Finding your daily skincare routine lacking in hydration? Dealing with dry or dull skin? It might be time to invest in a new hydrating serum! Few skincare products deliver the level of dewiness and glow that hydrating serums do, making them a vital part of treating dry or dehydrated skin, regardless of your skin type.

Hydration levels are integral to maintaining your skin's barrier, especially as you age, and produce less hyaluronic acid. Hydrated skin is more effective at barring environmental pollutants and harmful UV rays from causing damage, reducing wrinkles, and leaving your skin with a natural glow.

This article will help you find the best face serum for you and your skin. There’s no need to worry about your skin feeling dry or damaged, with the intense hydration offered by these serums.

What is a hydrating serum?

A hydrating serum works to replenish your skin's hydration levels. Daily application seals moisture within the skin and, fortunately, the lightweight serum does not leave your skin feeling greasy or clogged. This effect of hydration without the sensation of greasiness is achieved through its effective moisturising ingredients.

Most hydrating serums are made of active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, natural oils and vitamins, among other natural extracts like antioxidants. This composition fights free radicals and pollutants to maintain your skin's health and appearance.

Keeping your skin hydrated improves skin elasticity and plumpness, while also working to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone. Serums are effective in this endeavour as they penetrate deep into the skin barrier, allowing all layers of the skin to attract water and stay hydrated.

What are the benefits of a hydrating serum?

A good hydrating serum can do wonders for your skin, going above and beyond to protect and replenish. Different skin types can alter the effectiveness of a serum, so it is vital you choose one that works best for you.

Once you have chosen your desired serum out of the best hydrating serums on the market, you can expect to see benefits such as:

• Reducing the appearance of fatigue and age, like wrinkles or under-eye circles
• Preventing moisture loss by keeping it locked into the skin
• Strengthening the skin barrier
• Smoothing out the skin's surface and texture
• Capable of penetrating deeper layers of skin for lasting hydration
• Creates youthful and plumper skin
• Works on those with sensitive skin

These benefits come with continuous use over time. Incorporate a hydrating serum into your daily routine and watch your skin begin to flourish!

Who needs a hydrating serum?

Anyone can benefit from using a hydrating serum in their skincare routine, but none so much as those with dry skin. Although sensitive skin types also find ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or peptides beneficial for their skin, it is those who have easily dehydrated skin that require hydrating serums the most to replenish their moisture levels and restore the skin's barrier. Parched skin needs serious hydration that can often only be found with a powerful serum.

Additionally, despite this focus on dry skin, hydrating serums have also been found to be helpful to those with more oily skin. This is because the lightweight formula leaves minimal residue, preventing it from causing congested or acne-prone skin.

Best hydrating serum in Australia

Aspect Dr Multi B Plus Serum

The Aspect Dr Multi B Plus Serum is a turbocharging Vitamin B serum that rejuvenates your skin's moisture levels and protects it from any free radicals or environmental pollutants. Daily application also works to soothe the skin when it is inflamed or discoloured.

This serum keeps the skin hydrated through a combination of ingredients like Niacinamide, fortifying sea plants, Homeo Shield, and the Aspect Signature Blend of natural Australian antioxidants. These ingredients work together to strengthen the skin's barrier even as they clarify its overall appearance. Due to this combination of ingredients, the Multi B Plus Serum is pregnancy-safe, a key factor that should be considered when looking at face serums.

To help the serum in delivering hydration to every layer of skin, a small pea-sized amount should be applied to the face every morning after cleansing. This face serum works best with other products from the Aspect Dr brand, so be sure to utilise the Aspect Dr Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, which is suitable for even those with sensitive complexions.

PCA Hydrating Serum

A combination of sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid serum, the PCA Hydrating Serum is the perfect choice for the deep hydration necessary for dry skin. With pure hyaluronic acid already working hard to help the skin retain moisture, PCA Hydrating Serum stands out through its addition of sodium hyaluronate, which can carry up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

The hydrating hyaluronic acid serum smoothes out uneven skin texture on any skin type ranging from normal to sensitive, but especially those that have been damaged by environmental exposure. The addition of amino acids, as well as plant and fruit extracts, means that it works on even the most sensitive skin types as there are no synthetic dyes or fragrances.

PCA Hydrating Serum should be applied every morning and night to the face and neck area. Hyaluronic acid serums work best with clean skin, so be sure to cleanse the area before application. Using PCA Perfecting Neck & Decollete at the end of your routine will help spread the restorative effects of the hydrating serum further, keeping more than just your complexion radiant and clear.

Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum

Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum is both lightweight and fast absorbing, making it an excellent choice for those who do not want anything feeling too heavy first thing in the morning. Instead, the serum's combination of hyaluronic acid and antioxidants boosts radiance through its moisture retention technology.  

By also using Vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide, this Aspect Dr hyaluronic acid serum works to reduce wrinkles and redness alike in the skin. This leaves behind only radiant skin as the lack of animal products or synthetic ingredients keeps the skin from being irritated.

Just apply this serum morning and/or night on clean skin for optimal results. Moisturiser should always follow after the final serum in your routine, that way you can guarantee that moisture remains locked into your skin for intense hydration.

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 

The Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA is one of the mightiest in restoring skin after photodamage has occurred. The oil-free serum applies smoothly, feeling like it is not even there despite working hard to reduce signs of ageing and sun damage.

Skin tone is brightened and evened out with daily application through the inclusion of ingredients like brightening agents and humectants. The addition of niacinamide and antioxidants strengthens and protects the skin from free radical damage or pollutants as the Biopelle serum works to repair any previous damage.

Apply twice a day for maximum benefits, making sure to target the areas with the most signs of damage. Only 1-3 pumps should be used, depending on the area required to be treated. Use after cleansing alongside the rest of the Biopelle Tensage range, including Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes.

Aspect Extreme B17

For those looking to clear and hydrate their skin, the Aspect Extreme B17 serum is an optimal choice. Every skin type is sure to benefit from this hydrating serum, but none quite like those dealing with extremely dry skin. This Aspect serum infuses the skin at its deepest level with an energising cocktail of 5 super skin-boosting sea plants. If that was not enough, the serum also utilises Vitamin B ingredients to reduce the appearance of imperfections like wrinkles, redness and unevenness.

With daily application morning and/or night, you can brighten and smooth out your appearance to leave your face with plumper skin. Use a small amount on the face after cleansing and/or using a toner. For a boost of hydration, first apply the Aspect Hydrating Mask, leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse, then follow with the Aspect Extreme B17, and finish with your favourite Aspect moisturiser.

How to use a hydrating serum

When you think of skincare routines, you are likely to think of exfoliators, toners, as well as moisturisers. However, while all of these products are vital to caring for your skin, hydrating serums are the unseen backbone of their successes.

Capable of penetrating deep into the skin, a face serum does a lot to address skin concerns as it smoothes out appearances of imperfections or signs of ageing skin. Their lightweight formula makes it an accessible product to those with oily skin, but it really shines on those with dry skin, who really need the added hydration.

For optimal results, a hydrating serum should be applied on clean, dry skin before any moisturising products are used. You should always pick the best moisturiser for dry skin if needed, otherwise, check out our best moisturisers guide for one that better suits your skin type.

The best hydrating serum for your skin is one that addresses your skin concerns and works well with your skin type. While daily application is generally required, always refer to the product on whether that should be for morning and/or night, as well as how much should be used. Always wait for the serum to completely penetrate your skin before moving on to the next product.

What ingredients to look for in a hydrating serum

To help you start your journey to choosing the best hydrating serum for your skin, you may want to start with the ingredients. The main ingredients in a product can tell you a lot about its intended effects on your skin, and whether or not they may activate any possible irritants or sensitivities.

Hyaluronic Acid

Most hydrating serums contain hyaluronic acid due to its effectiveness in retaining water in the skin. It can retain over 1,000 times its weight in water with any application, making it the number one ingredient if you are looking for absolute hydration. Additionally, since this ingredient naturally occurs in your body, it is unlikely to cause any irritation to the skin. Despite this, those with more sensitive skin may want to look out for hyaluronic acid serums with added aloe vera to soothe any existing redness or irritation.

Lactic Acid

Another type of acid used in skincare products, lactic acid is most commonly believed to solely be an exfoliant. However, it is a humectant just like hyaluronic acid, making it another source of hydration in the best serums for dry skin. Its usual place as an exfoliant means serums with this ingredient should not be overused, but lactic acid is still beneficial to exfoliate flaky skin as it hydrates it.

Niacinamide

When used in topical applications like serums, niacinamide can effectively increase moisture in the skin by preventing it from evaporating. This form of Vitamin B3 creates smoother and healthier skin by restoring its barrier to keep potential environmental irritants out. It is also anti-inflammatory, making it the perfect choice for those dealing with sensitive skin and its accompanying redness or irritation.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Natural acids created from certain fruits, AHAs exfoliate the buildup of dead or damaged skin cells. When used as an ingredient in a hydrating serum, AHAs successfully clear the skin to make way for hydrating and nourishing elements. While ingredients like hyaluronic acid work to restore moisture, AHAs spend their time brightening your complexion and preventing breakouts to give you a radiant glow.

Glycerin

This humectant draws water to itself, meaning that glycerin is a popular ingredient for hydrating face serums. By helping the skin attract and retain moisture, glycerin successfully keeps your complexion looking plump and healthy. It also enhances the skin's natural barrier, helping it to withstand environmental pollutants and irritants.

FAQ

What is the best hydrating serum to use?

The best hydrating serum to use is the one that utilises ingredients vital for retaining moisture without irritating your skin type. Keep an eye out for a serum that uses hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide or Vitamin C, among other ingredients, for long-lasting hydration. If you are unsure of what serum works best with your skin, try booking a consultation with a Skin Therapist who can help you find the suitable treatment for your skin.

Do oily skin types need a hydrating serum?

Although oily skin types do not need as much help retaining moisture as those with dry skin, it is still vital to help maintain their hydration levels. In fact, additional hydration from a face serum can help regulate sebum production, so you should keep an eye out for some of the best serums for oily skin.

Is hyaluronic acid a hydrating serum?

Hyaluronic acid is not the serum itself, but rather one of the main ingredients used to help achieve its hydrating status.  

We'd love to help!

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