One of the most talked-about steps in skincare—but how do you know if you need a hydrating serum? If your skin feels tight, taut, parched, and thirsty, and your makeup and skincare don’t last past lunchtime, this is your sign that your skin is dehydrated.
With so many hydrating serums on the market, it’s overwhelming to know where to start. The hero hydrating ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, sodium hyaluronate (the salt of hyaluronic acid), trehalose, panthenol, and polyglutamic acid. These powerhouses are hydrating and moisturising magnets that help attract and retain water in the skin.
Under £10
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5
The new and improved version of one of the first products The Ordinary ever created has just got better. Hyaluronic acid is a brilliant ingredient when it comes to hydrating the skin, and it's one of the best at delivering water to the skin.
The improved version now contains an additional weight of hyaluronic acid, making that three in total, along with an ingredient that helps with ceramide production—supporting the skin barrier and ultimately locking in moisture while limiting water evaporation. If you struggle with hydration, this is like a drink for your skin—perfect for all skin types but especially great for oily and combination skin.
£15 and under
The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
The latest launch from The Inkey List is a gorgeous step up from their hyaluronic acid serum. It’s lightweight and absorbs instantly, leaving a hydrating and barrier-strengthening veil of hydration heroes and skin barrier-supporting ingredients.
It has a richer texture than the Byoma Hydrating Serum and is more in line with the Nip + Fab Ceramide Fix Serum 12% in terms of consistency. In terms of tackling dehydration, I think the Nip + Fab has slightly more power in strengthening the skin barrier.
I really enjoyed using this and applied it over my antioxidant serum in the morning—it layered beautifully.
Byoma Hydrating Serum
A beautiful blend of glycerin and ceramides designed to draw moisture into the skin and lock it in. This is a complete barrier solution and essential if you have compromised your skin barrier, making it difficult for your skin to retain moisture.
The unique Tri-Ceramide Complex is perfectly formulated with an understanding of what the skin barrier needs. Combining the three essential components to help strengthen and repair the skin barrier, along with squalane, this serum brings instant comfort.
Perfect if you have sensitive skin, a compromised skin barrier, or dry, thirsty skin.
BUY HERE - from Byoma
BUY HERE - from Space NK
Under £20
E45 Hydrating Facial Serum For Dry & Sensitive Skin
I adore this serum—it is intensely hydrating and drenches the skin in moisture. It’s a no-frills, hardworking hydrating serum that delivers instant and long-lasting hydration.
It locks in moisture for up to 48 hours, and after just one application, the skin’s hydration increases by 35%. Loaded with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, microalgae, and seawater, it helps retain moisture while bringing comfort and relieving tight, parched skin.
Layering this under a rich ceramide moisturiser is the dream duo for hydration.
BUY HERE - Superdrug
BUY HERE - Boots
Under £30
Nip + Fab Ceramide Fix Serum 12%
I am obsessed with this formula. It’s a slightly thicker serum than the previous ones, but its power and efficiency are incredible.
If you have thirsty, dehydrated skin and feel like you’ve tried everything, I highly recommend this. While I don’t want you to become overly focused on percentages of actives, this formula has an impressive mix of hardworking ingredients that lock in hydration and prevent water loss.
The combination of ceramides, niacinamide, and azelaic acid not only delivers smooth, soft, and hydrated skin but also reduces redness over time.
BUY HERE - from Nip + Fab
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Thank You For Reading
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Bye for now,
Fiona x
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