Come winter, there’s one thing every skin-obsessed individual knows to be true: Moisture-boosting elixirs are essential. And the best serums for dry skin don’t just serve up an extra dose of hydration, but also deeply nourish and protect against the harsh elements, from whipping winds to sudden drops in temperature.
“Hydrating serums are useful because they bring hydration into the skin,” stresses New York City dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group. Because healing dry skin calls for both humectants and emollients (that draw in moisture and lock in moisture respectively), a good humectant like hyaluronic acid, which holds 1,000 times its weight in water, will draw hydration to the skin to bouncier, glowier effect. With all that said, you can trust that there’s no time like the present to introduce a supercharged serum into your regimen as winter really puts complexions to the test.
“When the atmosphere is more arid, such as in wintertime, the dry air draws moisture out of our skin… so these barrier products prevent loss of moisture,” explains Nazarian. “Over time, as we age, our skin is less capable of drawing in and locking in moisture—so these skin habits are useful in the short-term seasonally and long-term because as we age, our skin weakens.” Below, 15 of the best serums for dry skin to help you lock in moisture all season long.
