Winter is almost here, which means our festivities are about to begin (yaaay!)
But as temperatures drop and the air loses moisture, your skin could get super dry, tight, and you may even notice some flaking or dullness that wasn’t there a few weeks ago.
This winter, get the best face serums for both day and night. Generally, a good serum can protect your skin against the harsh elements, and what better way to enjoy Christmas than with beautiful, glowing skin?
Below, I will share the best face serums you can get online today!
Why Do You Need A Winter Face Serum?
During winter, your skin barrier works overtime to protect you from the harsh wind, dry air, and the cold. And not just outdoors; when indoors, you’ll use your heating system, creating a moisture-zapping environment, which adds more to the strain.
Photo Credits: Vilvah Store
Serums are usually packed with higher concentrations of active ingredients, and I’m sure you’ve heard about these:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
- Retinol
And more.
With special formulations consisting of tiny molecules, a serum is able to penetrate deep into your skin, which then allows it to target concerns such as dryness, dullness, fine lines, and even barrier damage.
A serum also gets absorbed quickly, layers beautifully under a moisturizer and makeup, and delivers results you can actually see and feel.
Without further ado, let’s review the products you can get right now:
1. CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum
CeraVe’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains their highest concentration of hyaluronic acid, which is exactly what winter-stressed skin craves. Hyaluronic acid acts like a moisture magnet, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. During winter, when humidity drops and your skin struggles to retain moisture, this ingredient becomes your best friend.
This serum combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 (panthenol) and three essential ceramides. Vitamin B5 soothes and supports skin repair. The ceramides help restore and maintain your skin’s protective barrier, the very barrier that winter weather tries to compromise.
When you apply it, follow up with a rich, ceramide-based moisturizer. CeraVe’s own Moisturizing Cream works beautifully, but any thick, fragrance-free moisturizer will do.
The gel-textured serum provides deep hydration while the moisturizer seals it in. For daytime, you can add a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher: winter sun still causes damage, especially reflecting off snow.
2. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
Winter doesn’t just dry out your skin, it can make it look dull and tired. The shorter days, lack of sunshine, and constant indoor lighting take a toll on your complexion. A Vitamin C face serum for winter can work wonders for you, and TruSkin’s formula has earned over 150,000 Amazon reviews for good reason.
Inside this formula is Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a stable, gentle form of vitamin C), which brightens and protects against environmental damage. The formula also includes hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin E for antioxidant protection, and botanical extracts like aloe vera and centella asiatica that calm irritated winter skin.
You can use this in the morning after cleansing and before moisturizer. The vitamin C boosts your sunscreen’s effectiveness, so this is crucial even in winter. Choose an oil-free moisturizer if you have combination skin, or something richer if you’re experiencing winter dryness.
The formula absorbs fast, doesn’t leave sticky residue, and works for sensitive skin, which is a big deal when winter already has your skin feeling reactive.
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Yes, snail mucin sounds unusual. But hear me out: this Korean skincare staple has earned cult status for a reason, and winter is when it truly shines. With 96% snail secretion filtrate, this essence provides intense hydration while helping repair skin damage from winter’s harsh conditions.
Beyond the star ingredient (snail mucin), you’ll find sodium hyaluronate (another form of hyaluronic acid), panthenol, and allantoin. Together, these ingredients hydrate deeply, soothe irritation, and support skin healing. The texture feels thick and gel-like in the bottle, but it sinks into skin surprisingly fast.
You can apply this after cleansing and toning, before your heavier serums or moisturizers. It works beautifully in a “layering” routine (a K-beauty technique where you apply multiple thin layers of hydration). Follow with a moisturizer that contains niacinamide or ceramides to lock in all that moisture.
So many reviewers consistently report that this essence eliminates dry patches, reduces redness, and gives skin a healthy, dewy glow. It’s also gentle enough for sensitive skin and actually helps prevent the acne breakouts that can happen when you switch to heavier winter moisturizers.
4. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If you want a serum that feels like a spa treatment, this is it. La Roche-Posay is a dermatologist-favorite brand, and their Hyalu B5 Serum combines pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with luxurious texture. It’s pricier than some options, but the concentrated formula means a little goes a long way.
The formula has two types of pure hyaluronic acid (for both surface and deep hydration), vitamin B5, madecassoside (from centella asiatica, which calms and repairs), and the brand’s signature thermal spring water. It also contains glycerin and dimethicone to lock in moisture.
This serum works morning or evening. For best results, apply it to slightly damp skin: mist your face with thermal water or just pat on while your skin is still damp from cleansing. Then, follow with your regular moisturizer.
If using in the morning, finish with sunscreen. The serum layers well under makeup and actually helps foundation apply more smoothly.
The rich, slightly viscous texture delivers serious hydration without feeling greasy. Reviewers report visible plumping of fine lines within hours, and after a few weeks, skin looks more resilient and elastic. The madecassoside is particularly helpful if winter wind leaves your skin feeling raw or irritated.
5. Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum
This face serum is one of the most budget-friendly, but that does not mean ineffective. Good Molecules offers 10% niacinamide (vitamin B3) at a price point that makes it accessible to everyone. Niacinamide is a winter skincare powerhouse as it strengthens your skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and helps skin retain moisture.
With this serum, you’re in for a skin treat that will not irritate. The formula is simple and straightforward, with glycerin for added hydration. It’s free of fragrances and unnecessary additives.
You may want to apply after cleansing and any watery serums (like hyaluronic acid), but before oils or moisturizers. Wait a minute for full absorption.
Niacinamide plays well with most ingredients, but if you’re also using vitamin C, apply them at different times of day (vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night). Then, follow with a rich moisturizer to seal in the benefits.
The formula’s Niacinamide strengthens your skin’s natural barrier, which is exactly what you need when cold air and indoor heating are working against you.
It also helps control oil production (helpful if heavier winter moisturizers make you break out) and brightens skin. The lightweight, watery texture absorbs instantly without any stickiness.
6. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line has become synonymous with hydration, and their serum delivers the same moisture-boost technology in a concentrated formula. It’s affordable, widely available, and formulated to work for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
The star ingredient is hyaluronic acid that binds water to your skin, along with pro-vitamin B5 and glycerin. Together, these ingredients provide 24-hour weightless hydration. The formula is oil-free, fragrance-free (in the newer version), paraben-free, and non-comedogenic.
Apply 4-5 drops to clean face and neck, morning and evening, before your moisturizer. For extra hydration, layer it under Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel or any lightweight gel moisturizer. If you have dry skin, opt for a cream-based moisturizer instead. The serum absorbs in seconds, so you can apply makeup immediately.
The ultra-light formula won’t overwhelm skin that’s already layered under winter scarves and hats. It provides genuine hydration without adding oiliness or weight. Reviewers especially love it for creating a smooth base for makeup (no pilling, no greasiness, just hydrated, comfortable skin).
7. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum
Another CeraVe winner, this vitamin C serum delivers 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) combined with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s an excellent choice if you want brightening and antioxidant protection but are worried about the irritation that vitamin C can sometimes cause.
This face serum includes ceramides to support your skin barrier, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and vitamin E for additional antioxidant protection. The stabilized formula means the vitamin C stays effective longer.
For best results, you can use it in the morning after cleansing. Wait a moment for absorption, then follow with a moisturizer containing niacinamide if possible (the two ingredients work synergistically). Then, finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Vitamin C makes your sunscreen more effective, but it also means your skin can be more sun-sensitive.
Winter dullness is real, you name it: less time outdoors, gray skies, and dry air all contribute to lackluster skin. Vitamin C counteracts this by brightening your complexion and protecting against free radical damage from indoor pollutants and heating systems. The ceramides ensure your barrier stays strong despite the harsh conditions.
8. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
I know we’ve said this many times, but winter isn’t just about hydrating your sking. It’s also a great time to address texture issues, post-acne marks, and uneven tone. CeraVe’s retinol serum uses encapsulated retinol, which releases slowly to minimize irritation while still delivering results.
This formula is loaded with good ingredients. Encapsulated retinol resurfaces skin and boosts cell turnover. Licorice root extract brightens post-acne marks and discoloration. Niacinamide calms skin and strengthens the barrier. Then, three essential ceramides support skin health.
The formula is also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.
Start by using this serum 2-3 times a week in the evening, gradually building up to nightly use as your skin adjusts. Apply to clean, dry skin, wait a moment, then follow with a rich, hydrating moisturizer (retinol can be drying, so extra moisture is essential). Don’t forget, always use SPF during the day when using retinol products, as they increase sun sensitivity.
Winter is actually an ideal time to introduce retinol because you’re naturally spending less time in direct sunlight.
9. COSRX Niacinamide 5% + Snail Mucin 74% Dual Essence
This dual-phase essence combines the hydrating power of snail mucin with the barrier-strengthening benefits of niacinamide. It’s like getting two serums in one bottle, and the combination is particularly effective for winter skin that needs both moisture and repair.
The formula contains 74.3% triple snail complex (three types of snail mucin) and 5% niacinamide, along with panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and glutathione. The dual-phase formula means you shake it before use to mix the watery and oil phases together.
Then, apply to clean skin after toning, before heavier serums or moisturizers. The essence delivers deep hydration, so you might find you need less moisturizer on top. For very dry skin, layer a ceramide-rich cream over it. The formula works well both morning and night.
The combination of niacinamide and snail mucin addresses multiple winter skin concerns at once: dryness, dullness, irritation, and barrier damage. The essence has a lightweight feel but delivers serious hydration. Reviewers report brighter, more even-toned skin with a healthy glow, exactly what you need to combat winter’s draining effects.
10. TruSkin Vitamin C Super Serum Plus
If you want an all-in-one anti-aging serum for winter, this is it. TruSkin’s Super Serum combines vitamin C with retinol, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and hyaluronic acid. Yes, that’s a lot of active ingredients, but they’re formulated to work together without overwhelming your skin.
In this face serum for winter, Vitamin C brightens, retinol resurfaces and smooths, niacinamide calms and strengthens, salicylic acid gently exfoliates, and hyaluronic acid hydrates. The formula also includes MSM (for anti-inflammatory benefits) and rosehip oil (rich in vitamins and fatty acids). It has a subtle grapefruit scent.
Because this serum contains multiple active ingredients, start slowly—use 2-3 times per week initially, building up to daily use as your skin adjusts. Apply to clean skin, wait for full absorption, then follow with a gentle, hydrating moisturizer, and then apply SPF during the day. This serum works best at night when your skin is in repair mode.
Winter is when skin damage from summer sun starts to show up, and this serum addresses it all (hyperpigmentation, fine lines, texture, and dullness). The combination of ingredients means you’re getting multiple benefits in one product. Just be patient as your skin adjusts, and don’t skip the moisturizer and SPF.
How to Choose Your face Serum for Winter
I know, when you’re looking for a product to buy, a list of ten hardly feels like the narrowed-down answer you were hoping for. So, to help you zero in on your options, I created this quick table to match your biggest skin concern with the perfect serum:
| Your Main Concern | What to Look For | My Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Dryness & Dehydration | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin | CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 |
| Dullness & Uneven Tone | Vitamin C, niacinamide | TruSkin Vitamin C Serum, CeraVe Vitamin C Serum |
| Irritation & Redness | Niacinamide, snail mucin, centella asiatica | Good Molecules Niacinamide, COSRX Snail Mucin, COSRX Dual Essence |
| Texture & Aging Signs | Retinol, peptides | CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum |
| Multiple Concerns | Multi-active formulas | TruSkin Super Serum Plus, COSRX Dual Essence |
| Sensitive Skin | Fragrance-free, minimal ingredients | Neutrogena Hydro Boost, Good Molecules Niacinamide |
Final Thoughts
Winter skincare is about listening to your skin and giving it what it needs. These serums have thousands of positive reviews because they work for real people with real skin concerns. They’re affordable, effective, and available right online now!
Start with one serum that addresses your biggest concern. Give it a few weeks to work. If you love it, great. If not, try another. Your skin is unique, and finding the right serum might take some experimentation. But once you find your match, you’ll wonder how you ever survived winter without it.
Great information right there.