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She adds that the right ones can even help maintain a healthyskin barrier(a.k.a.
Original image by SELF staff / Courtesy of the brands / Laneen Wells
As with moisturizers andnight creams, there aretonsof face serums to choose from.
Most importantly, though, hydration is a fundamental part of skin health, Dr. Shirazi says.
No matter your skin key in, a hydrating serum can help keep your skin strong and glowy.
How often should you use a hydrating serum?
All the derms we spoke to recommended hydrating serums for year-round use.
What should you look for in a hydrating serum?
Hyaluronic acid
Heres another humectant thats both intensely hydrating and lightweight.
(That makes it popular among people with dry and oily skin alike.)
Dr. Ingleton recommends it if youre also concerned about fine lineshyaluronic acidcan have a smoothing, plumping effect.
Squalane
Not only doessqualaneadd moisture, but it can also decrease inflammation, Dr. Nazarian says.
Its a lightweight oil that plays nicely with dehydrated, acne-prone skin as well as very dry skin.
She recommends it for sensitive skin types due to its non-irritating formulation and ability to strengthen the skin barrier.
Niacinamide
Niacinamideis another B vitamin that helps skin retain moisture, Dr. Ingleton says.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help address fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Consider it a solid pick for sensitive, oily, and dry skin.
If you have dry, sensitive, or mature skin, theyre a key ingredient to look for.
Aloe vera
Dr. Shirazi likes ultra-soothing aloe vera for sensitive skin.
Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and generally great if you need a reliable, time-tested source of hydration.
Shop the best hydrating serums
Ready for a glow up?
On the surface, it smoothseven blursyour skins texture and ups its radiance.
Beyond that, it strengthens your skin barrier with squalane and deeply hydrates with glycerin.
We like that this serum also contains a range of calming ingredients.
Theres tried-and-true aloe, plus colloidal oatmeal, which can help soothe dry, itchy, easily irritated skin.
One of its main moisturizers is hyaluronic acid that absorbs quickly without feeling greasy.
Another one is panthenol, so its also worth a try if you deal with inflamed skin.
This multitasking serum won aHealthy Beauty Awardin 2022, in no small part for its impressively quick results.
It’s still hydrating and a great base for under makeup.
I use this daily and have enjoyed improvements in my skin, one Nordstrom reviewer wrote.
Dr. Shirazi recommends it if youre concerned about your skins ability to hold moisture.
Together, these ingredients provide long-lasting hydration while improving the skins texture and barrier function, she says.
Its a favorite of SELFs commerce writer too, who appreciates that its gel-like consistency is easy to apply.
It leaves my skin instantly feeling quenchedlike I could forget to put on moisturizer after, she says.
But there’s zero hint of residue, greasiness, or stickiness.
Ourselfs HA+ Replenishing Serum contains bothand it delivered stunning results when we tested it for 2023sHealthy Beauty Awards.
It was truly wild, our tester said.
It looked like I had gotten Botox or filler.
This serum hydrates, brightens, evens, and smooths.
Still on the fence?
Its the only expensive skin care product I would actually purchase with my own money, our tester added.
