10 Best Serums for Dry Skin in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

The moisture on your skin may be stripped away whenever you wash your face, so a hydrating serum after washing can help to deliver hydration back to your skin. Hydrating serums contribute extra moisture to your face and create a protective layer that locks in moisture in the skin. 

Hydrating serums are absorbed into the skin very quickly and can go into the deeper layers of the skin because their molecules are smaller than those in a regular moisturizer. Some ingredients that you will often see in this type of serum are argan oil, aloe vera, rosehip, ceramide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.

As you age, your skin tends to be more prone or susceptible to dryness, so getting yourself an anti-aging serum would be your best choice. These serums can address common signs of premature aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dryness, and other skin issues. 

Anti-aging serums also promote collagen production, which renews, restores, and rejuvenates the skin for a youthful glow. Ingredients like retinol and green tea extract in anti-aging serums can stimulate collagen and elastin production and nourish your skin to give you plump, radiant, and bright skin.

Exfoliating serums are very important in achieving smooth, soft, and supple skin. The build-up of dead skin cells may lead to dull and dry skin, which sometimes causes itching and flaking. They contain PHA or polyhydroxy acids, a humectant that can gently exfoliate, smoothen, and keep the skin moisturized.

These acids are lightweight and helpful ingredients for removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, preventing breakouts, and fighting off glycation or the excess glucose production of your skin's fibers. Through this action, exfoliating serums can leave your skin smoother and brighter like glass for a fresh look.

Dry skin often leads to dull skin, so you may opt for a skin-brightening serum to bring back your glow. This type of serum is designed to diminish hyperpigmentation, remove visible marks like age spots or sunspots, and help to make your skin tone even.

Skin-brightening serums can give you a radiant or vibrant glow and make you look fresh all day. These serums may contain grapefruit and antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C.

One of the most popular hydrating ingredients that you can find is hyaluronic acid. This powerful oil-free ingredient is your skin's best friend because it locks in moisture to give you smooth and supple skin. It can also reduce fine lines and wrinkles and help to restore your skin. Moreover, it's an all-around ingredient that can improve your skin's texture as well. 

Hyaluronic acid can work perfectly with other ingredients like ceramide, which helps with the repair of your skin barrier. Another ingredient to pair with hyaluronic acid is niacinamide, which can boost collagen production and complement the hydrating effect of the hyaluronic acid.

Glycerin is another effective ingredient that improves the hydration of the skin by replenishing dry skin with moisture. As a humectant, it helps restore and enhance the skin's natural protective barrier function against harmful UV rays. It's also an emollient, which means it has the ability to soften your skin. 

Argan oil is packed with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, all of which work by deeply moisturizing and hydrating the skin. It also heals skin from the inside to give you a healthy, smooth, and youthful glow. You may also look for other natural ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil.

Another good ingredient to look for in serums is Vitamin C. Just like how vitamin C boosts our immune system, it also has great benefits for the skin. It is rich in antioxidants that fight off free radicals and helps regenerate skin cells, which then leads to skin brightening. Vitamin C also helps stimulate collagen production to promote skin elasticity.

If you’re an active person who is always out of the house, water-based serums are your best choice. These serums can be quickly absorbed by the skin and can be applied under makeup, which makes them great to use during the daytime.

 
They are made with water-soluble ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C, which can hydrate your skin instantly. However, these formula types are lightweight and less concentrated, so they may not be suitable for those with extremely dry skin.

An oil-based serum is the best formula type for your dry skin. It is recommended to be used at nighttime because it takes longer to be absorbed by the skin. It is smooth and usually contains botanical or plant oils like jojoba, sunflower, argan, rosemary, coconut, and almond oils that moisturize and revitalize the skin. These oils help to protect and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier.