Nourishing, lightweight and fast-absorbing, hydrating serums have obvious appeal on sweaty summer days. But experts say the best hydrating serums should be staples in your skincare routine year-round. “High-quality hydrating serums provide a long-lasting, deep moisturisation of the skin, resulting in a complexion that’s softer, plumper and more radiant overall,” says Professor Dr Michael Detmar, MD at IRÄYE .
What’s more, hydrating serums can actually make your subsequent skincare more effective. “Another important and lesser known action of hydrating serums is that they enhance the delivery of other active ingredients deep into the skin.” adds aesthetic facialist and clinic founder Kate Kerr .
She likens their moisturising benefits to “filling the canals before the gondolas can sail on through, carrying the all-important active ingredients into the desired layers of skin.” Read more: 2024's Best New Serums , According To An Expert Is a hydrating serum worth it? You might be inclined to skip over serums as an optional skincare step, but in doing so, you would be missing a trick. According to Dr.
Detmar, hydrating serums are an essential prelude to moisturiser for all skin types, because they are made with water-binding ingredients that boost moisture retention in the skin. As for Kerr, she belongs to a sect of skin experts who think serums are actually preferable to moisturisers in terms of conditioning the complexion. “They can encourage hydration without inhibiting the skin’s natural ability to hydrate, whereas there have been studies to suggest the long term use of moisturisers can upset the skin’s barrier leading to trans epidermal water loss, which ultimately causes dehydration.
” Translation: with or without moisturiser, you ought to add a hydrating serum to your skincare routine, stat. What to look for in a hydrating serum It goes without saying that the best hydrating serums will be water-based, but what other ingredients should you be looking out for? Kerr and Dr. Detmar agree that hyaluronic acid (also called hyaluronan) should feature high on the list, ideally in multiweight formulations.
This is as smaller molecules penetrate the epidermis deeply while large ones remain close to – attracting water and protecting – the surface of the skin. As well as hyaluronic acid, look for urea and glycerin. Kerr says “they are part of our skin’s natural moisturising mechanisms and when they are applied topically they do not upset the skin’s own functionality.
” More ingredients recommended by the experts, below: Best hydrating serums at a glance: Below, Vogue rounds up the hydrating serums that come editor and expert-approved. Why we love it: With a refreshing gel texture that is quick to absorb, La Mer’s essence is a sound investment for a plump, hydrated skin. Not only does it include several ingredients our experts recommend for hydration (glycerin, glycosaminoglycans and peptides to name a few) but it also contains Miracle Broth – a precious ferment that is harvested twice yearly and exclusive to La Mer formulas.
This proprietary blend of sea kelp, magnesium , vitamin C and other minerals works by energising cells in the dermis, boosting repair and in turn minimising signs of ageing. Patted onto clean skin, it soothes irritation and aids the absorption of all other skincare that follows. Pros: gentle on skin with best in class ingredients that stimulate cell renewal Cons: it is pricey, but a good investment for nourished skin Why we love it: Free from oil, fragrance and any irritating actives, Medik8’s hydrating serum is a great choice for all skin types.
Those with very dry skin will benefit from the multiweight hyaluronic acid formula enhanced here by vitamin B5, which soothes as HA draws moisture both deep into the dermis and onto the surface of the skin. Pros: has a non-sticky formula that absorbs quickly | dropper is marked with measurements for consistent application Cons: small bottle, but a little goes a long way Why we love it: “I have been seriously impressed with the cumulative results of this serum. Having seen the results of the clinical trials at the launch (collagen preservation, firmer cheeks and jawline, a more hydrated, plumper-looking complexion), I committed to using this morning and night to see if it would work for me and a month later, I would say I concur with all the aforementioned.
If you’re after a hydrating serum to upgrade your skincare routine, you’re looking at it.” – Jessica Diner, global beauty and wellness director Pros: contains a host of skincare heroes including peptides, antioxidants and arginine | protects against collagen degradation for a youthfully plump appearance over time Cons: is rich in nourishing oils, so may not suit oily skin types.
