Save & Splurge: Boost skin hydration for better skin with these Hydrating Serums

If you didn’t already know, I’m a great proponent of adhering to a skincare routine that’s strong on hydration. Many of us have dehydrated skin without our realising it, primarily I feel, due to our lifestyles and age. From personal experience, if you treat this problem of dehydrated skin, you are already one step closer to better skin.

One of the things I like using in my skincare routine therefore, is a hydrating serum. These serums usually contain high concentrations of hyaluronic acid in various forms, that help boost skin hydration, while maintaining those hydration levels by attracting and holding moisture from other products you use. Well hydrated skin will naturally look plumper and smoother, and this will also strengthen the natural skin barrier, so your skin looks and feels softer and smoother and better.

In recent times, I’ve come across a few hydrating serums that work fairly well, and which conveniently fall in different ends of the price spectrum. What better time then, to share my Save and Splurge picks with you! 🙂

Do note that the sequence for using a hydrating serum is thus:-

Cleanse -> Tone -> Mist (optional) -> HYDRATING SERUM -> Other serum -> Moisturiser

Because hyaluronic acid works best when layered with a moisturiser (it needs to attract and hold the moisture from somewhere!) I usually suggest that a hydrating serum not be used alone, for best results.

Save: Indeed Labs Hydraluron – RM115.60 | £24.99 for 30ml (Full Review)

Hydraluron was one of my initial forays into a hydrating serum, with positive results. I experienced skin that was more plumped, more hydrated and which looked better in general. At the time I first tried it out, it was RM80/30ml but it appears the price has gone up locally, although it’s also more easily available at the larger Watson’s pharmacies, I’m told. If you’ve never tried a hydrating serum then this one is a good one to try, without breaking the bank, while seeing positive results. As you may be able to tell from the packaging, the texture is thicker than the others, and I find it can take a little getting used to.

Find it at: Watson’s pharmacies, Muse by Watson’s, Boots stores in the UK

Splurge: Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Advanced Serum – £30 | US$49 for 30ml (Full Review)

Hylamide SubQ came highly raved, and when I eventually caved and purchased a bottle, I thought I understood what the raves were about. The texture is lovely and light which I think will sit well with many people, especially if you have oily or combination skin and dislike heavier product textures. While I wasn’t blown away by the efficacy of this product, I thought that it was decent. If you don’t use another similar product, or have not gone into hydrating serums, then this might work for you.

Find it at: Hylamide website (ships internationally for free – you may catch a discount code online sometimes), Target, Boots (UK)

Save: Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence – RM74 for 30g

I had put this into my routine not very long ago, and had not yet found time to include a full review, but I can quite safely place this among the hydrating serums that I think works. Hada Labo is an affordable Japanese skincare brand that focuses on the use of Hyaluronc Acid, and this Hydrating Essence is their new incarnation that boasts up to 3 times the hydrating power compared to their famed lotion.

The texture of the essence is fairly lightweight, and so it comes in a dropper bottle as you see in the picture. The essence has a slightly opaque milky colour but it is very light, and it absorbs quickly and well into the skin without any greasy or sticky residue. While I did not experience skin-transforming results with this as I did with the next option below, it helped maintain the hydration level of my skin so my skin feels comfortable throughout the day. I think this one is gentle enough on the wallet to be a good introduction to using hydrating serums in your skincare routine.

Find it at: Watson’s pharmacies

Splurge: REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot – RM229 | £36 | US$54 for 30ml (Full Review)

I saved the best for last. While the most pricey of the hydrating serums featured here, for me, this one was the best. I have written a glowing review which I’d suggest you read, following the link above, to avoid me repeating myself in a gibbering, gushing fashion LOL! But suffice to say, that this lightweight serum had changed my skin for the better almost visibly, in a very short time, and I love the results. Every time I drift off to try something else, I find myself coming back, like a homing pigeon. Hand on heart, my absolute favourite!

Find it at: Kens Apothecary stores, Sephora, Cult Beauty, Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter

My Pick of the crop

What you might like to know is which I’d pick, right? Well, I think it’s fairly obvious LOL! My first pick is the REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot, followed by the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Hydrating Essence. Hydraluron and Hylamide SubQ tie thereafter, because I didn’t derive as much benefit from them, as I thought I would. They are decent products, make no mistake. I just find my preferences differ from most 🙂

Do you use a hydrating serum and what’s your favourite?

As I’ve mentioned above, don’t use these serums on their own. They are meant to be worn under other skincare, and you might even find that it boosts the efficacy of other serums because it preps your skin with hydration. Well hydrated skin absorbs other products better and that’s what I’ve experienced. My favourite is the REN one – Hall of Fame, man, Hall of Fame! 😀 What’s yours?

Paris B

Save and Splurge is where I show you similar items by different brands that I have tried. They may not work quite the same way, but it’ll offer you options for your wallet for a similar effect/product. Do note however, that it is based on products I have actually tried, so whilst there are many save and splurge options out there, these are my views and choices based on my experience. You can find more under the category of Save & Splurge.