Picture your dry skin as a sponge left to bake in the sun—it loses its ability to function. That’s where these best serums for dry skin come to the rescue. “Dry skin occurs when the skin doesn’t produce enough natural oils,” says Mona Foad, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati, OH. While it’s helpful to try to avoid dry skin in the first place, it’s not always possible. “Whether it’s the result of genetics, aging, smoking, a chronic skin condition like eczema, or even too many piping-hot showers, there are numerous factors why you could be experiencing dry skin,” says Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Coral Gables, FL.
While moisturizers get most of the attention, face serums are your skin’s ultimate hydration boosters. “Serums penetrate deeper into the skin layers than regular moisturizers or oils, making them essential for any dry skin routine,” explains Dr. Foad. But don’t toss your moisturizers just yet—serums aren’t here to replace them, they’re here to supercharge them.
“Serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, which allows them to deliver powerful hydration right where your skin needs it most,” says Nkem Ugonabo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in NYC and Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “These actives typically have smaller molecules, so they can get deep into the skin and hydrate from within instead of just sitting on the surface,” adds Dr. Foad.
If you’re ready to make your skin say “ahhh…,” dive into these top dermatologist-approved serums for dry skin and say goodbye to that tight, thirsty feeling once and for all.
Top Picks
- Best Overall Serum for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $40
- Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, $120
- Best Lightweight: Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid & Lipopeptide Serum, $50
- Best Priming: Dermalogica Pro Collagen Banking Serum, $89
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Face Serum, $135
- Best Splurge: La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, $270
- Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $10
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What serum is best for dry skin?
- How do I use serum for dry skin?
- Is serum good for dry skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall Serum for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why we love it: If your sensitive, dry skin throws a toddler-like tantrum every time you try a new product, La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a game changer for anyone needing extra TLC. “Pure hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, madecassosides—which is a wound-healing agent— strengthens your skin barrier, and vitamin B5 soothes and hydrates,” says Alexandra Bowles, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati, OH. It combines powerful hydration and calming ingredients, so your skin stays plump, protected, and pampered—even when sensitive skin usually makes it high maintenance. Plus, it’s gentle enough for everyday use, making it a must-have for anyone dealing with sensitivity or dryness on the regular.
Editor tip: When applying, gently pat or press the serum into your skin instead of rubbing. Sensitive skin loves a little extra TLC to help avoid irritation.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, vitamin B5 | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, sensitive skin
Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan
Why we love it: It’s no surprise this editor-favorite brand keeps racking up Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards—SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan is a winner for all the right reasons. This hydration hero is a true multitasker as it plumps, smooths, and volumizes your skin like you’ve never seen. Specifically great for dry skin, it’s packed with a high (yet gentle) concentration of hyaluronic acid and proxylane, both of which work to draw in moisture and keep it locked so it softens the appearance of fine lines. And remember, real results take time. Stick with it consistently for about 12 weeks, and you’ll bask in the glow of healthier-looking, bouncy skin.
Editor tip: Don’t immediately towel off after you wash your face. “After cleansing, apply a few drops of serum while your skin is still slightly damp to maximize moisture absorption,” says Dr. Ugonabo.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, proxylane, lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, mature skin
Best Lightweight: Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid & Lipopeptide Serum
Why we love it: If your skin constantly acts a little grumpy from being dry, the Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid & Lipopeptide Serum is here to turn things around. Packed with three types of hyaluronic acid, it practically floods your skin—hydrating and plumping skin from the inside out. The added polysaccharides and super peptides give your skin that extra bounce. Perfect for those with dry, sensitive skin, it hydrates without feeling heavy or as if your serum is slicked on and it’s great for those who thrive on instant gratification from their skincare products. And since it’s free of harsh chemicals and fillers, you can feel really good about what you’re putting on your face.
Editor tip: Peptides are a key ingredient in many serums for dry skin since they help lock in moisture. “They’re great for boosting the skin’s strength and elasticity, helping to reduce dryness over time,” says Dr. Bowles.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, seafill (polysaccharide), Idealift™ (peptides) | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with any skin type, but especially for dehydrated or sensitive skin
Best Priming: Dermalogica Pro Collagen Banking Serum
Why we love it: This silky-smooth serum doesn’t just clock in when you apply it—it’s working overtime long after. In reference to its name, think of the Dermagologica Pro Collagen Banking Serum as a collagen bank for your skin—“depositing” protection now and “saving up” collagen for the future to help keep your complexion looking juicy and plump for the long haul. Packed with peptides, antioxidants, and hydrating botanicals, it strengthens your skin barrier, protects against free radicals, and leaves behind a dewy, glowy finish. The super-hydrating, gel-like texture is lightweight and fast-absorbing, making it perfect for layering under your go-to moisturizer or makeup.
Editor tip: Peptides help signal your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, “which are essential for maintaining skin structure and elasticity,” says Dr. Viera.
Key ingredients: collagen amino acids, carnosine dipeptide, jojoba ester | Fragrance-free: Yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, mature skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Face Serum
Why we love it: When your goal is to achieve skin that’s attached to someone who looks like they eat right, sleeps enough, and drinks eight glasses of water a day, Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Face Serum can help fast-track things. Loaded with prebiotics and probiotics, it boosts the production of proteins found in youthful-looking skin and strengthens your skin’s barrier, so irritation and dryness become a thing of the past. Over time, you’ll notice smoother texture, fewer fine lines, and a pillowy bounce to your skin. According to Allure contributor Sable Yong, after trying this product, “it was the first time people actually complimented me on my skin.”
Editor tip: The prebiotics and probiotics don’t just help with hydration. They’re also key for balancing your skin’s microbiome, which helps keep your dry skin’s irritation and sensitivity in check.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, bifidus prebiotic, vitamin Cg (ascorbyl glucoside) | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, mature skin
Best Splurge: La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum
Why we love it: When it comes to splurge-worthy beauty, La Mer needs no introduction. The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum more than lives up to the hype, thanks to its iconic Miracle Broth, seaweed extract, and hyaluronic acid, creating a moisture cushion for your skin where dryness simply can’t compete. If you want to revive tired, dull skin, this serum works miracles by smoothing texture, reducing fine lines, and boosting hydration. “Marine extracts like seaweed are rich in vitamins and minerals and can provide hydration,” says Dr. Viera. We like that this formula is so soft and comforting. Every time you tap it on, it’s like a mini spa moment at home—pure luxury in a bottle.
Editor tip: Pair it with a jade roller or gua sha after applying this serum to boost absorption and give your skin that extra pampered glow.
Key ingredients: Miracle Broth, seaweed extract, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, dull skin and uneven texture
Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Why we love it: The Ordinary is all about raising the bar when it comes to skincare, and this serum is no exception. While most products settle for one type of hyaluronic acid, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 packs in five. Yes, five different types of hyaluronic acid in the formula—a mix of low, medium, and high molecular-weight molecules, plus a hyaluronic acid crosspolymer and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid. They work together to draw in water like a magnet, making sure no layer of skin is left behind. Vitamin B5 seals in the hydration, while ceramides go the extra mile to fortify your skin barrier and protect against future moisture loss. With consistent use, this powerful blend helps your skin retain hydration, plumps dry areas, and boosts overall bounce and elasticity for a more refreshed look.
Editor tip: “In addition to hyaluronic acid that’s naturally found in our bodies, ceramides are another great component of our natural skin and play a large role in moisture retention. Ceramide-rich products are a staple in skin hydration,” says Dr. Bowles.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, ceramides | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: All skin types, but dry skin will love the richness
Best Brightening: Tatcha The Dewy Serum
Why we love it: If wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging are at the top of your list, you’ve come to the right place. This milky, naturally floral-scented serum replenishes all the moisture your skin loses to your environment. Tatcha The Dewy Serum is next level, with a whopping 73% concentration of the Hadasei-3™ complex (way more than the 13.4% in their cult-favorite Dewy Cream). The complex is derived from Japanese superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae to hydrate, resurface, and plump your skin—all in one fell swoop. It’s a game-changer for dry skin—while the hyaluronic acid drenches skin in moisture, “lactic acid helps to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover,” says Dr. Viera.
Editor tip: Start slow if you’re new to acids. Lactic acid is a very beginner-friendly acid, but if your skin is more sensitive, ease into this serum to let your skin adjust.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalene, elastin, lactic acid, Hadasei-3™ | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, dull skin that’s lost elasticity
Best for Redness: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why we love it: Ever wondered which serum dermatologists secretly swear by? Look no further—Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum takes center stage on their bathroom shelf. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and 89% volcanic water from Vichy, France (hence the name), it’s packed with 15 essential minerals that help strengthen the skin’s barrier and shield it from harmful environmental factors, according to Dr. Foad. Perfect for dry, sensitive skin, “this serum feels incredible as it is so light and hydrating. It doesn’t have that sticky feeling after application,” she adds. It absorbs so quickly you’ll forget you even applied it—until you notice your skin looking hydrated and glowing all day.
Editor tip: If your dry skin is experiencing redness and irritation, pop this serum in the fridge for a refreshing, cooling, and calming effect.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, Vichy volcanic water, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin
Best for Signs of Aging: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Why we love it: The thing about this splurge? Its innovation makes the impossible possible. This Allure Best of Beauty award winner features a mix of growth factors, marine extracts, peptides, antioxidants, and algae. “This combination of ingredients improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evens out your skin tone, and significantly improves the skin laxity,” says Dr. Viera. And for those with dry skin, SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is a dream at delivering deep hydration with clever dual-chamber packaging that keeps ingredients fresh and potent. So, if fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging are top concerns, this serum checks all the boxes for those with mature skin.
Editor tip: “Apply your serum first, then for super dry skin, apply a moisturizer on top to help seal in the active ingredients from the serum,” says Dr. Ugonabo.
Key ingredients: TNS®-MR (growth factor blend), French flax seed, marine extract, green microalgae | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, mature skin
Best on Amazon: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why we love it: We love a product name that gets straight to the point. Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum delivers all the hydration benefits of hyaluronic acid with “a very lightweight formula at a super affordable price point,” says Dr. Ugonabo. If you're constantly reapplying moisturizer, this serum locks in moisture all day with the help of glycerin, keeping your skin’s hydration levels balanced and your barrier protected. “Glycerin is an effective humectant that attracts water to the skin. It helps to keep the skin hydrated by pulling moisture from the air and deeper layers,” says Dr. Viera. It absorbs quickly, layers effortlessly under makeup, and leaves tired skin refreshed and rejuvenated with no stickiness in sight. And it’s not just our derms singing its praises—over 4,000 Amazon reviewers are obsessed, too.
Editor tip: While applying the dropper directly onto your face is tempting, it could introduce bacteria back into the bottle. Instead, dispense a few drops on the back of your hand and then use your fingertips to apply it to your face.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, propanediol, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people of all skin types, especially dry skin
Frequently asked questions
What serum is best for dry skin?
If there’s an MVP ingredient in the beauty world, it has to be hyaluronic acid, as evidenced by most of the recommended products on this list of best serums for dry skin. “When seeking a serum specifically for dry skin, I recommend people look for moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which acts as a humectant, meaning it can help draw water/moisture into the skin,” says Dr. Ugonabo. Its small molecule size absorbs deeply into the skin for maximum hydration. It’s a gentle but potent moisturizing ingredient that benefits all skin types.
How do I use serum for dry skin?
Face serums slip seamlessly into any skincare routine. “Serums should be applied after cleansing but before your moisturizer. They are designed to soak into the skin quickly and activate all the ingredients into the skin. Serums can be usually used up to twice daily, in the morning and at night.
In the morning, you should apply it before SPF and before any heavier creams at night. Serums work well with other products—just remember to layer using thinner products before thicker ones,” says Dr. Foad. Since there’s a high concentration of product in every drop, a little bit goes a long way. “Often, only a few drops are needed, but specific instructions will vary by product, and people should pay attention to the packaging to be sure,” says Dr. Ugonabo.
Is serum good for dry skin?
Absolutely. “Serums offer great benefits for dry skin because they’re designed with ingredients that hydrate and repair the skin. Unlike moisturizers, which focus more on creating a protective layer on the surface, serums can get deeper into the skin to prevent dryness at the source. Serums are designed to absorb quickly without leaving residue, making them a great first step before applying your favorite moisturizer or oil to lock everything in.” says Dr. Bowles. Incorporating a hydrating serum into your routine ensures your skin stays soft and moisturized throughout the day.
Meet the experts
- Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Coral Gables, FL
- Nkem Ugonabo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in NYC and Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, OH
- Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, OH
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best serums for dry skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from four dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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