First aid beauty ultra repair hydrating serum reviews

Underpromise and overdeliver. That’s First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum‘s motto.

This unassuming serum promises to give your skin its daily dose of moisture. It delivers way more than that…

HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN

Hyaluronic acid is a godsend for dry skin. It attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water.

The extra moisture hydrates the skin, keeping it softer and plumper. And when skin is all plumped up, wrinkles look smaller, too.

And did I mention, hydration gives the complexion a healthy, dewy glow?

P.S. Hyaluronic Acid isn’t the only moisture magnet here. Glycerin and collagen do the same thing, too.

Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type

Don’t know how to combine your skincare products to maximise their effectiveness? Download the “Combine Your Actives Like A Pro” cheatsheet to find out:

ANTI-IRRITANTS TO REDUCE REDNESS AND IRRITATIONS

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum is packed to the brim with soothing ingredients that can calm down irritations and reduce redness. A few of them also have antioxidant properties that help prevent premature wrinkles.

Here are the highlights:

• Colloidal Oatmeal: One of the most soothing ingredients on this planet, it soothes sunburn, rashes (including diaper rashes), hives, insect bites, and other pruritic conditions.
• Feverfew Extract: A powerful antioxidant that reduces UV-induced inflammation, prevents premature aging, and calms down redness.
• Green Tea: Another powerful antioxidant that helps protects skin from UV damage, prevent wrinkles, and soothe inflammation.
• Allantoin: It has moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties that calm down irritated skin, soothe redness and reduce itching.

Related: The Complete Guide To Green Tea In Skincare: What Does It Really Do For Your Skin?

Texture

A lightweight gel that sinks in immediately without leaving any residue behind.

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free.

How To Use It

Morning and/or night, after cleansing/toner but before moisturiser. If you’re using an anti-aging serum (think Vitamin C or retinol), apply that first.

Performance & Personal Opinion

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum is that rare gem that works for all skin types and does what it says on the tin.

Its lightweight, hydrating texture gives dry and dehydrating skin that extra moisture boost it needs, keeps oily and acne-prone skin soft and supple all day without any greasiness, and soothes redness and irritation in sensitive skin.

In the short term, the extra hydration also plumps up my fine lines, so they look smaller. In the long term, its soothing ingredients double up as antioxidants and help you prevent new fine lines in the first place.

The serum also layers well under moisturisers and makeup. I hate wearing layers and layers on products and feeling like they never sink in.

This covers all the basis – hydration, anti-aging, soothing – and feels like you’re not wearing anything.

Just one thing: if your skin is already in good condition and you only need a little moisture boost, you may think “this doesn’t do anything that a cheaper hyaluronic acid serum doesn’t.”

In the short term, you’re right. You’ll see more of a difference if you have sensitive skin that’s throwing another tantrum.

Related: What Are The Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums?

Who Is This For?

Everyone can use it, but it’s best suitable for oily, acne-prone skin.

Who Is This NOT For?

If your skin is perfectly hydrated and healthy, you don’t need this.

Packaging

A white and blue plastic tube with a pump applicator. It’s practical and keeps the goodies inside safe from the light and air that would make them spoil faster.

Does First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

$48.00/£30.00 at Asos, Feel Unique, Sephora, and Ulta

Do You Need It?

If you’re looking for a hydrating serum with anti-aging and soothing benefits, this is perfect for you.

Dupes & Alternatives

• Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 (£37.24)
• Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($34.00)

Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycerin, Soluble Collagen, Methyl Gluceth-20, Colloidal Oatmeal, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Nitrate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, EDTA, Glyoxal.