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15 of the best hydrating facial serums
The GHI tested 25 hydrating facial serums with nearly 550 women to find out the best one for your skin hydrating needs!
There's always a time when we need an extra hydration boost. Whether it's the biting winter chill, or you've been in the sun a tad too long, you might need a hydrating facial serum to soothe your parched skin.
Formulated with hyaluronic acid, a water loving ingredient, these serums are designed to attract and hold onto water from the atmosphere, leaving your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and even looking plumper! Using them under your usual moisturiser, they can help to add a concentrated boost of moisture to your daily routine, rescuing your skin from dehydration!
We tested 25 brands of hydrating facial serums infused with hyaluronic acid over a four-week period, with nearly 550 members of our panel. Attributes such as immediate and long term hydration were evaluated and testers also looked for improvements in the appearance and texture of their skin!
In our beauty lab, we used a device that measures skin hydration levels at week one and week four, to look for improvements in the moisture of the skin.
Find out the best on test below... the prices may surprise you!
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Joint winners
Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Concentrated Face Serum
Score: 83/100
Our testers loved this product, giving it full marks for design, ease of use and instructions. The silky and refreshing formulation absorbed well into the skin without leaving any greasiness or stickiness. 94% of testers felt that the product was comfortable when absorbed and left the skin feeling noticeably softer. Testers also commented that their fine lines appeared reduced and their skin looked taut after application. It scored 3/5 in our hydration lab tests, and 78% of testers agreed skin felt more hydrated after the four-week testing period.
Price: £14.99
Beauty Pie Über Youth™ Re-Elastic Concentrate Serum
Score: 83/100
With an immediate plumping effect on the skin and a smooth formula, testers loved using this product every day. The serum absorbed easily and worked well with their usual products, some even noted that it allowed their moisturiser to apply better! The skin was left feeling more hydrated from day one and noted that it looked healthier. It scored well in the lab hydration test after a 4-week period. 81% of our testers found there was a visible improvement in the appearance of their skin as they (and their friends) noted that fine lines and wrinkles were reduced as well!
Price: £85.00 (£11.32 with a Beauty Pie membership)
Runners-up
Super Facialist Hyaluronic Acid Firming Intense Facial Serum
Score: 82/100
The product was easy to apply and testers noted that it also left their skin looking brighter, healthier and more radiant. Over 83% of testers agreed that the product also left their skin feeling more hydrated both immediately, and after the four-week testing period! It scored 3/5 in our lab test. The texture was pleasant and did not leave any unpleasant residue on the skin after usage. Skin was left feeling soft and testers noted that it made an excellent base for make-up.
Price: £14.99
Pai Skincare Back To Life Hydration Serum
Score: 82/100
This is a great product for those with sensitive skin. Over 97% of our testers agreed that it didn't cause any redness or irritation. The design of the pack was popular with our testers, with a single pump being enough to cover the whole face and neck. Skin was left feeling moisturised immediately after application, and the product topped our 2019 lab tests with a 4/5 score for improvement in hydration over a four week period. It left no unpleasant residue on the skin and over 82% of testers agreed that it didn’t leave a greasy finish.
Price: £42.00
Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst-Quenching Serum
Score: 82/100
The majority of our testers loved the non-greasy, smooth texture of the product. It performed top in our 2019 test, for how quickly it absorbed into the skin, allowing testers to be able to immediately layer on their moisturiser without a waiting period. Testers commented on how their skin felt immediately plumper and more hydrated without leaving any unpleasant residue. Testers also felt that the hydration of their skin improved with continuous use and the product showed improvements in hydration in our lab tests. Over 93% of testers loved the fresh scent of the product which didn’t interfere with their other products.
Price: £29.00
Holland & Barrett Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Score: 82/100
An easy to apply product, 90% of testers felt that it absorbed quickly into the skin and left a comfortable finish. After a four week testing period, testers commented that their skin felt more hydrated. The product performed well in our lab tests too, giving it a final score of 4/5. 90% of testers agreed that it didn’t leave any unpleasant residue, making it perfect for those who love a multi-step regime. Testers also commented that the product gave a plumping effect and some noticed that their skin was brighter and softer too!
Price: £14.99
Evolve Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200
Score: 79/100
97% of our testers found the scent pleasant, they also loved the straightforward packaging, which was hygienic, easy to use, and dispensed a good amount in one pump. The skin was left feeling soft and hydrated from the first application. The product was one of the top contenders in our lab test when hydration of the skin was measured at day 1 vs day 28. Testers found the formulation was gentle too, with over 97% of them noting that they didn’t experience any redness or irritation to the skin.
Price: £30.00
Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum
Score: 79/10
Testers loved this lightweight and non-greasy formulation, with 87% of them noting that it absorbed well into the skin. The consistency meant that the product was good to layer with other products making it a great primer base for make-up. Despite its lightweight texture, 74% agreed that their skin felt more hydrated after the 4-week testing period! Our lab test backed this up, showing a good improvement in the overall hydration of skin before and after application too. Testers also raved how their skin was also left feeling softer and smoother after the testing period.
Price: £36.00
Institut Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic Serum
Score: 79/100
This product was our panels choice in the 2019 hydrating serum test, scoring the highest for overall satisfaction with over 92% in agreement. The serum left the skin comfortable with a refreshed feeling. It came out top in the assessment of hydration with our testers for both immediately and after the 4-week testing period. An impressive 98% of testers agreed that they did not experience any redness or irritation making it the gentlest formulation of the test. Our testers also noted a visible improvement in the appearance of their skin noting differences in the plumpness of their skin.
Price: £49.50
Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Glow Boost Essence
Score: 75/100
With its fast absorbing formula and hygienic dropper applicator, over 87% of testers loved the texture and the packaging design of the product. Over 81% of testers agreed that their skin was left feeling hydrated and comfortable both immediately after application, and after the 4-week testing period. Testers also commented that their skin looked more plump and youthful helping to blur the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. The glass bottle also made testers feel that the product was high end. An impressive 89% of testers were satisfied with the product and were happy to continue using it after the trial finished.
Price: £29.00
Manuka Doctor api nourish Age-Defying Serum
Score: 73/100
Testers absolutely loved the easy to use pack and clear instructions that came with the product, giving it full marks in the design and instructions categories. It was easy to apply, with over 94% of testers agreeing with this. The product also left skin feeling plumper and smoother, and 77% saying that their skin was immediately hydrated. 72% of testers agreed that there was a visible improvement in the appearance of their skin, noticing differences in wrinkles, radiance, and skin texture. The consistency of the formulation was lightweight and cooling, giving it a luxurious feel.
Price: £24.99
Score: 73/100
This fast-acting formulation was quick to absorb into the skin, leaving it feeling softer, with no residue. Within the first few days, the skin felt more hydrated and looked more even, over 71% of testers noted a visible improvement in the appearance of their skin. Testers loved the clear, colourless formulation that made the product feel pure and clean. Over 92% of testers agreed that they did not experience any redness or irritation with the product and even commented that their skin appeared less red after using it. It's a great choice for those with redness, but who also need a hydrating boost!
Price: £29.00
Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Night Peeling & Serum
Score: 73/100
Testers loved the lightweight gel textured formulation that applied well and did not feel too oily or greasy. Over 82% of testers were impressed with how hydrating the formulation felt on their skin, noting that the improvement was not just immediate, but sustained over the 4-week testing period. Testers also found that the product also helped prevent dry patches and flaky skin that they usually got in cold weather! It left skin soft and smooth with a velvety finish. Over 84% of testers were satisfied with the product and would continue to use it.
Price: £38.00
Nip+ Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Plumping Serum
Score: 73/100
Testers loved how easy the product was to apply to the skin, with over 82% of them feeling that their skin was immediately hydrated. Our lab test also showed improvements in the hydration of the skin after a 4-week testing period. The formulation was not oily and 89% of testers agreed that it didn’t leave any unpleasant residue onto the skin. The texture of the skin was another noted improvement after using the product, with many testers commenting that their skin looked glowing with continued use. The product left a cooling sensation and was refreshing with its lightweight formula.
Price: £19.95
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum
Score: 72/100
Testers were impressed with how youthful their skin felt after using the product. It left the skin feeling super soft and plumper, and our testers were raving about the instant improvement. Over 83% of them loved how the product layered well with their other products and didn't leave any unpleasant residue after absorbing into the skin. Our lab test showed improvements in the hydration of the skin after a 4-week period of testers using the product. 91% of testers found the formulation easy to apply and they also noticed that their skin was more radiant and brighter at the end of the trial!
Price: £51.60
And the best of the rest...
Look Fabulous Forever Hydration Hold Face Serum, 72/100, £42.00
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Sanctuary Spa Hyaluronic Wonder Oil Serum 71/100, £19.99
001 Skincare London Alpha Glow Flash Facial 70/100, £85.00
bea Skin Care vitamin C + hyaluronic acid serum 69/100, £49.00
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Booster 69/100, £25.00
Angela Langford a little lift 69/100, £31.00
Jane Scrivner Bioluronic Buzz 69/100, £32.00
MGC Derma CBD Stem Cells & Hyaluronic Serum 69/100, £80.00
Germaine de Capuccini Repair Night Progress Serum 68/100, £111.00
Kate Somerville Dermal Quench Liquid Lift 68/100, £80.00
Jasmine is a Consumer Tester (Beauty) at the Good Housekeeping Institute with a masters degree in Cosmetic Science. She is using her years of product testing experience; market research knowledge and technical lab skills in the GHI beauty labs.
Outside of work she is an avid foodie and also enjoys vlogging whilst exploring and travelling around the world. She has even travelled to Finland to find out what consumers want and love about their beauty products!
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