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If you’re battling dry, flaky skin, a good hydrating serum can be a game-changer. Unlike heavy creams, serums deliver concentrated moisture and nourishing ingredients deep into your skin without feeling greasy or clogging pores. In this guide, we’ll dive into the top 10 hydrating serums for dry skin — so you can achieve that fresh, dewy glow year-round.

Why Hydrating Serums are Essential for Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks both moisture and oil, leading to a tight, rough, and sometimes even itchy texture. Hydrating serums are packed with humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that draw water into the skin, plus soothing ingredients to calm irritation. Unlike regular moisturizers, serums are lightweight and penetrate more deeply, making them a must-have for intense hydration.

Let’s explore the top 10 hydrating serums that will rescue your skin.

1. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

This budget-friendly serum is a holy grail for dry skin lovers. It combines multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (to hydrate multiple layers of the skin) with vitamin B5, which enhances surface hydration and helps soothe and repair the skin barrier.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5
Why It’s Great: Affordable, lightweight, and non-greasy

2. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum

Perfect for sensitive skin, this dermatologist-approved serum combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 and madecassoside (a soothing plant extract). It replenishes moisture while promoting skin repair — ideal for dry, irritated complexions.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5, Madecassoside
Why It’s Great: Dermatologist-recommended, soothing formula

3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum

A drugstore favorite, this gel-like serum delivers intense hydration thanks to its purified hyaluronic acid. It absorbs quickly, making it perfect for layering under your moisturizer or makeup.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin
Why It’s Great: Lightweight, non-comedogenic, budget-friendly

4. Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying & Hydrating Daily Skin Booster

Packed with 89% volcanic water and hyaluronic acid, this serum strengthens the skin’s barrier while delivering lasting hydration. It’s fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vichy volcanic water
Why It’s Great: Strengthens the skin barrier, non-irritating

5. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Designed with dermatologists, this serum contains three essential ceramides, vitamin B5, and hyaluronic acid to restore and maintain the skin’s protective barrier while delivering long-lasting moisture.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, Vitamin B5
Why It’s Great: Fragrance-free, supports skin barrier repair

6. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

This cult favorite combines pro-vitamin B5 with pineapple ceramide and sodium hyaluronate for a quenching boost of hydration. It also contains watermelon rind and apple extracts to soothe and brighten dry, dull skin.

Key Ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, Pineapple ceramide, Sodium hyaluronate
Why It’s Great: Lightweight, brightens, and hydrates

7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

Packed with colloidal oatmeal, aloe leaf juice, and hyaluronic acid, this serum calms and hydrates irritated, dry skin. It’s perfect for those dealing with dryness alongside sensitivity or redness.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, Aloe vera, Hyaluronic acid
Why It’s Great: Soothing, fragrance-free, great for sensitive skin

8. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum

Formulated with five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, this serum ensures hydration reaches multiple layers of the skin. Plum extract adds a boost of antioxidants, making this a hydration and glow powerhouse.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Plum extract
Why It’s Great: Boosts hydration and radiance

9. Tatcha The Dewy Serum

This luxury serum combines lactic acid for gentle exfoliation with hyaluronic acid and squalane for deep hydration. It leaves the skin smooth, plump, and glowing — perfect for that dewy finish.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane
Why It’s Great: Exfoliates and hydrates, luxury feel

10. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

A skincare favorite among professionals, this serum delivers an oil-free hit of hydration with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. It’s especially effective for layering under heavier creams or sunscreen.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5
Why It’s Great: Professional-grade hydration

Final Thoughts

Hydrating serums are a must for anyone with dry skin, and with so many incredible options, there’s a perfect one for you. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly hydration or a luxury glow, these top 10 picks will help you achieve smooth, plump, and dewy skin.

Remember to apply your serum on slightly damp skin and follow up with a moisturizer to lock in all that goodness. Which serum are you most excited to try? Let your skin drink up that hydration — you deserve the glow!