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4 min read
If your skin tends to get drier in the winter months, upgrade your serum for one of these ultra-hydrating heroes…
Whether your skin is naturally dry, oily, combination or acne-prone, all skin types could do with a little more hydration in the colder, winter months. The drop in temperature and humidity has a knock-on effect on our skin, with research showing that our skin has less moisture and fewer lipids in winter. This change to our skin barrier can leave skin looking dull and dry or even feeling sore and itchy.
But by simply tweaking our skincare routine, we can help to rehydrate our skin in these harsher winter months. “Opt for a simple skincare routine – using a gentle cleanser, hydrating serums, a light moisturiser followed by sunscreen,” suggests Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, founder and medical director at the Adonia Medical Clinic. “Look for products containing soothing and hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and omega fatty acids, as well as ingredients that aid the skin’s barrier function, such as ceramides.”
As well as stocking up on the hydrating skin serums, it might be time to put down some of the more potent actives – at least for now, while your skin rebuilds its defences. “Avoid overly-stripping active ingredients such as high-dose glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinoids until the skin’s barrier function has been restored,” says Dr Ejikeme.
So if you’re looking for a nourishing and hydrating serum for winter, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling for the nine formulas our beauty team really rate…
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Face Serum for Dehydrated Skin
Formulated with dry and dehydrated skin types in mind, this hydrating serum is enriched with powerhouse vitamin B5, which not only helps hydrate and moisturise, but boost the skin’s natural radiance from within.
Shop La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Face Serum for Dehydrated Skin at Cult Beauty, £39
REN Clean Skincare Everhydrate Marine Moisture-Restore Serum
With a unique jelly texture, this serum quenches thirsty skin via a clever matrix of sustainably sourced algae extracts that help to leave your complexion dewy and bouncy for up to 72 hours.
Shop REN Clean Skincare Everhydrate Marine Moisture-Restore Serum at Cult Beauty, £40
Origins Dr. Weil Mega Mushroom Concentrate Serum
Centella asiatica and tremella mushroom work together to rebuild and strengthen a weak or damaged skin barrier. After just one use, your skin is left soft, smooth and visibly hydrated – with a stronger resilience to environmental aggressors.
Shop Origins Dr. Weil Mega Mushroom Concentrate Serum at John Lewis, £39
The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum
This pink hydrating serum is packed with sugar-based humectants that help to lock in moisture and nourish the skin barrier. Use on freshly cleansed skin and lock in with a moisturiser for best results.
Shop The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum at Lookfantastic, £17.30
Ilia The Base Face Milk
With hero ingredients including hyaluronic acid, barrier renewal complex and plant-based squalane this lightweight liquid essence-moisturiser hybrid delivers deeper hydration than any other skincare step.
Tatcha The Dewy Serum
If you’re worried about dullness, this radiance-boosting serum is perfect. It’s formulated with Tatcha’s proprietary complex blend of Akita rice, Okinawa algae and Uji green tea that delivers high levels of gentle AHAs and lactic acid to help remove the dead skin cells that can lead to a dull-looking complexion. Then hyaluronic acid and squalane swoop in to help hydrate and plump the skin for a dewy finish.
Farmacy Beauty Filling Good Plumping Serum
Dry skin can highlight fine lines and wrinkles but a good hydrating serum can help plump skin and fill in any cracks. This antioxidant-rich serum was designed to do exactly that. Multi-molecular hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin at different levels, providing deep hydration both immediately and in the long term to help restore a smoother complexion.
Shop Farmacy Beauty Filling Good Plumping Serum at Space NK, £42
Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%
Harnessing four different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, this gel-like serum combines very low, low, medium and high weight molecules to replenish the skin’s essential moisture. It works quickly to provide maximum hydration, creating a smooth canvas for other skin products or make-up.
Shop Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% at Space NK, £18
REOME Active Recovery Broth
This super-concentrated serum is powered by a blend of 16 clinically proven bio-fermented and biomimetic actives, to rescue stress-compromised complexions, strengthen the barrier and super-charge hydration. Great for dry, dehydrated or more mature skin types, it leaves skin brighter, healthier and plumper-looking after just a couple of days.
Ulé 22 Oh La Plump Serum
If you’re into sustainable skincare, you’ll love Ulé. With 100% traceable ingredients (98% of which are from natural origin) this hydrating serum uses three hyaluronic acids blended with organic olive extract to deliver intense deep-down hydration. Skin is left smoothed, plumped and radiant – win.
Images: Stylist Loves, courtesy of brands
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