Best Serums for Dry Skin — How to Pick and Layer Like a Pro

Why Dry Skin Needs a Serum (Not Just a Moisturiser)

Moisturisers are designed to seal hydration in. Serums are designed to deliver it deeper. If your skin feels persistently tight, dull, or flaky despite using a good moisturiser, the missing step is almost certainly a hydrating serum underneath.

Serums have a smaller molecular structure than creams, which allows them to penetrate more effectively into the layers of skin where dehydration actually occurs. Adding one to your routine is one of the most impactful changes you can make for chronically dry skin.

What to Look for in a Serum for Dry Skin

• Hyaluronic acid — A humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin, capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Essential for dry skin.
• Peptides — Support the skin barrier and signal collagen production, which thickens and plumps skin over time.
• Exosomes — A next-generation ingredient that aids skin repair at a cellular level, ideal for skin that is both dry and showing signs of ageing.
• Niacinamide — Strengthens the skin barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss — the main cause of chronically dry skin.
• Glycerin — Another powerful humectant, often paired with hyaluronic acid for layered hydration.

Our Top Serum Recommendations for Dry Skin

Hydrating Serum

If deep hydration is your primary goal, this is your starting point. Formulated with skin-replenishing ingredients to quench dehydrated skin and create the plump, smooth base that everything else layers on top of. Ideal for daily use, morning and night.

Exosome & Niacinamide Serum

For dry skin that is also dealing with uneven tone, fine lines, or post-blemish marks, this serum does double duty. Niacinamide repairs and strengthens the skin barrier (critical for dry skin), while exosome technology accelerates cellular renewal and helps skin retain moisture more effectively over time.

How to Layer Serums for Dry Skin

If you're using more than one serum, layering order is important. The general rule is: thinnest texture first, thickest last.

1. Cleanse and tone — Start with clean, slightly damp skin.
2. Hydrating Serum — Apply first. This creates the moisture foundation everything builds on.
3. Exosome & Niacinamide Serum — Follow with the treatment serum. Allow 30–60 seconds between layers.
4. Moisturiser — Lock both serums in with a rich cream. For dry and mature skin, the Peptide Ageless AM/PM Cream pairs exceptionally well.
5. SPF (mornings only) — Always the final step in your AM routine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying serum to dry skin — Hyaluronic acid needs ambient moisture to work. Apply to damp skin or spritz with a toner first.
• Skipping moisturiser — A serum is not a replacement for cream. Without a sealant, hydration evaporates.
• Layering too many actives at once — Start with one or two serums and build up once your skin has adjusted.
• Inconsistency — Dry skin requires daily support. Skipping days reduces cumulative benefit significantly.

Build Your Full Dry Skin Routine

Browse the complete Women's Serums collection to find everything your dry skin needs, and explore the Women's Skincare range for a curated selection of cleansers, toners, and creams to complete your routine.