Best Face Serums for Hydrated Skin 2025
Best Face Serums for Hydrated Skin
Dullness, dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and uneven texture are common concerns that the best face serums 2025 are designed to target. Hydrating serums boost moisture levels, anti-ageing serums help reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity, brightening serums even out skin tone, and acne-fighting serums clear blemishes with powerful, concentrated ingredients.
This guide features expert-recommended and research-backed hydrating serums, anti-ageing serums, and brightening serums to help restore your skin’s health and glow. Whether you want to hydrate, brighten, or fight signs of aging, these serums deliver visible results for a smoother, clearer, and more radiant complexion.
FAQs About Face Serums
What does a face serum do? A face serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing skincare product that delivers a high concentration of active ingredients directly into the skin. Serums are designed to target specific skin concerns such as dullness, fine lines, uneven skin tone, dehydration, or blemishes. With smaller molecules than moisturisers, serums penetrate deeper into the skin, making them highly effective for visible results.
How do I choose the best serum for my skin? The best face serum for your skin depends on your specific skin type and concerns. For dry skin, look for hydrating serums with Hyaluronic Acid or Ectoin. For dull or uneven skin tone, Vitamin C serums help brighten and improve radiance. Oily or blemish-prone skin benefits from Niacinamide or Salicylic Acid. If you’re targeting fine lines or loss of firmness, peptides or retinol-based serums are ideal. Always check for ingredients suited to your needs and patch test before use.
When should I apply a serum? Serums should be applied after cleansing and before moisturising, both in your morning and evening skincare routine. Apply to clean, slightly damp skin to enhance absorption and follow with a moisturiser to lock in the benefits. Using your serum consistently helps deliver long-term results for a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Can serums replace moisturisers? Serums cannot fully replace moisturisers. While they deliver targeted treatments and hydration, moisturisers are essential for sealing in moisture and protecting the skin barrier. For optimal skincare results, serums and moisturisers should be used together - serum first, followed by moisturiser - to keep your skin balanced, nourished, and hydrated.
What are the best serums of 2025? INKEY’s Expert Recommendations:
Hyaluronic Acid Serum - 30ml
Key Benefits:
Deep, long-lasting hydration with 2% Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid
Plumper, firmer skin with Matrixyl™ 3000 Peptide
Lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly without residue
Key Ingredients:
• 2% Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: Deep hydration for plumper, smoother skin.
• Matrixyl 3000™ Peptide: Helps reduce fine lines and promotes firmer-looking skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types
What our customers say: "This is a fantastic product, very plumping and I feel like the holy grail of serums! My sensitive skin loves it, it massively hydrates my dry skin in no time and gives it a lovely plump and bounce!" - Jenna
15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
Key Benefits:
Visibly brightens skin and evens out skin tone
Helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dullness
Lightweight non-sticky formula that absorbs instantly for easy layering
Key Ingredients:
• 15% Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C) - helps brighten skin and reduce visible signs of sun damage like hyperpigmentation
• 1% Epitensive™ (plant-derived EGF) - supports skin regeneration and improves elasticity
Suitable For: All Skin Types, Hyperpigmentation, Dull skin
What our customers say: "I really love this serum. I'm on my third bottle and my skin has never looked so clear, glowy and revitalized. I'm getting loads of compliments and people asking if I have had "anything done". Will never be without it." - Karen
Retinol Serum
Key Benefits:
Gentle slow-release retinol for beginners
Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
Hydrates and softens skin with squalane
Key Ingredients:
• 1% Retinyl Acetate – Gently resurfaces skin and smooths fine lines
• 0.5% Granactive Retinoid – Targets early signs of aging for firmer, plumper skin
Suitable For: All Skin Types
What our customers say: "I love this as a beginner retinol user & have repurchased! Best price for the product type & works well after your skin gets used to retinol-staple product for my skin routine" - Caitlin H.
Niacinamide Serum
Key Benefits:
Reduces excess oil and helps minimise the appearance of blemishes
Calms visible redness and evens out skin tone
Lightweight formula with added hydration for smooth, balanced skin
Key Ingredients:
• 10% Niacinamide - controls excess oil, target blemishes and tackle redness
• 1% Hyaluronic Acid - helps to hydrate and plump skin
Suitable For: All Skin Types, Breakouts & Blemishes
What our customers say: "I’ve been using this serum regularly and it truly never disappoints. With consistent use, you can definitely see a difference brighter skin, less visible pores, and a more balanced complexion. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t clash with other products in my routine." - Laura
Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex
Key Benefits:
Boosts glow and smooths skin texture in 14 days
Supports collagen production and skin repair with plant-derived Exosomes
Provides up to 12 hours of hydration while improving firmness and reducing inflammation
Key Ingredients:
• Plant-derived Exosomes - boost collagen by up to 300%, reduce inflammation, and support skin repair
• Prickly Pear Extract - gently resurfaces for a smoother, more radiant complexion
• 1% Ectoin - hydrates and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier
Suitable For: All Skin Types, Sensitive skin, Dull skin
What our customers say: "Couldn't be without this now. Makes my dry, dehydrated, dull skin, dewy and glowy, beautiful under make up" - Sarah
Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Key Benefits:
Deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier in just 15 minutes
Protects against winter dryness, irritation, and moisture loss
Lightweight fast absorbing texture that improves dullness, dryness, redness, flakiness, and slackness
Key Ingredients:
• 2% Ectoin - helps prevent dehydration, calm irritation, and reinforce the skin barrier
• Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid - restores and retains moisture for long lasting hydration
Suitable For: All Skin Types<, Barrier support and protection
What our customers say: "Great product, my skin has been so much better following the use of this product and my skin is looking so much healthier. Was having loads of breakouts prior and now my skin is great since I’ve been using this product." - Becky
