Hydrating Serums

The more the temperature drops, the more I find my self layering up my skincare as well as my jumpers. My main issue, and it's a very common one, is dehydration. Rather than slathering on claggy creams, I tend to reach for lighter hydrating serums that can add a bit of a boost to both dehydrated and dry skin types. So here is a 'Friends'-style overview of five hydrating serums in my skincare arsenal.

The French One Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum

This is my personal favourite, and I know it is hugely popular with people of all skin types. The milky liquid sinks in incredibly quickly giving skin a blissful 'ahhh' moment without feeling heavy or greasy. Despite the slightly lengthy ingredients list, including silicone and fragrance, my somewhat sensitive skin seems to love this serum and, with regular use, I've found any blemishes I do get tend heal much faster and any marks left behind are much lighter. £29 / 30ml

Aqua, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) fruit water*, Glycerin*, Butylene Glycol*, Ethylhexyl Palmitate*, Polyacrylate crosspolymper-6, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract*, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum (fragrance), Squalane*, Potassiumsorbate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice*, Sodium Benzoate, Xantham Gum, Sorbitan Oleate*, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate*, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate*, Disodium Acetylclucosamine Phosphate, Myristyl Malate Phosphonic Acid.  * Plant origin

The Scientific One Indeed Labs Hydraluron

Hydraluron is a funny one. I've held off reviewing it as when I first bought it (sidenote: the outer packaging looks a little bit like a pregnancy test which is all kinds of hilarious when you leave it on your desk) I wasn't really blown away. However, this is one you really notice when you stop using it and your skin snaps back to its previously thirsty state. Hyaluronic acid ('the world's purest' according to Indeed Labs), everyone's favourite anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water onto the surface of the skin, appears high up on the dinky ingredients list and this is about the most concentrated source I've seen. This means it has all the hydrating benefits without the other gunk that can crop up in some serums, making it a good option if you're particularly sensitive. You need seriously minimal amounts and unlike the other serums which can be reapplied, it will start to 'pill' if you apply to much. £24.99 / 30ml

Water, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ahnfeltia Concinna extract, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

The Illuminating One Wild About Beauty Rose Water Illuminating Serum

Although Wild About Beauty describe this as an 'illuminating and hydrating serum', it's more of a final step product to add a tiny bit more hydration before applying makeup and the onus is more on the illumination. The serum has tiny violet light reflecting particles which blend out to leave a lovely soft focus finish with a boost of radiance rather than glitter. This is a great one to wear alone if you're feeling really minimal or stick on top of your usual skincare routine for an extra smooth base, but it won't replace your moisturiser. £22 / 30ml

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenysluccinate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Annonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Parfum (Fragrance) Mica, Hydroxyethyl, Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Lecithin, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Carnosine, Cassia Angustigolia Seed Polysaccharide, Propanediol, Polysorbate 60, Limonene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cyclanthera Pedata (Caigua) Fruit Extract, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract.

The Organic One Antipodes Hosanna H₂O Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum
One of the few organic hydrating serums I've come across is Antipodes Hosanna, which uses black fern, grape extract and lavender to stimulate collagen synthesis. As you might imagine, that requires longer term use so it doesn't give the instant gratification of hyaluronic acid-containing serums. Instead this serum is very smoothing and plumping which can make the skin feel taut, in a good way, but it doesn't feel as soothing as the milkier formulas so I prefer this one in summer when the water-based, gel liquid feels beautifully cooling and hydrating. Reviewed in full here. £27.99 / 25ml

Lavender augusifolia distilate (lavender flower water)*, cyathea medullaris (mamku black fern) leaf extract, vitis vinifera (Vinanza Grape) grapeseed extract, naticide (natural preservative), caprylic/capric triglyceride, xantham gum, essential oil fragrances of French rose oil and cardamon: Benzyl benzoate+, cinnamyl alcohol+, citral+, citronellol+, d-limonene+, eugenol+, farnesol+, geraniol+, linanool+. * = Certified Organic ingredient; + = Component of essential oil

The Weatherproof One REN Max Moisture Concentrate

This is the heaviest of the bunch and definitely leans more toward moisturising, rather than hydrating making it a great option for drier skin types. I found this serum didn't make such a difference to the hydration levels of my skin, but I have dabbed it over the top of makeup to hydrate drier patches throughout the day. I can imagine Max Moisture Concentrate being a boon underneath moisturiser for weather-chapped skin or for frequent flyers as a first defence against moisture sapping recycled air. £32 / 30ml

Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil, Phospholipids, Sorbitan Olivate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea (Lingonberry) Seed Oil, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Penoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Parfum (Fragrance) Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Farnesol.

This post contains PR samples.