10 Best Serums for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists

According to David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York, this Aveeno face serum delivers a one-two punch of hydration and anti-inflammatory properties that’s made all the more impressive by its wallet-friendly price. The gentle serum instantly smooths and soothes thanks to its namesake triple oat complex, which is clinically proven to lock in moisture for rough, dry skin. Meanwhile, the formula boasts prebiotic- and antioxidant-rich ingredients to both revitalize the skin’s barrier and protect against environmental aggressors, making it a one-stop shop for healing, restoring, and protecting dry, sensitive skin.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Triple oat complex, glycerin, centella asiatica extract / Skin types: Sensitive

• Pros: Gentle yet effective results; calms irritation
• Cons: Dropper can be difficult to use.

What happens when you pair a cocktail of super-hydrators with nature’s most effective problem solvers? You get the ultimate serum, designed to home in on the skin’s most persistent challenges for complete correction, hydration, and renewal. The result is an all-encompassing solution to your greatest skin care woes in a fast-absorbing, surprisingly gentle formula. A unique mix of vitamin C, resveratrol, squalane, pomegranate seed concentrate, and the brand’s proprietary TFC8 blend delivers on every front—hydrating, soothing, plumping, antiaging, increased elasticity, and reduced hyperpigmentation. The blend of vitamin C and resveratrol makes it particularly great for brightening dark spots and evening out skin tone while delivering deep moisture that plumps the skin. And of course, it's chock-full of antioxidants to keep the skin protected all day long. “It’s a fantastic serum,” Dr. Kim gushes. “The texture is exceptional and it’s very hydrating. You’ll wake up the next day with supple, moist skin.”

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: TFC8, vitamin C, polysaccharide moisture complex / Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily

• Pros: Unique formula targets a slew of persistent skin care concerns.
• Cons: Very expensive

For persistent redness and finicky, sensitive skin, this Dr. Jart+ serum is a gentle, hydrating, and repairing godsend. According to Dr. Song, centella asiatica (which calms inflammation) and soothing allantoin join forces to deliver nearly instant relief from irritation and flare-ups, while glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air and sealing it into the skin as well as working to alleviate signs of sensitivity over time. The lightweight texture penetrates and absorbs into the skin within seconds to instantly reduce visible redness and boost the skin barrier. The face serum also boasts antioxidant properties, protecting the skin from external aggressors. Pro tip: For extra-soothing properties, keep it in the fridge for a cool boost.

Size: 1.01 oz. / Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, glycerin / Skin types: Sensitive, normal, combination

• Pros: Repairs dryness and sensitivity both immediately and over time
• Cons: Ultralightweight formula may not provide enough moisture for particularly dry skin types.

Coarse skin, wrinkles, and fine lines are a thing of the past with this all-in-one skin treatment. An elegant blend of growth factors, antioxidants, peptides, marine extract, and green microalgae moisturizes lackluster skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out tone and skin texture thanks to its next-generation formula. Dr. Kim says the lightweight formula delivers intense hydration while addressing a slew of aging-skin concerns with its cocktail of active ingredients. It’s the ultimate addition to a mature skin care routine, yielding the results of two to three serums in just a single pump.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: TNS-MR, RSC advanced, glycerin / Skin types: Mature, normal

• Pros: Addresses signs of aging while hydrating the skin
• Cons: Not ideal for acne-prone skin

Managing acne-prone skin is as much about the acne itself as it is all the brutal side effects that come with acne—redness, irritation, dryness, inflammation, the list goes on. This Skinceuticals serum addresses every last acne-related concern in one fell swoop. The gel-serum is jam-packed with ingredients that hydrate, soothe, comfort, and alleviate redness and sensitivity—all without causing further inflammation and irritation. Not only does it deliver that instant boost of hydration and redness relief, but it’s also brightening, working to lighten the appearance of post-acne hyperpigmentation and scarring over time. With a natural cooling effect and a non-oily texture, it checks all the boxes for acne-prone skin.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Thyme extract, olive extract, cucumber extract, eucalyptus leaf, hyaluronic acid / Skin types: Acne-prone, combination, normal, sensitive

• Pros: Soothes while rehydrating skin
• Cons: Expensive

Board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, lists the Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Retinol Serum as a favorite one-two punch for tackling visible signs of aging while addressing dry, uncomfortable skin. And it really is quite the feat. The formula utilizes a microdose of retinol along with ceramides (a potent moisturizing agent), peptides, and glycerin to keep those ugly retinol side effects to a minimum and leave skin feeling hydrated, supple, and firm. The result is a gentle but potent antiaging combination that’s both brightening and skin-boosting, while delivering all the goodness retinol has to offer without any of the pesky dryness or irritation.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, peptides / Skin types: Dry, mature, acne-prone, normal, combination

• Pros: Reduces visible signs of aging
• Cons: Not suited for sensitive skin

Both Dr. Song and Dr. Kim count this drugstore favorite among their top picks for hyaluronic acid serums. The lightweight serum is seriously hydrating thanks to dry-skin soothers like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and three different ceramides. The formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, and paraben-free, as well as noncomedogenic, making it an ideal pick for any and all skin types. Plus, there’s even some niacinamide in there to help calm and soothe angry, flaky skin. The gel-cream texture absorbs into the skin within seconds, leaving skin instantly smoother and softer.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 / Skin types: All

• Pros: Gentle formula
• Cons: Some sensitive skin types may not work well with hyaluronic acid.

When it comes to quenching dry skin pre-makeup, it’s a delicate balance between locking in deep hydration and prepping the skin for the products to come. Luckily, The Outset’s Firming and Plumping Prep Serum does just that. Pumped with hyaluroset complex, a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid, along with vegan collagen and seedcake extract, the serum effectively smoothes, firms, and plumps lackluster skin for a more radiant-looking complexion—and it has some pretty solid brightening effects over time. Perhaps most important, it boosts moisture and hydration without ever pilling under layers of primer, foundation, concealer, powder, and so on.

Size: 1 oz. / Key ingredients: Hyaluroset complex, vegan collagen, seedcake extract / Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive

• Pros: Hydrating face serum with nonpilling formula
• Cons: May not be hydrating enough for ultra-dry skin needs