As we edge closer to Winter I thought I’d put together a post featuring the most hydrating serums for all skin types because when it comes to winter my skin shrivels up like a raisin, and I thought I might let you in on my secret weapons.
My skin type is normal – dry so naturally the winter months are harsh on my skin therefore I use more facial oils, hydrating serums, thick lush creams and products that make my skin glow. Often if you have dry skin it’s easy to say “oh well, that’s just what it’s like in winter!” but it doesn’t have to be that way. Below I’ve detailed a quite a few products in all price spectrums to ensure you have a radiant, lit from within complexion throughout winter.
Now for my oily skinned ladies…
If you have oily skin you may be thinking “oh hell no” but often those with oily skin try to steer clear of hydrating products because you worry that it’ll cause your skin to look even more oily. But in most cases, if your skin is dehydrated it will over-produce natural oils, which causes the skin to look oily on the surface but really at a deeper level your skin is being deprived of moisture. So to combat this, it’s best to use hydrating products that have a light formula and sink into the skin quickly.
If you’re looking for some anti-aging products I have some in there for you too and for those worried about early signs of aging like lines and wrinkles theres something in here for you too.
* Throughout this post you’ll see Hyaluronic Acid mentioned several times so to help you out I’m going to give you a quick explanation as to what it is. Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in the skin and it has the wonderful capacity to attract and hold moisture thus skin looks more plump, smooth, glowing and not to mention younger. So products with Hyaluronic acid are your best friend!
HYDRATING SERUMS
Eau Thermale Avène Hydrating Serum (R330)
This serum is an absolute steal considering how great it is and how small the price tag is. It’s honestly the best serum you can get your hands on if you’re on a budget! Avene uses non-offensive ingredients that are perfect for those with sensitive skin and although this is targeted at those with dehydrated skin I would recommend this for all skin types. I love this Avène Hydrating Serum for it’s gel texture with an almost water-like consistency once applied to the skin. It won’t do much in terms of anti-aging but when it comes to hydration, this is the best serum I’ve found at the drugstore. If I’m having a reaction to a product I will always revert back to using this serum because it’s incredibly soothing and hydrating.
Skin Ceuticals HA Intensifier (R1 550)
This is an absolute hero product that will be great for all skin types but especially good for those with dehydrated or aging skin, is the Skin Ceuticals HA Intensifier. This is going to increase the levels of hyaluronic acid in your skin which will make your skin look and feel more plump, plus if you’re worried about fine lines this will tackle those babies. This product is an absolute game-changer for me! I use this while I was in America, during their winter , and my skin looked glowy and radiant with not one dry patch in sight. If you have dry skin, I’d suggest using this morning & night but if you have oily skin I would only use this at night. It has a gloopy texture that sinks into the skin surprisingly quickly and works well underneath other products and under makeup.
Clarins Hydra-Essential Bi-Phase Serum (R695)
This is absolutely gorgeous and can once again be used on all skin types and fits the description of this post perfectly! With it’s almost water-like consistency, it sinks into the skin within seconds but you can definitely still see the effects. Being a bi-phase serum it has part water & part oil (you can see the oil on the top) so you need to give it a good shake before using 2-3 pumps and pressing it onto the skin. As all Clarins products do, this smells light and beautiful but if you don’t like scented products, be warned. The Hydra-Essential Serum is the perfect product for those of you with oily skin because it will sink in almost immediately but still delivers moisture, without making you look or feel oily. Next week on the blog I’m doing a post on hydrating face creams for winter and there will be a feature on the Hydra-Essential creams which are a dream to use with this serum.
Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Booster (R470)
If there’s one product that’s perfect for those with oily skin its this one! Don’t worry, it’ll work just as well for my dry skin girls! The Mineral 89 Daily Booster is formulated with the unique combination of Vichy Mineralizing water from the south of France which means it comes as no surprise that this has the closest consistency to water. This means it’s perfect for daily use to boost your skins hydration levels leaving the skin feeling more plump & juicy. Considering how quickly this sinks in and how light it feels on the skin it seems like it’s doing nothing but over time I’ve definitely seen my skin texture improve. This is a light enough formula for those with oily skin to use this twice daily under your regular moisturizer, or even in place of it.
Clarins Double Serum (R890)
If your concern is hydration and aging this where your ears need to start pricking up. Clarins have formulated the Double Serum to specifically target signs of aging and hydration levels in the skin. I’ve written a more in-depth review if you want to do some research otherwise, there are the basics. This is similar to the other Clarins serum as it’s a bi-phase serum (two-thirds water, one-third oil) so it sinks in quickly and delivers intense hydration. This can be used for all skin types because of the adjustable nozzle – it will deliver a lesser amount for oily skin and a larger amount for dry skin – which is indicated on the packaging. I absolutely LOVE this scent and it honestly puts me in the best mood when I use it. It’s loaded with wonderful ingredients to target aging skin and once you’ve used this, it’ll be tough to top.
La Mer Renewal Oil (R2 780)
This is the last & most expensive but by far the most luxurious product. The La Mer Renewal Oil can be used on your face, hair, cuticle or any dry patches on the body – though I feel like it would be a waste on anything but my face. Okay so this is definitely for those with dry or dehydrated skin and although you would think that it leaves your skin looking greasy it makes my skin look dewy and youthful. This oil is said to improve fine lines & wrinkles while also increasing collagen production. This scent is honestly out of this world and unlike anything I have in my collection. It just smells like pure luxury! I like using this at night before I go to bed when my skin is feeling particularly dry or when I’ve had a day in the sun. It’s also great to mix in with your foundations to give a luminous glow to the skin.
I hope this has been helpful to you and if you have any skincare related questions pop them in the comment and I’ll get back to you! Also look out for the second post that will go along with this about hydrating creams to use in winter.
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1 comment
Hi Lechelle, thank you the great post. Will definitely look into those budget friendly ones😁👌. I am a biochemistry student at stellies so i would like to share so info about Hyaluronic acid. Just like you said it has amazing water holding capacity, but it is also a very large molecule and cant always penetrate the skin in this form. Some companies will thus break up the this large disaccharide polymer into its smaller units to be better absorbed and used by your skin. Otherwise it tends to just sit on top of your skin to be washed off again later in the day😁. So look out for companies who label their products “containing short chain and long chain hyaluronic acid”