We tested all sorts of hydrating serums. The best was a $22 drugstore product

CNN

08-05-2025

The best hydrating serums we tested
Best hydrating serum: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Best hydrating serum for dry skin: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Best hydrating serum for textured skin: CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence When your skin is looking dull or dry, that usually means it's time to ramp up your skin care routine. Hydrating serums are an easy place to start. They deliver long-lasting hydration, typically leaving skin soft, glowy and ultra-moisturized.
To find the best hydrating serums, we had 10 CNN Underscored staffers with a wide range of skin types put a variety of formulas to the test, from affordable staples to luxe picks. After daily use and careful comparison, three standout serums emerged, with our overall pick being a drugstore find that costs only $22.
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We tested 8 moisturizers for dry skin. Our favorite is a $17 drugstore creamNeutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin found Neutrogena's Hydro Boost serum deeply hydrating, lightweight and gentle on her sensitive, eczema-prone skin. She appreciated its simple, fragrance-free formula with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel tested The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum and loved its lightweight feel, quick absorption and hydrating, nongreasy formula. A longtime fan of the brand, she plans to keep using the $20 serum.
CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Testing writer Carolina Gazal, who battles cystic acne and scars, found this serum from CosRX to be a soothing, breakout-friendly solution that deeply hydrated her skin without irritation. Despite its gooey texture, she came to rely on the ultra-nourishing formula and would gladly repurchase it for its skin-repairing benefits and affordable $25 price tag. Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin loved the lightweight, water-like texture of Neutrogena's Hydro Boost serum on her dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. The simple, hyaluronic acid-based formula delivered long-lasting hydration without irritating her sensitive skin, which was consistent with other products she's tried in the Hydro Boost line.
As someone with eczema, she especially valued the fragrance-free formula, which is ideal for sensitive skin. The serum absorbed quickly and deeply moisturized her skin, thanks to a blend of hyaluronic acid, trehalose and glycerin. Even better? It's also free of parabens and mineral oil, meaning it won't clog pores or cause irritation. Just a few drops locked in hydration and left her skin looking glowy.
While the ultra-hydrating formula stood out, the serum's packaging was also impressive. The unique click-top plastic dropper made application easy and efficient.
Skin care enthusiasts at CNN Underscored have tried, tested and loved The Ordinary brand and its products long before this testing. Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw deemed The Ordinary an affordable starting point for a solid, starter skin care regimen, and our testing results show why. Home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel raved about the serum's lightweight texture, quick absorption and generous dropper. Although the formula was slightly tacky upon first use, once fully absorbed, it left her combination skin smooth and deeply hydrated without being greasy.
According to The Ordinary, this serum targets common signs of aging too, helping to reduce the appearance of crow's feet while improving skin's smoothness, texture, elasticity and firmness for a more youthful look. Since it contains peptides, it goes beyond providing hydration alone and offered an easy way to incorporate peptides into Patel's routine. The tiny but powerful bottle is also just under $20, making it a great value, and she plans to keep using this specific serum for its affordable price and effective, multitasking ingredients.
Given that testing writer Carolina Gazal struggles with cystic acne and combination skin, especially an acne-riddled chin and hyperpigmentation and scars on her cheeks, she's in the throes of using drying acne creams. That means her skin needs an extra layer of hydration that won't break her out. That's where CosRX's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, a beloved K-beauty product and an editor favorite, comes in.
The lightweight formula not only enhances the skin's glow but also improves texture. It's formulated with 96% snail mucin to help repair skin, boost hydration and elasticity, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars and breakouts. Gazal found the snail essence gooey at first touch but grew to love the ultra-nourishing product for her dried-out skin. It didn't irritate current breakouts, which was a big win, and over time, her skin craved the weirdly goopy but hydrating product. It can be found for only $17 for a full-size bottle, making it a wonder product that's a no-brainer to repurchase.
Naturally, we had to get our hands on the internet's favorite hydrating serums, in addition to drugstore finds and higher-end options. We had 10 CNN Underscored staffers evaluate each product for a week and take detailed notes on the criteria below.
Our testers have different skin types and concerns, ranging from oily skin to eczema, acne to fine lines, and even persistent dry patches.We tested each hydrating serum to see how it would help nourish skin in the long run. Each tester tried one serum to see how it would help nourish skin and reflected on the following criteria.
Formula: Did the formula feel light or heavy on the skin? Was it easy to apply?
Absorption: Did the serum absorb into the skin quickly, or did it take time? Did it layer well with other products?
Moisturizing: Did the serum hydrate the skin? Did your skin feel dry at any point between applications?
Additional benefits: Some serums in our pool had additional benefits like SPF, anti-aging ingredients or extra acids for hydration. Did these products deliver the desired results, considering these bonus criteria?
Value: Did the quality of the product match the price? Was there a fair amount of product for the price?
Above all, hyaluronic acid is a standout ingredient in a hydrating serum that you should be looking for. 'It's a sugar found naturally in the skin that holds water,' said Dr. Corey L. Hartman, the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. 'It's a clear, thick, gel-like substance that our body produces and can be found in high concentrations in the skin, connective tissue and eyes. It helps to retain and attract water, and keeps tissues hydrated and lubricated.'
In addition to hyaluronic acid, Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, also recommends looking for other actives. 'Niacinamide can help regulate oil production and reduce clogged pores, and peptides help stimulate collagen,' he said. 'Vitamin C is also great for brightening and evening out skin tone.'
Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster
Paula's Choice serum could be a solid choice for those looking for skin care loaded with niacinamide. It's made with 10%, to be specific, to help reduce the appearance of pores and texture. It's also packed with vitamin C and licorice extract to soothe any lingering irritation in skin. Photo editor Molly Flores tested Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster on her combination skin. Her main concern was an oily T-zone and some texture on her chin and jawline. She found the lightweight formula absorbed quickly and provided noticeable hydration but the runny consistency made it difficult to apply directly. She wound up mixing the serum with her moisturizer. Although she appreciated its effectiveness, so much so that her skin felt dry after skipping a day, she preferred a serum with more grip to better support her skin care routine.
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
This pick has one standout ingredient: blue hyaluronic acid fermented with deep-sea algae for even dewier, glowier skin. While our tester liked the formula overall, it didn't make a remarkable difference for her skin. Managing editor Rachel Quigley tested Laneige's hyaluronic acid-packed serum on her very dry skin and appreciated its light, nongreasy texture and quick absorption. This K-beauty serum promises dewy, glass skin, thanks to a host of nourishing skin ingredients — namely, hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, peptides to improve firmness and a green tea enzyme to gently exfoliate for a smoother appearance. The Laneige serum is also free of pesky additives like parabens and sulfates. While she found it easy to apply, she didn't notice a significant improvement in hydration and, ultimately, she wouldn't repurchase it because she's used more effective serums in the past.
Clarins Double Anti-Aging and Anti-Wrinkle Serum
The Clarins anti-wrinkle serum is one of the priciest serums we tested. There's a good reason why: The 2-in-1 serum is made with "epi-aging" ingredients to combat environmental aging, like turmeric extract and other natural plant extracts. It also features a thicker consistency that provided ample hydration during our testing. The Clarins Double Serum's slightly thick texture was easy to apply and lightweight on testing writer Michelle Rae Uy's combination skin. The serum absorbed quickly and kept moisture locked in, preventing dryness throughout the day and night; however, it didn't feel exceptionally moisturizing.
According to Clarins, this serum is suitable for all skin types and works to visibly firm and smooth the skin while reducing the look of wrinkles and pores. Like other hydrating serums we tested, it promises to strengthen the moisture barrier, boost radiance and refine texture. After using it for a week, Uy noticed firmer skin, though she didn't yet see all the expected benefits, like reduced wrinkles or minimized pores. Despite being cautious with skin care due to her sensitive skin, the serum worked well with her routine, and she plans to continue using it.
Vichy Minéral 89 Fortifying and Plumping Daily Skin Booster
We get it: Sometimes you just need a serum that does the job, sans snail parts and extracts that sound like a grocery store list. Vichy's skin booster is made with pure hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich volcanic water to boost hydration without the sticky feel. Our tester liked its simple yet effective formula that felt approachable for those just starting to build a skin care routine. Madison Yerke, a digital content strategist at CNN Underscored, struggles with dryness on her forehead and oiliness on her chin and face, but has never used a hydrating serum before. In fact, they always seemed a bit intimidating to her, especially since she only started a moisturizer and sunscreen routine two years ago. But after trying Vichy's Minéral 89 serum, she raved about its jelly-like texture that absorbed quickly into her skin. It felt surprisingly lightweight once applied and left her skin hydrated and refreshed throughout the day. After a week of consistent use, she concluded her skin felt fresher, and at just $40, she thought it was worth the price.
Skin Pharm Youth Serum
Skin Pharm's Youth Serum is often considered a holy-grail serum because it's supposed to be a powerful multitasker when it comes to firming fine lines and hydrating dull skin. However, at $115, it was one of the priciest products we tested and other formulas provided superior hydration. Skin Pharm Youth Serum is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and antimicrobial peptides to reduce the appearance of blemishes, as well as sativa rice bran extract to help the skin retain moisture in the long run. Although the serum is crafted with soothing ingredients safe for sensitive skin, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus wasn't pleased with how her skin felt after the serum dried on her mostly normal, slightly dry skin.
Although it was lightweight and absorbed quickly, it left her skin feeling tight. To combat this, she layered on other products to achieve the dewy look she wanted. At a whopping $115, the serum is, ultimately, too pricey, especially when more affordable brands like The Ordinary, Glow Recipe and Mario Badescu delivered better, more immediate results for Kraus' skin.
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
Rhode may have popped up on your Instagram feed, thanks to Hailey Bieber's creative marketing and other fan-favorite products. This lightweight gel serum is Bieber's go-to for dewy, glazed skin, so we had to put it to the test on real, unfiltered skin. It aims to visibly plump and hydrate the skin barrier with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides. Copy editor Rena Behar found this Rhode serum lightweight but slightly tacky on her acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. The dispenser was also difficult to use, and although advertised as fragrance-free, the product had a sharp scent. While it absorbed quickly at first, it seemed to sit on the skin without providing deep hydration and didn't outperform her usual favorite, the CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, our pick for textured skin. She noted no major improvements after using the glazing fluid for a week, and while she might use it occasionally in the summer, she wouldn't repurchase due to its underwhelming results and tricky packaging.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydrating Serum
While this serum has a lightweight feel and gentle formula — made with pineapple ceramides and vitamin B5 — our tester didn't find this hydrating serum to be as "intense" as its name implies. Katelyn Gendron, our director of global commerce and SEO, tested Drunk Elephant's B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum on her dry skin, which was lightweight, gentle and quick to absorb. The $50 serum promises long-lasting hydration while strengthening the skin's barrier and boosting its ability to retain moisture. It's also suitable for all skin types and free of essential oils, silicones, fragrances, dyes and alcohols. All of these perks aside, the serum was ineffective for Gendron. She was disappointed by the lack of hydration, saying it felt like she hadn't used any product at all and wouldn't use it again.
The following questions were answered by double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp.
What is a hydrating serum?
What is a hydrating serum?
A serum goes far beyond a moisturizer. 'A hydrating serum focuses on increasing the skin's hydration to improve concerns like dryness, fine lines, texture and improve the overall appearance and health of the skin,' Camp said.
'The key difference between serum and moisturizer is their formulation and texture,' he added. 'Compared to a moisturizer, a serum is much lighter and absorbs more quickly into the skin. Serums tend to address specific skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, while moisturizer hydrates the skin and protects the skin barrier. Serums tend to be formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and other active ingredients to increase the level of water in the skin.'
What ingredients should I look for in a hydrating serum?
What ingredients should I look for in a hydrating serum?
'Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, peptides and vitamin C,' Camp said. These ingredients provide hydration, but they also help the overall health of your skin. Ceramides and peptides, for example, support the skin barrier, and a healthy skin barrier helps retain moisture levels within the skin.
What ingredients should I avoid in a serum?
What ingredients should I avoid in a serum?
Camp suggests staying away from skin care with added fragrances, as they can be irritating and drying. 'If you have sensitive skin, consider doing a [spot test] with a new product before using it more liberally,' he said.
To determine which hydrating serum worked best, we gathered a testing panel of 10 curious and critical CNN Underscored staffers with various skin types. Though they all had varying skin concerns, all had the same goal: glowy, hydrated skin. Out of the 10 testers, half of them used hydrating serums before the testing.
Here's what the testing panel had to say about their skin:
Copy editor Rena Behar has acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin.
Photo editor Molly Flores has an oily T-zone and some texture on her chin and jawline.
Testing writer Carolina Gazal struggles with cystic acne and combination skin, in addition to hyperpigmentation on her cheeks.
Katelyn Gendron, director of global commerce and SEO, has very dry skin.
Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus is blessed with normal skin, although it will get dry every now and then.
Home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel has combination skin, meaning it's sometimes dry and sometimes oily around her nose, with an occasional breakout near her mouth and chin.
Managing editor Rachel Quigley struggles with dry skin.
Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin described her skin as dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone.
Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has combination skin that skews toward sensitive.
Digital content strategist Madison Yerke has combination skin, which manifests as dryness on her forehead and body, and oiliness on her chin and face.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
Dr. Brendan Camp, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York
Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
CNN Underscored has a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this story, associate testing writer Carolina Gazal gathered a testing pool of 10 CNN Underscored staffers to test a range of hydrating serums to find the very best options. All testers wore each serum for a week to get a true sense of the feel and efficacy of each product.