16 hydrating serums for moisturised, plump and glowy skin

BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum is one of those hydrating serums that’s a bit of a no brainer when it comes time to ‘add to cart’. Wallet-friendly price point aside, this booster serum really goes to town on skin, amping up hydration levels and plumping fine lines and wrinkles to minimise the loss of volume we all experience as we mature. 

$29.95 at a-beauty

If you're looking to achieve an instant wrinkle-filling effect (who isn't?), you can't go past Skin Virtue's Future Advanced Line Filler. This advanced skin-plumping formulation is formulated with an encapsulated dehydrated hyaluronic acid filling technology that helps to provide hydration, while of course helping to fill wrinkles. This encapsulation process allows the hyaluronic acid to penetrate deep into the skin where it's released, and then it starts filling with water and plumping up the skin tissue, helping to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines, crows feet, and nasolabial folds.

$80 at Skin Virtue

Sodashi Serum No. 21 is an anti-ageing facial oil that repairs skin, corrects pigmentation, and reduces the appearance of fine lines. The nourishing serum is enriched with 21 of the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals to replenish skin’s moisture while balancing sebum production and boosting elasticity for a radiant and energised complexion.

$131 at Sodashi

Augustinus Bader has a reputation for potent moisturiser formulas, but now you can reap the benefits of the brand’s hero ingredient TFC8® in the form of a lightweight serum. This stuff is potent to say the least and helps to visibly reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It improves texture, tone and promotes a brighter complexion too. But we’re not finished just yet, because this serum supports collagen production, and improves skin elasticity, plumpness and firmness in turn. Plus, it soothes inflammation and redness, and hydrates like no other. Phew, talk about an overachiever…

$587 at Augustinus Bader

If you have a problem with transepidermal water loss, then you can’t go past a bottle of this stuff. Formulated with some seriously intelligent ingredients like panthenol and saskatoon berry, this hydrating serum simultaneously optimises the skin’s absorption of hyaluronic acid and prevents the breakdown of the body’s natural hyaluronic acid stores.

$108 at THE ICONIC

Not only does this award-winning hydrating serum (our Review Crew® members are a big fan) contain trusty hyaluronic acid and panthenol (AKA vitamin B5) but it also contains madecassoside. What is madecassoside, you may be thinking? Well, it’s actually a nifty anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps to hydrate skin, as well as relieve the inflammation caused by acne. A great pick for sensitive skin and complexions that have been sensitised due to potent acne serums. 

$71.95 at La Roche-Posay

You’ve probably heard The Inkey List mentioned while you were mindlessly scrolling through TikTok. Beloved by Hyram Yarbro (AKA Skincare By Hyram) for its low price point and efficacious formulas, this hydrating serum from the cult brand is a winner in its own right. We’re talking about the kind of hyaluronic acid molecules that penetrate deep enough to actually do their job – hydrating skin, plumping fine lines and wrinkles, and refining skin tone and texture too. 

$14 at Sephora

Laneige’s water bank range utilises an impressive micro-molecular version of hyaluronic acid that’s two thousand times smaller than traditional HA molecules and allows for deeper penetration. Pairing said moisture source with peptides and probiotics, this serum boasts ultra-hydrating and barrier-strengthening properties which make it a no-brainer for the drying conditions synonymous with winter. 

$63 at Adore Beauty

Formulated specifically to aid in the absorption of your favourite vitamin C serum and moisturiser, SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is a lightweight, gel-texture serum that smooths, softens and moisturises dehydrated and flaking dry skin. Hyaluronic acid and panthenol (otherwise known as vitamin B5) are the heroes of this skin hydrating formula, that work in unison to draw in moisture and encourage the skin’s natural repairing process. 

$139 at Myer

Swisse Hyaluronic 2% Vitamin B5 Glow Booster Serum contains a combination of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and ceramides to help effectively hydrate, plump and instil radiance. With continued use, skin appears smoother, moisturised and (most importantly) glowy. 

Was $25.99, now $21.99 at Chemist Warehouse

When you started reading an article about hydrating serums, you probably didn’t think we’d encourage slathering snail mucin on your face. But as far as hydrating skin care ingredients go, our slimy little invertebrate friends are really on to something. In fact, snail mucin (AKA that ooey-gooey stuff snails leave behind) is wonderful for hydrating and repairing the skin. If you have particularly sensitive skin, this stuff is great for improving barrier function, soothing irritation, boosting collagen production and improving scarring (the beautiful glow it gives skin certainly doesn’t hurt either).

$38 at Adore Beauty

Containing the same potent ingredients that we’ve all come to know and love from the Clinique Moisture Surge range, this jumbo-sized hydrating serum targets dehydration at the source. It defends against dryness and pollution damage in the skin for up to 72 hours after application, using Liquid-Sphere™ Technology, hyaluronic acid fragments and activated aloe water.

$118 at Adore Beauty

etat pur Hyaluronic Acid boasts a skin-plumping and wrinkle-filling formula that contains two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid — they smooth and hydrate the skin’s surface, and increase skin firmness. The lightweight formula can easily be layered under a moisturiser for extra hydration, but oily skin types might benefit from trying this serum solo. 

Was $52, now $41.60 at RY

As far as lightweight serums go, the almost water-light consistency of the niacinamide and panthenol-infused Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum really can't be beat. Perfect for hydrating and repairing skin too, vitamin B5 and B3 are combined in one handy formula to help optimise the moisturisation of skin, while plumping in all the right places for a youthful-looking complexion that glows. 

$115 at Ultraceuticals

We can’t talk about hydrating serums without giving credit to the game-changing and affordable range over at The Ordinary. Hyaluronic acid takes centre stage in this formula, with vitamin B5 (otherwise known as panthenol) in the supporting role, playing together to amplify surface hydration and promoting hydration in the deeper layers of the skin. 

$14.30 at Adore Beauty

Get ready to take your multivitamins; well your skin's multivitamin at least, in the form of Dope Skin’s antioxidant serum. This Aussie-made hyperpigmentation-reducing, skin-brightening serum works with hyaluronic acid to plump up and hydrate your skin (saying goodbye to fine lines), while rose water and niacinamide help to balance out your oil levels, leaving your skin totally rejuvenated.

$34.95 at Dope Skin

TBH it’s the hydrating serum to end all hydrating serums. With the inclusions of 98 per cent beta gluclucan-CM technology and hyaluronic acid, this silky soft and ultra-luxe serum works hard to give your skin added hydration. Add in the fact that the formula has been enriched with pre and probiotics to help satiate your skin’s desires, and you’ve got a real winner. 

$215 at Myer