If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

12 of the Best Hydrating Serums for Dry Skin

By
Amy Lewis
Byrdie writer Amy Lewis headshot
Amy Lewis
Amy is a freelance journalist who specializes in beauty, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle. She has written for Byrdie, Who What Wear, and Stylist.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 06/10/24 08:00PM
Reviewed by
Julia A. Siegel, MD
Julia Siegel
Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD
Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. 
About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Two hands holding two glass serum bottles each

Stocksy

Let's face it: Serums are the often-overlooked hero in skincare—especially when it comes to hydrating dry skin. They help amp up the benefits of whatever comes after, acting as something of an ultimate hype man for moisturizers, night creams, and the like.

"Hydrating serums help elevate the efficacy of your moisturizer," says Dr. Lauren Penzi of MDCS Dermatology. "They're usually layered under moisturizer, drawing moisture from the moisturizer itself and the environment, and overall enhancing the skin's hydration." Because the formulas are packed with a higher concentration of active ingredients (compared with regular moisturizing creams), they're far better at delivering potent ingredients—such as moisture-binding hyaluronic acid—to the skin's deeper layers.

In the interest of giving serums the credit they deserve, we rounded up 12 of our favorite hydrating serums specifically geared toward dry skin.

Meet the Expert

  • Vee Mistry is a celebrity facialist and holistic skin expert at SKINBYVEE® in New York, NY.
  • Gwen Salakaia and Ani Pkhakadze are co-founders of Georgian skincare brand Senself.
  • Dr. Lauren Penzi is a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, NY.

Darphin Hydraskin Intensive Skin Hydrating Serum

Darphin Hydraskin Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum
Darphin Hydraskin Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum $85.00
Shop

Darphin's hydrating serum is seriously good for dehydrated, tight complexions. It absorbs fast and leaves skin looking dewy and supple.

Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum

Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum
Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum $24.00
Shop

Pixi's Hydrating Milky Serum is soothing and hydrating. It uses glycerin to trap moisture in the skin while also reducing shine without clogging pores. "Glycerin is an important ingredient to look for in a hydrating serum," says Dr. Penzi. "It's a humectant that helps draw water into the skin and reinforces the skin barrier to keep the moisture locked in." Plus, the formula's aloe vera and rose extract have an airy fragrance.

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate
Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate $48.00
Shop

You say "po-tay-to", I say "po-ta-ta." Sure, this says it's a 'concentrate,' but that's essentially the same as a serum. Clinique's light gel-like consistency boosts skin moisture and retains it for up to 72 hours, supporting your skin's optimal function. That way, it can protect itself during the day and repair itself at night. Hydration really is that important.

Byrdie Tip

When choosing a hydrating serum, Senself's Gwen Salakaia and Ani Pkhakadze recommend looking for the following ingredients: hyaluronic acid, PGA (polyglutamic acid), sodium PCA (pyroglutamic acid), or even glycerin.

Jurlique Rare Rose Serum

Jurlique Moisture Plus Rare Rose Serum
Jurlique Rare Rose Serum $64.00
Shop

Rose extracts are often used to hydrate; they're the hero ingredient in this serum from Jurlique. It also contains complexion-protecting antioxidants and essential fatty acids to help restore the skin's natural barrier. Think smooth, hydrated, and happier skin.

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum (
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum $25.00
Shop

Pure hyaluronic acid plays tag team with red marine algae in the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum, ensuring that all the hydrating, skin-plumping properties are delivered directly to the most parched areas of the skin.

Senself Calming Botanical Serum

Senself Calming Botanical Serum
Senself Calming Botanical Serum $120.00
Shop

Senself offers a calming botanical serum formulated with hyaluronic acid to give speedy relief for sensitive, redness-prone skin. It targets moisture, cell replenishment, and wound healing.

Byrdie Tip

Experts recommend applying your skincare products from thinnest to thickest. That means post-cleanse, you should apply toner first, then serum, followed by your moisturizer of choice.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum $40.00
Shop

First Aid Beauty's gel serum is gentle on sensitive skin. It's water-based and contains a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice, and colloidal oatmeal to lock moisture deep into the skin. The formula is also backed up with collagen and peptides to smooth fine lines.

Malin + Goetz Replenishing Face Serum

Malin + Goetz Replenishing Face Serum
Malin + Goetz Replenishing Face Serum $70.00
Shop

Malin + Goetz's Replenishing Face Serum is great for all skin types. The oil-free formula combines sodium PCA (an amino-acid complex), vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate, and chamomile extract to soothe and nourish dry skin prone to irritation.

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster $39.00
Shop

Doubled up on hyaluronic acid, this serum contains both the pure form of the hydrator and the salt derivative (sodium hyaluronate) for a serious moisture hit. Ceramides and phospholipids (lipids that play a major role in cell membrane function) are also featured to repair and replenish dehydrated or damaged skin.

Pai Instant Kalmer Ceramide Serum

Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum
Pai Instant Kalmer Ceramide Serum $79.00
Shop

This setup is ideal for reactive skin needing a soothing moisture boost. Its organic formula contains sea aster (a coastal plant known for its skin-soothing properties), wild oat extract to calm redness and irritation, and hyaluronic acid to gently replace lost moisture and aid repair.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum 
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid $48.00
Shop

Drunk Elephant's B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum has a devoted following for a reason, given the results many tout from daily use. Ceramides boost luminosity, and vitamin B5 attracts moisture to the skin, visibly improving its look and feel. Sodium hyaluronate also speeds up the repair of dry, flaky, or stressed-out skin.

Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Serum

Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Serum $78.00
Shop

Kate Somerville's HydraKate Recharging Serum has a lightweight formula with a long-lasting effect. Whether your skin is dry year-round or just battling through a temporary patch of dehydration, certain ingredients are essential serum must-haves. It contains hyaluronic acid (also known as hyaluronan or HA), which draws in moisture and makes it especially desirable for those struggling to keep their skin hydrated.

FAQ
  • Does hyaluronic acid hydrate dry skin?

    "Hyaluronic acid is highly effective in hydrating dry skin due to its ability to hold up to a thousand times its weight in water," says Vee Mistry. It comes in different molecular weights. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin's surface, while low molecular weight penetrates deeper, providing moisture at multiple levels."


    However, Mistry notes that if the skin is extremely dehydrated, hyaluronic acid might not be sufficient alone and should be paired with other hydrating ingredients.

  • Is hydrating serum better than moisturizer?

    Mistry and Dr. Penzi mention that hydrating serums and moisturizers serve different purposes but are complementary.


    "Face serums are lightweight, liquid-like formulations that contain active ingredients that target specific concerns like dryness [and] focus on adding water and hydration to the skin," Dr. Penzi says.


    On the other hand, "moisturizers are thicker and help lock in hydration by forming a protective barrier on the skin's surface," adds Mistry. While serums work deeper to hydrate cells, she adds that moisturizers prevent water loss from the skin's surface.

  • What should I look for in a hydrating serum?

    Mistry, Pkhakadze, and Salakaia agree that a serum for dry skin should contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and PGA (polyglutamic acid). According to Mistry, "these elements work synergistically to deeply hydrate the skin, effectively addressing various aspects such as texture and dehydration lines."

  • What should my skincare routine with a hydrating serum look like?

    "It's important to address skin hydration holistically," says Mistry. "Ensure adequate water intake, as hydration starts from within." A proper cleansing routine is also crucial; begin with an oil-based cleanser to remove impurities and follow with a treatment cleanser tailored to your skin's needs. "This comprehensive approach helps maintain plump, dewy, and hydrated skin beyond just the application of serums," she adds.

Related Stories