Serums are some of the least understood skincare products. There are so many different types on the market, and each one claims to offer numerous benefits. There are three main types of serums we encourage our customers to use: antioxidants, retinols, and hydrating serums. Antioxidants, like vitamin C serums, are daytime serums that prevent sun damage. Retinols are nighttime serums that are utilized to prevent the signs of aging and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrating serums can be used in the morning and/or evening to boost the skin’s moisture levels, maximize the benefits of moisturizers, and keep the skin looking more youthful and vibrant. In this blog, we’ll focus on hydrating serums, describing their benefits, how to use them in your skincare routine, and outlining some of the top dermatologist-recommended serums for hydration offered at DermSkincare.

Why Serums & Moisturizers Are Necessary for Hydration

A common question dermatologists receive about hydrating serums is whether they take the place of a moisturizer. The truth is that there are many different types of moisturizers, and each serves a different purpose in skincare. The three main types are emollients, occlusives, and humectants. Most traditional moisturizers contain emollients and occlusives. Emollients are the most commonly used moisturizers. An emollient hydrates skin, restores lipids and helps to smooth and moisturize skin. Occlusives are protective moisturizers that recreate the skin’s protective barrier to prevent water loss and improve long-term hydration. Many hydrating serums contain hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture. This increases the efficacy of the other two types of moisturizers. This means hydrating serums and moisturizers play well together, delivering healthier and more hydrated skin.

How to Incorporate Serums into Your Skincare Routine

Serums, including hydrating face serums, should be incorporated into your skincare routine after cleanser and toner and before eye creams and moisturizers. If you’re going to use more than one serum, you should apply them in order of thickness. This ensures that the thinner products can be more fully absorbed by the skin before adding thicker moisturizers that take longer to be absorbed. For those with aging or dry skin, a hydrating serum can be used twice a day in the morning and evening. Hydrating serums may also be beneficial as part of the morning and evening skincare routine during the dry fall and winter seasons. People who struggle with eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, can benefit from using hydrating serums twice a day to soothe their skin. Those with balanced, combination, and oily skin may want to limit the use of hydrating serums to once a day. For those who are only going to apply a hydrating moisturizer once a day, the best time to utilize these serums is in the evening to soothe and hydrate the skin after the day’s damage and irritation to boost the benefits of the moisturizer.

Our Top Hydrating Serums

There are numerous hydrating serums on the market, and each one offers unique advantages. Before you get overwhelmed by your options, start by considering our most recommended hydrating serums below. If you still want more specific advice about incorporating hydrating serums into your skincare routine, consider talking to a dermatologist to receive a personalized recommendation.

SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier

SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier uses hyaluronic acid (HA) to boost hydration. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant moisturizer. Different types of moisturizers provide different benefits for the skin. Hyaluronic acid serums help the skin attract and retain moisture. It is a naturally occurring substance within the skin, but age, weather, skin type, and other factors can reduce the amount of hyaluronic acid naturally found within the skin. This serum contains hyaluronic acid to supply a boost that immediately increases the skin’s moisture level while also attracting moisture for long-term results. The formulation is gentle, and free of paraben, dyes, and other harmful ingredients, making it safe for all skin types even sensitive skin.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

The SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel also relies on hyaluronic acid to deliver ultimate short and long-term hydration, but this formulation includes vitamin B5 and was specifically designed to boost the benefits of your daily moisturizer. It can be incorporated into morning or evening skincare routines for any skin type, even sensitive skin, to help skin retain moisture and look and feel more youthful and supple.

ALASTIN HA Immerse

ALASTIN HA Immerse is another moisturizing serum that makes use of hyaluronic acid to improve skin hydration. The unique thing about this formulation is that it not only increases hyaluronic acid levels immediately, but it also boosts the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin over time.

MD Skin Essentials HylaCream

One of the many reasons skin becomes dry or irritated is that the skin’s protective barriers break down and develop gaps that allow moisture to escape. MD Skin Essentials HylaCream was developed with a combination of hyaluronic acid and skin barrier lipids to repair skin’s protective layer, deliver a boost in immediate hydration, and keep skin more supple and moisturized in the long term. The mousse-like formula is easily absorbed into the skin.

Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum

The Revision skincare line of products is formulated specifically for aging skin. The active ingredients chosen for each of the products in this skincare line are designed to address the many ways that age impacts skin, including restoring youthful fullness and smoothing uneven texture. They are light and easily absorbed by thinner skin which occurs as we age. The Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum is an oil-free, deep-hydrating face serum. One of the best things about this hydrating serum (for all skin types) is that it works to keep skin uniformly hydrated, alleviates tightness, and restores supple moisture.

Sente Dermal Repair Cream

This is another anti-aging product that improves hydration while repairing sun damage. The Sente Dermal Repair Cream is their flagship product that utilizes Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) to renew skin’s youthful radiance and deliver healthier skin.

Learn More About Skincare

Not sure which moisturizing serum to utilize, or do you just want to learn more about great skincare products and routines? We hope you’ll keep exploring the DermSkincare site to learn about all of our dermatologist-curated products and get recommendations from our skilled, board-certified dermatologists about how to achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful skin.