serum so much, I use it twice a day. It’s amazing to travel with, I reapply it every hour on a long flight and my skin looks refreshed after. Totally addictive and the most velvety texture ever."

How to use: Apply after cleansing or as a primer before makeup in your skincare routine.

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