Winter skin salves

Skin parched by the season? Drench it with serums packed with hyaluronic acid, famous for holding 1,000 times its weight in water. Katherine Lalancette swears by these six

Fortifying

This lightweight jelly blends hyaluronic acid to hydrate as well as mineral-rich Vichy volcanic water to strengthen skin and safeguard it against aggressors like weather changes, pollution, stress and fatigue. Suitable for all skin types, it’s the number one serum in Canada. Vichy Mineral 89 fortifying and plumping daily booster, $33, amazon.ca

Long-lasting

This serum quenches thirsty skin on contact thanks to hyaluronic acid, but it also replenishes moisture reserves from within with algae and fermented soy. Plant-derived sugars and amino acids trap water to prevent future dehydration. Dermalogica circular hydration serum, $79, sephora.ca

Plumping

This serum blends two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, one that penetrates deeper to deliver hydration, and one that stays closer to the surface to visibly re-plump. Add a little vitamin B5, better known as niacinamide, to boost collagen and further help with fine lines. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 serum,

$51, shoppersdrug mart.ca

Illuminating

This cult serum floods skin with moisture and revs up radiance and evens out tone and texture with pineapple ceramides. It also has an antioxidant complex, extracted from apples, lentils and watermelon rind, and vitamin B5, to further improve water retention. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra intensive hydration serum, $63, sephora.ca

No-frills

This affordable drugstore option doesn’t skimp on the good stuff, boasting a hearty dose of hyaluronic acid, three types of ceramides and some vitamin B5 to repair the skin barrier. With a cream-like formula (it almost feels like a moisturizer), it’s a dermatologist favourite for a reason. CeraVe hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, $26, amazon.ca

Super-luxe

Look closely and you’ll notice thousands of tiny droplets suspended in the formula. That’s because this serum is made using an exclusive technology that makes it possible to encapsulate ingredients, preserving their purity up to the second you apply the product. Chanel Hydra Beauty micro sérum, $175, holtrenfrew.com