Best Milky Serum: Ilia The Base Face Milk
- Why We Love It: Safe to say, Ilia knows a thing or two about keeping skin in its most optimal, radiant state. That’s why we’re particularly excited about its latest launch—The Base Face Milk. Think of it as a serum-meets-moisturizer; it aims to hydrate, strengthen, and soothe the skin through hyaluronic acid, microalgae extract, and prickly pear flower extract. Those with dry skin should apply this just before your chosen face cream to lock in moisture.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, allantoin, microalgae extract, prickly pear flower extract, phospholipids, phytosterols
- Texture: Milky toner
- Best For: Sensitive to acne-prone skin types, textured skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Cooling: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum
- Why We Love It: Designed to cool, calm, and soothe dry winter skin, iS Clinical’s Hydra-Cool Serum might just be the cold weather salve you’ve been searching for. Just apply a few drops of the lightweight elixir to the skin for a quick moisture boost; plus, it’s safe for sensitive, acne, and irritation-prone skin types.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, mushroom, vitamin B
- Texture: Serum
- Best For: Irritated to acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Luminizer: Saie Glowy Super Gel
- Why We Love It: Saie is all about minimalist makeup with skin-care benefits. Case in point: its illuminating gel is crafted like a brightening serum, with a potent blend of vitamin C and soothing papaya seed oil standing out in the ingredients list. Its reflective minerals, like mica, make it the ideal natural glam that delivers subtle luminosity to the skin. Mix it into foundation for a glowing makeup base, or wear it alone for a lit-from-within look.
- Key Ingredients: Plant-derived glycerin, vitamin C olive-derived squalane, rosehip seed oil, mica , papaya seed oil
- Texture: Gel
- Best For: Makeup as skincare
- Fragrance-Free: No
Best Budget: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Why We Love It: This Good Molecules serum may be simple, containing just eight ingredients, but it still packs a hydrating punch. Two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid lead the formula to replenish the skin’s moisture levels and reveal a bouncier complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate
- Texture: Serum
- Best For: Sensitive to irritated skin types, acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best K-Beauty: Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Why We Love It: Torriden is a rising star in the K-beauty world, and it’s easy to see why. With potent formulas available at accessible prices, this hydrating serum is packed with five types of hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize dry skin without leaving a greasy or sticky feeling behind. Meanwhile, ingredients like panthenol and allantoin calm down irritated skin to help even out your overall complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Low-molecular hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, witch hazel leaf extract, purslane extract
- Texture: Gel-serum
- Best For: Oily to acne-prone skin types, normal to dry skin types
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Prestige: Dr. Lara Devgan Hyaluronic Serum
- Why We Love It: If you’re seeking prestige skincare created by a cosmetics expert, look no further than Dr. Lara Devgan. An award-winning plastic surgeon, Dr. Devgan brings her extensive knowledge into each of her high-quality products—and this hyaluronic acid serum is no exception. Formulated with a mixed molecular weight hyaluronic acid blend, the serum penetrates deeply into the skin, providing immediate hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve overall skin barrier health.
- Key Ingredients: Mixed-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Bamboo extract, panthenol, glycerin
- Texture: Serum
- Best For: Rosacea, mature skin, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
What are the benefits of hydrating serums?
Hydrating serums are a powerful addition to any skincare routine, especially during winter. Beyond the obvious benefit of moisturizing, regular use of high-quality hydrating serums offers several other advantages. Los Angeles based board certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin explains that hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient of any hydrating serum. “Hyaluronic acid acts like a sponge, drawing water into the skin and holding onto it, which helps keep your skin soft, smooth, and moisturized throughout the day,” she says. “It also supports skin elasticity and firmness by maintaining hydration and boosting collagen production, which helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.” Board certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman agrees, noting that hydrating serums also offer additional benefits, including promoting wound healing, aiding tissue repair, and reducing inflammation in conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Are hydrating serums safe for all skin types?
The best part of hydrating serums is that they’re ultimate crowd-pleasers, offering unique formulations for every skin concern. Dr. Amin explains that the hyaluronic acid in these serums is generally safe for all skin types—whether sensitive, oily, dry, or acne-prone.
How To Choose a Hydrating Serum:
The key to choosing the right hydrating serum is selecting ingredients that address your specific skincare concerns throughout the year. “For oily skin, opt for lightweight, water-based serums. If you have dry or mature skin, look for serums containing ceramides or peptides for added hydration and nourishment,” Dr. Amin advises.
