Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Serum

Not sure how I feel about this one.

The instructions say to massage this into clean skin and follow with a moisturizer. The serum alone is NOT soothing or moisturizing at all. It sinks into my skin nicely, but feels like any number of serums in my arsenal. So, is it activated by whatever moisturizer I use? I'm not sure. I bought this to use during cold, dry winter months in the upper midwest as it is advertised to sooth dry, parched skin. But, if I have to top it with a moisturizer, isn't the moisturizer doing the work? I just don't know. I'm not a chemist. So far, it hasn't done any more than my other serums. That being said, my skin isn't any drier or irritated in any way from it.