This Hydrating Serum Has Replaced My Super Heavy Moisturizer

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As someone with a very basic skincare routine, I'll be the first to tell you that adding a new product into your daily lineup is not an easy feat. But when I added a hydrating serum into my effective albeit basic mix of cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, I discovered a whole new world of hydration—and it made me re-think a few of the products I was already using, too.

"A hydrating serum is designed to deliver hydration directly to the skin," says dermatologist Ariel Ostad, MD. But what exactly makes a hydrating serum different than, say, a moisturizer for dry skin? "It’s typically super lightweight, with textures ranging from thick and milky to lightweight and thin, and is used to boost hydration levels, plump the skin, and improve overall skin texture," he adds.

Best Hydrating Serum

But, because there's so many hydrating serums out there, it's hard to find the one that's the best skincare product for your exact skin type. That's why the editors at Women's Health took to testing some of the most popular, highly-reviewed options on the market. Over the past month, we have tested a wide range of hydrating serums, from pricier options to drugstore go-to's, consulting four dermatologists along the way. We kept ingredients, texture, and skin type in mind during our testing, and also sought a handful of product testers to give their anonymous thoughts on our top picks.

What to consider

Texture

According to dermatologist David Kim, MD, texture is key when it comes to finding the right hydrating serum for your skin type. "You want the serum to feel supple and lightweight so that it gets absorbed into your skin instead of sitting on top of it," he says. During our testing process, we found that many of our favorite hydrating serums, like the Skin Medica TNS Advanced+ Serum, have a lightweight, milky texture, which makes sense as these thicker textures often left our skin feeling nice and hydrated. On the other hand, a lot of the serums we loved, including the TruSkin Naturals Collagen Peptides Serum, had a gel-like consistency, which feLT super lightweight and absorbed easily into the skin.

Key ingredients

"I recommend looking for hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, squalane, and polyglutamic acids in your serums," says Dr. Kim. And brightening and calming additives are also a welcome plus, he says, calling out vitamin C, kojic acid, niacinamide, panthenol, and centella. During testing, we made sure all the products that made it onto this final list are formulated with the ingredients Dr. Kim recommends.

Your skin type

Ultimately, the hydrating serum you choose needs to be suitable for your exact skin type, whether that be acne-prone, sensitive, oily, or dry. But one thing everyone should keep in mind before purchasing a hydrating serum is that, no matter what, it should be noncomedogenic. "If a product is noncomedogenic, it won't cause you to break out," says Dr. Ostad. We tried out products designed for various skin types on this list, highlighting which specific skin types would benefit from each product.

How we selected

For the past few months, WH editors, including our commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated hydrating serums. Our team consulted four dermatologists to determine what to look for in the best hydrating serums. Then, we got to testing the products ourself keeping product texture, key ingredients, and skin type in mind. Additionally, the team sought anonymous testers to get their thoughts on the products we love, helping to narrow down the absolute best hydrating serums for a wide range of needs and preferences.

So, are you interested in finding the best skin-quenching option for yourself? Look no further than the 11 best hydrating serums, tested and reviewed by editors and dermatologists, below.

Hyalu B5 Serum

There's no question why this serum has 2,169 positive reviews on Walmart—it leaves skin feeling plump to the touch and repairs its natural moisture barrier. Combining hyaluronic acid, madecassoside—a wound-healing agent—and vitamin B5, it calms breakouts and helps retain moisture. Plus, it's free of oils and parabens, so this formula is great for those who struggle with sensitive or red skin.

Our tester, who has tried a range of high-end and affordable hydrating serums, says this is the best one she's ever tried (!!). Although she's only used it for a few days, she says she has felt a major difference in her face, noting that is feels more moisturized and has a gorgeous glow. Plus, she appreciates that it doesn't leave behind an oily residue and that it fully absorbs into the skin within seconds.

And WH senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson agrees. “This is one of my favorite drugstore serums—it doesn’t have an overly-complicated list of ingredients, but it still manages to get the job done and give you a hydration boost without being too sticky or thick.”

Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink

When it comes to skincare, I've tried a lot of products, and, tbh, many of them send my skin into a tailspin. But I was shook when I tried this lightweight, replenishing oil from Korres—it didn't break me out, there was no redness in sight, and it didn't leave a greasy residue despite it's thick, velvety texture. And after a few days of using it in both the morning and evening, I was seriously impressed by its hydrating results, too.

I mix a dropper-full of this serum with my moisturizer before heading out for the day or hopping into bed, and my skin drinks it up almost immediately, making it glow like no other. The ingredient to thank? Santorini-grown grapes, which are high in resveratrol, an antioxidant that smoothes the skin's texture and revives its glow. I love that my skin has a mirror-like shine whenever I use this, and I simply can't get enough. Plus, it makes my skin look like velvet underneath makeup.

The Serum

We're not gonna lie—serums don't really get any pricier than this, but there's a reason why Dr. Kim recommends it. "This serum is super lightweight, but it doesn't slack on hydration," he says, adding that it's "fantastic" for all skin types, especially those with oily, acne-prone skin who are looking for something light and non-irritating. He raves about its ability to penetrate the skin with rich hydration without feeling sticky or heavy, all thanks to a high concentration of potent ingredients. Included in the bottle: vitamin C to stimulate the production of collagen, squalane to retain moisture, edelweiss extract to smooth and tighten, rice bran oil to banish signs of premature aging, and resveratrol, a natural polyphenol produced by plants that defends against external aggressors.

Collagen Peptides Serum

"This serum contains glycerin in combination with a blend of vegan collagen peptides and ceramides," says dermatologist Marisa Garshik, MD. Together, they boost hydration and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, she adds. And, in addition to providing barrier support, this skin-smoothing serum also contains antioxidants in the form of mangosteen and noni fruit extract that protect against free radical damage.

Aside from this serum, TruSkin has an entire line of collagen-boosting products—think a daily lotion and even collagen supplements—aimed to help smooth and plump the skin. So, if you're looking for a full hydrating regimen, here's your new routine.

TNS Advanced+ Serum

According to Dr. Kim, this serum was developed by the same pharmaceutical company that creates fillers and Botox, so it's great for people with fine lines and wrinkles. "It's also super lightweight and packed with growth factors," he adds.

The hydration comes in with its innovative peptide complex, which nourishes deep into the inner layers of skin. It also features a blend of flax seed, marine extract, and green microalgae to support collagen and elastin levels, amp up skin's renewal process, and repair skin at a cellular level. If you're looking to smooth your skin and add some much-needed plumpness, this one's for you.

This serum also errs on the expensive side, but Dr. Kim still recommends it to his patients looking for a skin boost as it has some of the most potent ingredients in the game. And just take a look at the before and afters on the brand's website—you'll be shook at the results.

Hydrating Serum

Take it from someone whose tried it: This serum is a bang for your buck—and it doesn't slack on hard-hitting ingredients, either. Ultra lightweight and super hydrating, it features a tri-ceramide complex, squalane, and glycerin. Together, these powerhouses deliver a surge of moisture to the skin, helping with flakiness, redness, dryness, and overall irritation.

Pro tip: I use this on damp skin to soak up all that extra moisture and follow with a thick moisturizer to lock in all the ingredients in the serum.

Read more: The Best Moisturizers For Dry Skin

Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Another drugstore serum recommended by a dermatologist, this Revitalift Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is touted by dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD. "It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate the skin," she says. And, it's wrinkle-smoothing claims aren't just words—Dr. Shirazi says they're backed by clinical results. "For such a powerful and effective anti-aging serum, spending less than $20 is such a steal," she adds.

One tester with dry skin says this serum has been a game changer for their flakiness and sensitivity, especially in the winter. After using it daily for a month, she has noticed her skin feels more plump and super moisturized. Plus, it never makes her break out (this is a huge bonus!).

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

"One thing I generally worry about when trying out new serums is whether or not the active ingredients are going to be too irritating for my skin," says Jackson. But what she loves about this one is that it has ingredients that are safe for almost everyone to use, like sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronc acid. It's also formulated without any added fragrance, so you don't have to worry about it smelling too strong while it's on the skin.

Aside from the sodium hyaluronate, it also has pineapple ceramide, which boosts luminosity and improves texture, along with provitamin B5, a humectant that holds onto water to improve the skin's barrier function. "It leaves you with a nice, dewy glow once you've applied it," Jackson adds.

Some testers did note that this serum has a slightly goopier texture than others on this list, making it a bit difficult to apply. But, one mentioned that, when mixed with a moisturizer, it's easier to rub in.

Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

Another hydrating serum that comes highly recommended by Dr. Garshik, PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is our definition of a triple whammy. It uses a combination of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid that stimulates the production of your skin's own hyaluronic acid (yup, Hyaluronic acid is found in almost all cells in the body). "It does so by utilizing what's called the HA-Pro Complex, which is PCA Skin's proprietary blend of hyaluronic acid," she says.

In addition, this serum contains ceramides and niacinamide, which, according to Dr. Garshik, work together to leave the skin looking softer and smoother. They also improve the appearance of fine lines. With the brand's innovative technology and ingredient formulations, it's no wonder why this serum is a cult-favorite among editors and beauty lovers alike.

10% Vitamin C Face Serum

It's not often that you see "vitamin C" and "hydrating" in the same sentence—ICYDK, vitamin C can be a bit hard for the skin to adjust to. But RoC's serum shifts that paradigm as it's literally made for dry skin. "It's a super lightweight daily serum that leaves skin both dewy and hydrated," says Dr. Shirazi, adding that it’s also fast absorbing.

Formulated with peptides for deep hydration and 10 percent vitamin C that's gentle enough for both sensitive and acne-prone skin, there's no question why it's one of Dr. Shirazi's faves. "Clinical results show that this serum offers visible improvement in both luminosity and skin texture in as little as four weeks," she adds. A quick pro tip from Dr. Shirazi herself: This serum works best applied to damp skin and before your SPF moisturizer.

Read More: The Best Vitamin C Serums

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Liquid

This is the number-one bestselling hyaluronic acid product on Amazon, and it's pretty obvious why. It combines low-, medium-, and high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid with the addition of vitamin B5 to enhance glow and hydration on the surface of the skin.

One tester, who uses this every night before bed, wakes up every morning with plump, hydrated, soft skin. It has been great for combatting their dry skin in the winter, and it also helps fix their skin barrier after using exfoliating products. According to her, it gives you that glass skin look everyone is after.

Meet the experts

• Dermatologist Ariel Ostad, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY

• Dermatologist David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY

• Dermatologist Marisa Garshik, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY

• Dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, CA

Why trust us

Lily Wohlner is the associate fashion and commerce editor of Women’s Health. An expert in recommending the best products to add-to-cart, she knows what it takes for a product to receive a solid five stars (especially when it comes to beauty!). Starting her career as a freelance makeup artist, Lily has since moved to the editorial world, where she has generated content for brands including Oribe, NewBeauty, Dermstore, SkinStore, and LOOKFANTASTIC. In her free time, she's testing and reviewing beauty products to recommend to her friends or write about online.

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