Is your skin feeling drier this autumn? Meet your hydration heroes
There’s something about the arrival of autumn that makes your skin suddenly look a little less glowing and a little more haggard. If the change in weather has left your cheeks feeling tight, your foundation clinging to every crevice and your complexion looking like it needs a holiday, then you’ve come to the right place.
As the temperature drops, colder air, wind and indoor heating (hands up who’s had a quick blast recently?) can all contribute to dry or dehydrated-feeling skin. But before you panic-buy half the skincare aisle in Boots, we’re here to help.
The trick is knowing what your skin actually needs. Look out for ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help attract and hold water in the skin, alongside ceramides, which help support the skin barrier. Ingredients such as squalane can also help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss.
And here's something worth remembering: hydration isn't just about adding water. It's also about helping your skin hold on to it. This is why layering a hydrating serum underneath a good moisturiser can make more sense than simply buying the latest ‘miracle’ product and hoping for the best.
It's also worth knowing the difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Dry skin is generally a skin type, while dehydrated skin means your skin is lacking water and can happen to any skin type, including oily skin.
So, if your face is feeling a little more parched than usual, you’ve clicked on the right article. Meet the autumn hydration heroes worth knowing about. Have a read over the ingredients and pick a product that makes sense for your skin, rather buying everything in sight.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
This budget-friendly facial oil can help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. Use a few drops on their own or mix them into your moisturiser when you need an extra boost. £9.90
A high street favourite, it’s formulated with three lipids, ceramide NP, cholesterol and fatty acids, alongside squalane and glycerin, giving your skin several hydration-supporting ingredients in one serum. £13.99
Known for its professional-grade formulas, this combines hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 with glycerin, amino acids, lactic acid and creatine to help attract and retain moisture. It also contains saskatoon berry, which provides antioxidant properties. £60
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser
We’ve long been fans of Inkey for its simple, does-what-it-says-on-the-packaging yet effective formulas. This creamy ceramide moisturiser contains glycerin and shea butter and is backed by a clinical study. £20
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
If you’ve got cash to splash, SkinCeuticals is held in high regard in the skincare world, particularly for its science-led formulations. This moisturiser contains 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol and 2% fatty acids, making it a serious option if you’re looking to support your skin barrier. £155
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
A skincare giant and longstanding favourite, this lightweight serum uses technology inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research into circadian rhythm. It contains peptides to support the skin’s natural day/night cycle, alongside sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid. From £66.
Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
A nice K-beauty addition, this contains five ceramides, panthenol, glycerin and shea butter. The texture is rich, but it’s quick to absorb. £12
