The climate in dry, humid cities presents a particular conundrum for dry skin. These hydrating serums promise to deliver lasting moisture and a healthy glow, perfectly suited for our skin’s needs.
For those of us with dry skin living in a city like Lagos, the daily climate presents a unique challenge. The air can often feel paradoxically dry despite the humidity, leaving our skin parched and uncomfortable. This constant battle against dehydration can make finding the right tools for moisturising feel less like a simple skincare step and more like an ongoing mission.
This is where serums step in as absolute skincare superheroes. These lightweight yet potent formulations are packed with a high concentration of active ingredients designed to penetrate deeply into the skin. Unlike heavier creams, their thinner consistency allows them to deliver targeted hydration and address specific concerns – like boosting moisture levels and strengthening the skin barrier – without feeling heavy or occlusive, which is crucial in our humid environment.
With this piece, I’m here to cut through the noise and explore the top moisturising contenders specifically designed to rescue dry skin in these demanding conditions. I aim to guide you toward formulas that not only replenish lost moisture but also feel comfortable and breathable in the Lagos humidity, avoiding that heavy or greasy sensation. Consider this your guide to finally achieving a complexion that feels supple, healthy, and genuinely hydrated:
Hyaluronic Glow revive Serum
Tiam
Price: ₦17,080
Pros: This serum is a true hydration hero. It packs multiple types of hyaluronic acids like Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. It provides deep, lasting moisture, without feeling heavy on our skin. Equally important, it helps skin build a better barrier.
This protects against climate dryness, and against pesky environmental stressors. Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract (Cica) is present. Panthenol is also included. These soothe any redness or irritation. Plus, it sinks in super fast. There is no annoying stickiness. Faces feel fresh and happy.
For the conscious consumer, it’s cruelty-free. It skips common irritants like artificial fragrances. Drying alcohols are also absent.
Cons: Finding it might be a bit of a hunt. This depends on your location. Online orders and waiting may be necessary. Thankfully, Beauty Hut Africa stocks this. You’re welcome! While generally wallet-friendly, the price may be a consideration.
This is for some of us. Even though gentle, everyone’s skin is unique. There’s always a small chance your skin won’t love an ingredient.
Birch Moisture Boosting Serum
ANUA
Price: ₦22,800
Pros: This serum feels like giving your skin a deep drink of water, thanks to the power of birch sap. It’s known to be super hydrating and can really plump things up for us dry skin girlies. Plus, it’s formulated to be lightweight.
We love how it soothes and calms our skin, reducing that tight or irritated feeling we know all too well. It’s a good pick for those of us with sensitive skin. Expect your skin to feel refreshed and dewy after using it!
Cons: While it’s great for hydration, if your skin is feeling super parched, it might not be the thickest, most intensely moisturising option on its own – you might need to layer up.
And if you’re looking for a serum that tackles a lot of different concerns, like major anti-ageing or brightening, this might not be the one, as it is primarily focused on hydration and soothing.
Daily Brightening Serum
Good Molecules
Price: ₦12,300
Pros: This serum tackles dullness and helps you get that glow, thanks to ingredients like Vitamin C. It’s pretty lightweight, so it layers well under moisturisers and makeup without feeling heavy or dampening.
Good Molecules is budget-friendly, which is always a plus for anyone’s wallet. And it’s gentle, which is a win for those of us with sensitive skin.
Cons: While it’s great for hydration, if your skin needs intense moisture, especially during the drier spells of the harmattan months, it might not be the richest, most occlusive option.
While it’s formulated for sensitive skin, there’s always a slight chance someone’s skin might react to an ingredient – it’s just how skin can be!
Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay
Price: ₦43,541
Pros: This is a big hitter when it comes to hydration – it packs two types of hyaluronic acid. It helps plump up the skin and smooth out those fine lines that dehydration can make more noticeable. We love that it includes Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), which can soothe the skin and help repair that precious skin barrier — something that can get stressed in our climate.
Plus, La Roche-Posay is known for being gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, so many of us with easily reactive skin can use it without worry. Expect your skin to feel more supple, hydrated, and healthier overall.
Cons: While it aims for brightening, if you’re dealing with really stubborn dark spots or hyperpigmentation, this might not be the most potent treatment out there — we might need something stronger.
Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, even gentler forms of Vitamin C can sometimes cause a little tingle or mild irritation, so watch out. Try a patch test before committing.
Real Aqua Balancing Ampoule
Acwell
Price: ₦19,740
Pros: We find that this serum helps to soothe and calm any irritation or redness our skin experiences.
It’s a great option for those dealing with combination skin, providing moisture where needed without exacerbating oily areas. It absorbs quickly too, making it easy to layer with other products in any routine.
Cons: While it’s great for lightweight hydration, if our skin is going through a really dry spell, it might not provide the intense moisture needed — you might have to reach for something richer.
Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin
Beauty Of Joseon
Price: ₦21,045
Pros: This serum is quite the multitasker! The ginseng is known to help with anti-ageing, potentially improving our skin’s firmness and reducing the appearance of fine lines — something we’re always looking for. The snail mucin is fantastic for hydration and can give the skin that lovely, plump feel.
Plus, Beauty of Joseon often focuses on traditional Korean ingredients, which many find gentle and effective. We can likely expect our skin to feel more hydrated, smoother, and potentially more youthful-looking with continued use.
Cons: While snail mucin is generally well-tolerated, the texture can feel a little slimy or tacky to some of us initially, although it usually absorbs well. And if we have specific sensitivities to snail mucin or certain botanical extracts sometimes found in these types of formulations, we’d need to be mindful.
While ginseng is great for anti-ageing, the concentration in this serum might not be as high as in more targeted anti-ageing treatments if that’s our primary concern.
Finally, for those of us who prefer strictly vegan products, snail mucin is an animal-derived ingredient.
Go and be dry no more
The serums we’ve explored each offer distinct benefits that cater to different needs and preferences. As dry skin girls, we need formulas that can truly quench our skin’s thirst without feeling heavy or greasy in our humid yet often drying environment.
Ultimately, the best choice for us will depend on our individual skin concerns and what feels most comfortable and effective in keeping our complexions happy, healthy, and beautifully hydrated right here in our vibrant climate.
