Dry skin remedies: 7 barrier repair face serums you need this winter

Yes, winter is officially fun season. After all, there is the promise of holiday break, hearty food, and festivities to enjoy. But it is admittedly not the most pleasant period for our skin, which has to brave cold temperature, high pollution levels, and harsh weather. It is that time of the year when our skin barrier is likely to get compromised, leading to skin drier than your situationship's text game (oops) and one that is in serious need of intense hydration. While switching to a creamier moisturiser is one way, it is also important to hydrate your skin from within so it stays healthy and plump throughout the winter. Enter: potent serums that inject a shot of hydration right into your skin and help in barrier-repair!

Scroll ahead to discover some of our favourites. 

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum, ₹1,800

This serum might have become viral in the skincare community because of its Barbiecore pink hue (thanks to vitamin B12), but its formulation packs a punch too. A combination of centella asiatica, the plant known for its healing anti-inflammatory properties; ceramides that mimic the lipids in our skin and help repair it, and hydrating niacinamide along with vitamin B12 delivers intense hydration, simultaneously soothing irritation and repairing the skin barrier.

First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum With Hyaluronic Acid, ₹4,525

Sensitive-skin friendly brand First Aid Beauty is known for products that target a specific skin concern, and this serum is made for parched skin that is in need of some TLC. The hydrating trinity of hyaluronic acid, squalane and colloidal oatmeal come together in an effective formulation that leaves skin feeling like a dewy jelly, and we can totally get behind it! Plus, the lightweight and non-sticky formula means it is the ideal consistency to layer with a creamy toner and a thick moisturiser without your face feeling tacky.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum, ₹5,440

If you’re a skincare enthusiast, chances are you’d have heard of LRP’s cult Cicaplast baume B5, an ointment like spot-treatment that is known to work wonders on dry, flaky, and irritated skin. But most don’t know that the brand also has a potent serum based on the same formula that is just as good for treating dull and dehydrated skin. 

Forest Essentials Rasa Activating Serum, ₹3,475

Forest Essentials, known for its Ayurvedic-inspired skincare range, has a thirst-quenching serum in its lineup that is known not only for deeply hydrating the skin but also rejuvenating it from withing for a fresh, radiant skin. Packed with active botanicals and green tea, liquorice, orange peel, and neelkamal seeds along with hyaluronic acid and betaine (both are known humectants), it will be loved by those with extra dry skin.

COSRX Hydrium Centella Aqua Soothing Ampoule, ₹1,950

Most barrier-repair and calming skincare products feature centella asiatica as one of the main ingredients for its soothing power, and this ampoule (a stronger cousin of the serum) by COSRX is no different. The ultra-hydrating, lightweight formula is bolstered by allantoin, which tones down irritation, and D-panthenol that is known for improving your skin barrier. Plus, it also features hyaluronic acid for a nourishing boost. What’s not to like?

Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, ₹5,985

The K-beauty brand is known for its fruit-heavy formulations, and this barrier-repair serum uses both avocado oil and extract to get the most of its hydrating and skin-strengthening properties. Add ceramides, peptides, along with rice milk to the mix, and you have a milky serum that is a godsend for dehydrated and sensitive skin!

Dermalogica Ultracalming Serum Concentrate For Sensitive Skin, ₹5,000

If you have extremely sensitive skin that easily gets irritated and dry, then consider adding this calming serum to your skincare routine. Formulated with a mix of oat, botanicals, peptides and sunflower seed and avocado extracts, it will help in soothing any flare-ups for radiant, dewy skin. We approve!