Hydrating skincare products work hard to smooth out your dry, troubled complexion. Our list of requirements for The One? Lightweight, refreshing, fast-absorbing and hydrating. These offerings tick those boxes. The best of the lot, below.
Skincare tip: A pre-serum puts back moisture lost from cleansing; a serum targets specific skin concerns.
– Her World Beauty Team
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
It cleanses skin and removes makeup very effectively without stripping the face of its moisture. It’s super gentle on the skin and leaves it feeling soft, not taut, tight or uncomfortable.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
The creamy, rich texture is perfect for drier or older skin. A pea-sized amount is enough for the entire face. The cleanser lathers up well, and skin feels soft, smooth, hydrated and comfortable post-cleansing.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The gel transforms into a foamy lather that cleanses well without leaving skin dry or itchy. The face feels soft and supple after.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
It removes mascara and highly-pigmented lipstick extremely well without tugging on or dragging the skin. Skin feels so hydrated after that you could get away with not applying a moisturiser on nights when you just want to fall into bed.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
It takes off makeup effectively, although our tester felt a second, quick swipe with a micellar water-soaked cotton pad helped to get everything off more thoroughly. Skin looks brighter and feels hydrated.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The gel-like consistency is slightly heavier and stickier than what we’d expect of a pre-serum, but the product sinks right into skin. The complexion becomes less oily, especially on the t-zone, and skin feels soothed.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
The product is just slightly more viscous than water and sinks right into skin, so you can get on with your skincare routine. The complexion brightens immediately and skin looks plump and healthy
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
It’s great for normal to dry skin. the gel serum spreads easily on skin but isn’t sticky. It leaves the face feeling soft and comforted – skin looks more hydrated instantly. Testers also enjoyed the
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The rich serum is a boon to drier skin and gives a good base for other skincare to follow. The gel-cream texture makes the skin feel nourished. dry patches disappear and the serum’s hydration effects last through the night.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
This serum targets dry, stressed skin to strengthen the skin barrier and soften skin. You can expect a nourished and supple complexion.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
A light herbal-scented watery formula that absorbs like water, yet leaves skin feeling moisturised. On days when you’re pressed for time, it can stand alone as a pre-serum, serum and moisturiser in one, giving skin a healthy glow.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
The thicker texture feels slightly sticky, but we liked the effect on skin: It feels hydrated and looks plumped.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
An oil-free serum suitable for sensitive skin, it has a fluid texture and leaves skin feeling comfortable. It has a hydrating effect that lasts till morning.
Drugstore – Reader’s Choice
With a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, it boosts skin’s hydration levels and makes it appear smooth and healthy. We even layered makeup on top and skin still feels moisturised.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The lightweight gel is very easy to apply and absorbs well, although there is a slightly sticky after-feel. It keeps skin hydrated through the night – we noticed that our dry patches were gone the next morning.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
The cream is a super-hydrator that locks moisture into skin the entire day – even at freezing office air-con temperatures. The texture may seem heavy at first, but the cream sinks into skin quickly. Fine lines look less obvious and the skin has a healthy glow.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
The moisturiser is perfect for those who don’t enjoy richer textures. It doesn’t feel tacky on skin, and leaves it looking dewy and healthy.
Drugstore – Readers’ Choice
Very moisturising despite its lightweight texture. Skin feels soft and smooth, with a slight plumping effect. You could apply a thicker layer to use as a sleeping mask too.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
It has a mousse-like texture that spreads well on the skin and is quickly absorbed. It’s rich enough to be used as a night cream for normal skin. in the day, it also provides a smooth base for makeup.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
The oil-free formula works well on acne-prone and oily skin, while the gel texture absorbs quickly. Skin does indeed feel more moisturised for many hours.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
The thin, light serum glides very smoothly over the skin and leaves a cooling sensation on the eye area. The hydrating and plumping effects lasted at least three hours.
Drugstore – Readers’ Choice
Offers an excellent burst of hydration that keeps skin smooth and makes the under-eye area appear more rested and brighter.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
A lightweight serum that leaves a cooling sensation on the eye contours. It comes with a massage applicator to smooth fine lines and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
It works best on lines and dryness, giving the eye area an obvious brightening effect. Comes with a metal spatula/massager that makes application fun and therapeutic – you’ll need it to properly ease the thick cream into skin. Bonus: It doubles as a lip treatment.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
The cooling and lightweight water-based cream leaves a comfortable, moisturising film around the eye contour.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The mask instantly hydrates and soothes parched skin. We recommend using it just before an important event, to leave skin supple, smooth and hydrated for the next few hours.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
It drenches skin with so much moisture that the mask still feels moist even after 15 minutes. The formula absorbs well, leaving skin incredibly soft. Those with wider faces may feel the mask is too small.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
Used as a night-time treatment, the product refreshes and recharges skin overnight with a shot of hydration. It absorbs easily into skin and has a herbal scent.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The product comes in two parts: a powder and serum that you mix to form the mask. Apply the mask right away as it sets and hardens quickly. After peeling it off, you can see that skin looks plumper and brighter.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
Don’t worry about the crumbly texture. Before applying, work the mask with your fingers to make it smooth and creamy. Apply a thick layer for 15 minutes, then rinse. You’ll then see that skin feels softer and cleaner, and also looks brighter.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The essence contains no water. Instead, its trio of hydrating ingredients soothes skin, giving it a dewy glow. You can use it before serum in your daily routine as well (read also “Her World Beauty Awards 2020 Winner: This Facial Mist Will Quench Thirsty Skin Instantly“).
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
Delivers moisture to the skin and even serves as a good base for skincare and makeup. It has a long-lasting hydrating effect, so we didn’t feel the need to reapply throughout the day. Skin appears more radiant, tighter and firmer.
See the full HWBA 2020 winners’ list here OR…
- TAGS:
- AHC
- avene hydrance
- browhaus
- clarins my clarins
- dior capture youth
- Dr Dennis Gross
- estee lauder
- Etude House
- Hada Labo
- Her World Beauty Awards
- Her World Beauty Awards 2020
- history of whoo
- hydrating skincare
- ids skincare
- Jurlique
- kiehl's
- Lagom Cellus Deep Moisture Cream
- lancome
- Orbis
- origins
- pixi
- sigi skin
- skincare
- Su:m37
- the body shop
- Tom Ford
- whal myung
