Silk Route skincare serum bottle and packaging on a beige background
A woman in a purple silk sari holds the Dew of Dunhuang Snow Mushroom serum bottle to her chin, card titled For the Queen in You
Snow Mushroom Hydrating Face Serum, 3 of 12
Snow Mushroom, Tremella fuciformis, growing in white frilled folds on a forest log, card on its place in Empress Dowager Cixi's beauty ritual
A woman rests her head on a carved wooden table beside the Dew of Dunhuang bottle and a piece of Snow Mushroom, card on the clinical studies of the key actives
A woman in a cream sari presses serum into her cheek beside a window, card on using two to three drops under sunscreen in the morning and before retinol at night
Close-up of a cheek at week 0 and week 9 of the in-house study of 28 participants, card titled Real Skin Real Results
The Dew of Dunhuang 50 ml bottle in front of a gilt mirror with pearls and red silk, card titled Bring the Ritual Home, up to two months of use
Portrait of Empress Dowager Cixi with text about her skincare ritual on a textured background
Snow Mushroom Hydrating Serum ingredient card: hemp seed oil, Tremella fuciformis, niacinamide

01 / 12

Snow Mushroom Hydrating Face Serum

Dew of Dunhuang · 50 ml

Snow Mushroom draws moisture in and holds it, so skin stays hydrated for longer. Niacinamide, Vitamin B3, is here for a more even tone.

★★★★★ 4.8 from 15 reviews

Diwali sale

₹2,099Was ₹2,499 about two months

Amazon Great Indian Festival Buy on AmazonSave 26% (opens Amazon)
  • Prime delivery
  • Sold by Silk Route Official

or buy from us

Also on Amazon (opens Amazon)
  • Cash on delivery
  • 7-day returns, even opened
  • Ships in 24 hours

Ships within 24 hours from our Bengaluru warehouse. Cash on delivery. Dermatologically Tested.

VisaMastercardRuPayUPINet bankingWallets

A woman presses the Dew of Dunhuang serum into her cheek in front of an ochre fresco wall, the bottle in the foreground

Why it works

  • Hydration that lasts

    Snow Mushroom draws water to the skin and lets it go slowly, rather than all at once, so your skin holds onto moisture.

    In studies of the key actives, hydration rose by 52%.

  • One serum in place of several steps

    A water holding botanical, a light sealing oil and two vitamin actives arrive in the same few drops, so one weightless serum does the work of four bottles.

  • A base that does not clog pores

    Cold pressed hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic, which means it will not block pores. It seals the water in and stays light, even on skin that is oily and thirsty at once.

  • Tone and texture, looked after

    Niacinamide, which is Vitamin B3, is here for tone that looks more even and texture that feels refined. Panthenol, Vitamin B5, is here for softness.

  • Dermatologically tested
  • IFRA certified fragrance
  • ISO 22716
  • Made in India

Certificates available on request.

The Dew of Dunhuang and its Qing illustrated box on marble in a sunlit room

A Royal Secret

Where ancient caravans once shimmered under desert moons, a dew now rises. Introducing the Dew of Dunhuang, an opulent face elixir born from the crossroads of the ancient Silk Route. Crafted by Silk Route, this elixir is an ode to Dunhuang, the fabled oasis of China where traders, monks, and muses alike paused to replenish their spirits.

For the Queen in you.

The full story

At the heart of Dew of Dunhuang lies the mystical Snow Mushroom, revered by Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing dynasty for its unmatched ability to hydrate and plump. Balanced with cold-pressed Hemp Seed Oil, rich in Omegas 3 and 6 and Vitamins E, B complex, and A, this nuanced facial formulation strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier, calms inflammation, hydrates deeply, and leaves behind a velvet-soft glow. Every drop is a symphony: dewy, indulgent, and impossibly weightless.

Formulated through meticulous R&D in Korea and China, and finally made in India, free from all known carcinogens, the Dew of Dunhuang reflects our commitment to sublime skincare without compromise. We are proud to be the first Indian facecare house to be certified globally safe by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) for added fragrances, because your skin deserves scent without suspicion.

Our Story: the house and its doors

दुनहुआंग अमृत敦煌甘露

Dūnhuáng gān lù. Dunhuang is the desert oasis on the old Silk Road where our Snow Mushroom is traced, and gan lu, the Chinese words beneath it, mean sweet dew. Buddhist translators chose gan lu for the Sanskrit word amrit, so the name was Indian before it was Chinese, and the serum carries it back to our Bengaluru home.

A ritual for both ends of the day

Three to four drops, twice a day, on damp skin.

The morning ritual with Dew of Dunhuang, Snow Mushroom Hydrating Serum

Morning

  1. Cleanse, and leave the skin damp.
  2. Press in three to four drops.
  3. Moisturiser, if your skin asks for it.

Every morning, sunscreen goes on last, once the drops have settled for 30 to 60 seconds.

The evening ritual with Dew of Dunhuang, Snow Mushroom Hydrating Serum

Evening

  1. Cleanse thoroughly.
  2. Press in three to four drops, neck included.
  3. Moisturiser, or a facial oil if your skin runs very dry.
Using it with retinol or other actives

On retinol nights

  1. 1Cleanse
  2. 2Retinol, on dry skin
  3. 3The serum, three to four drops
  4. 4Moisturiser

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A used at night. If it leaves your skin tight, press in the serum first as a cushion.

On exfoliating acid nights

  1. 1Cleanse
  2. 2Your acid, such as an AHA or BHA
  3. 3Let it dry
  4. 4The serum, three to four drops
  5. 5Moisturiser

These acids loosen dull surface skin. Keep them and retinol to different nights.

Retinol and acids both leave skin more sensitive to the sun, so the morning sunscreen matters most on these days.

Day 3, then the weeks

  1. Day 3Glass

    The glass skin morning: dewy, plump, lit from within.

  2. Week 2Smooth

    Skin feels smooth and quenched right through the day.

  3. Week 4Restore

    Skin feels fed and calm rather than tight by evening.

  4. Week 8Even

    Tone looks more even and the skin feels settled.

Close-up of a cheek at week 0 and week 9 of the in-house study of 28 participants, card titled Real Skin Real Results
In-house study of the finished serum, 28 participants, nine weeks. Results vary from person to person.

What the first bottles sent back

4.8★★★★★ 15 reviews on this site

★★★★★

Light weight, spreads quickly, amazing fragrance, smoothening effect. Extremely light serum that instantly gives a moisturizing effect and has an amazing mild fragrance. The slight stickiness in the beginning goes away after a few minutes, leaving a refreshing and soft skin. The skin feels fresh, dry and supple. Works on lightening dark circles too but that effect is a temporary one. Can work as a nice make up prep routine too. There is no irritation or reaction to the skin. My skin type is normal to dry and this serum seems to work well for my skin type. It has worked on dry patches of skin too giving the skin an instant tightening and glowing effect. Overall the product is very nice and provides good value for money. And yes the packaging gives a truly luxury product feel.

amrita · August 2026
★★★★★

Very lightweight and gel based serum , fully hydrating the skin for whole day. When you get the packaging, you are mesmerised by its beautiful and colorful packaging. Definitely feels that you are using something precious and premium. Serum comes in a beautiful 50ml bottle. It a gel based lightweight serum , not at all sticky or clumsy. It is power packed with hydration. After applying 3-4 pumps of it on my face and neck , my skin was hydrated for the whole day. I am using this after washing the face before applying the sunscreen and at night also before sleeping. I can see a little glow in my face and reduction in the pimple and acne marks also. Effectively working for me.

Seema kansal · August 2026
Read all reviews (15)

Collected on our own site through Judge.me and shown word for word, spelling included.

★★★★★

Exceptionally lightweight and deeply hydrating—perfect for warm, humid weather. This 50 ml serum is an excellent choice if you need deep hydration without the heavy, sticky feeling of traditional facial oils. It absorbs into the skin almost instantly.Texture & Feel: The formula is incredibly lightweight and leaves a completely matte, non-greasy finish. It layers beautifully under sunscreen and makeup without pilling or causing sweat build-up.Ingredients & Results: The combination of snow mushroom and niacinamide works well to plump the skin and control excess sebum. My face feels hydrated and stays balanced throughout the day.A fantastic daily serum tailored perfectly for managing oil and hydration in hot, humid climates.

Megha · August 2026
★★★★★ Photograph sent with Prachi's review

really liking it so far. It feels lightweight, absorbs well, and my skin feels more hydrated. happy with the purchase

Prachi · August 2026
★★★★★

Premium Packaging & Good Hydration. The first thing I noticed about this serum was the premium, luxurious packaging. It looks elegant and feels like a high-end skincare product. I also liked seeing ingredients such as Snow Mushroom, Hemp Seed Oil, Niacinamide, and Alfalfa in the formulation, which are commonly associated with hydration and skin nourishment. Snow mushroom is actually visible in the bottle The serum is slightly thick when dispensed, but it spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy or sticky finish. My skin felt soft and hydrated after use. One thing I didn't Like is the fragrance!! It is quite strong initially, and it was a bit too much for my personal preference. However, the scent fades away after a few minutes, so it doesn’t linger for long. Overall, this is a well-formulated hydrating serum with a premium feel and good absorption. The quality and packaging are impressive, though I feel the price could be a little lower to make it a better value for money.

Sandy · August 2026
★★★★★

Good and lightweight serum. I liked this serum overall. It has a lightweight texture and absorbs well into the skin without feeling sticky or heavy. My skin feels soft and hydrated after using it, and it works well for everyday skincare. The only thing I noticed is that the fragrance is a little strong for my preference. Other than that, I'm happy with the texture, hydration and overall quality of the serum.

Pretty · August 2026
★★★★★

Perfect for Everyday Skincare. I'm really happy with this serum. It feels very lightweight on the skin and gets absorbed quickly without making my face oily or sticky. After using it regularly, my skin feels more hydrated, soft and fresh. The texture is smooth and it works well in daily skincare, especially in Indian weather. Overall, it's a nice serum and definitely feels worth trying.

AIYA · August 2026
★★★★★

Lightweight, Hydrating & Great for Daily Use. I’ve been using this hydrating serum for a few days and I’m really happy with it. The texture is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave any sticky feeling on the skin. It gives my face a fresh, hydrated look without feeling heavy. Face get brighten up for quite some time which feels good. It is totally effective. The 50 ml bottle is compact and easy to carry, and the pump dispenser makes it convenient to use without any mess. A small amount is enough for the entire face, so it should last a while. Overall, it feels gentle on the skin and fits well into my daily skincare routine. A good value-for-money serum that I would happily repurchase.

Shivanshu Gupta · August 2026
★★★★★

Great for sensitive skin, it’s helped my skin breath while keeping it hydrated without layering too many products. Used it for a month and it has helped reduce my pigmentation without causing further breakout.

Varsha · July 2026
★★★★★ Photograph sent with Vedika's review

After using it for about 2 weeks, I can genuinely see a difference. I love the lightweight gel texture, and a little goes a long way. It’s hydrating enough that I don’t even need a moisturizer afterward. My skin feels healthier, more hydrated, and looks more even. Really happy with it! And the packaging is beautiful too.

Vedika · July 2026
★★★★★

A must in your ROUTINE! It’s been about 2 weeks since I started using this serum, and I can genuinely see a difference. I love the gel-like texture, and I usually massage it into my skin after applying. It’s become such a simple part of my routine, and I don’t even feel the need to use a moisturizer afterward because it’s hydrating enough on its own. My skin feels healthier, more hydrated, and looks more even. Really happy with it!

Vedika Mantri · July 2026
★★★★★

Been using the serum consistently and feeling great. Not just more hydrated, my skin tone is slowly evening out too.

Alysha · May 2026
★★★★★

Insane texture for sure, really enjoyed it.

Nivedtha · May 2026
★★★★★

Such pretty packaging.

Geetanjali · May 2026
★★★★★

Tried the serum and got my mother-in-law to try it too. Love the formulation and how it felt on my skin. The packaging is so good.

Varuni · April 2026

We are early. We will not write one ourselves, and we will not hide the short ones.

The Forgotten Art of Hydration

Centuries old botanical wisdom, rediscovered

Snow Mushroom in a carved brass bowl beside a glass dish of hyaluronic acid on a dark wooden table
Snow Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid
Hydration + defence Hydration
Moisture retaining Water binding
Cushioning Plumping
Multi benefit Single focus
Heritage botanical Clinical staple

The details

What is in it

Key ingredients

  • Snow Mushroom
    Snow Mushroom

    Tremella fuciformis, the hydration hero. The botanical holds up to 500 times its weight in water and gives it back slowly: steady moisture for skin that moves all day between outdoor heat and dry, air conditioned rooms.

  • Hemp seed oil
    Hemp seed oil

    Cold pressed, with a comedogenic rating of zero, so it does not clog pores. In humid weather, when heavier oils turn sticky, it stays light while it seals the water in.

  • Niacinamide
    Niacinamide

    Vitamin B3, for tone that looks more even, which matters to melanin rich skin under a strong sun. It works beside panthenol, Vitamin B5, which is here for softness when hard water leaves skin feeling tight.

  • Alfalfa extract
    Alfalfa extract

    Medicago sativa, naturally rich in Vitamins A, B, C, D and E: plant nourishment for skin that meets heat, dust and air conditioning in a single day.

Full ingredient list

  1. Aqua (Water)
  2. Propylene Glycol
  3. Propanediol
  4. Butylene Glycol
  5. Glycerin
  6. Snow Mushroom Extract (Tremella fuciformis)
  7. Alfalfa Extract
  8. Paracress Extract
  9. Niacinamide
  10. Betaine
  11. Sodium Hyaluronate
  12. Sodium Polyglutamate Crosspolymer
  13. Panthenol
  14. Maltodextrin
  15. Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Oil
  16. Encapsulated Globules
  17. Xanthan Gum
  18. Sodium Benzoate
  19. Potassium Sorbate
  20. Natural Fragrance

Free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, alcohol and artificial colourants. Certificates available on request.

The fragrance

A natural fragrance built to IFRA standards. Scent without suspicion. These are the notes it opens, settles and rests on, and nothing here is an ingredient claim.

Top note, the opening: dried rosehip. Petals warmed by the sun, warm and slightly tart.
Top note, the opening: dried rosehip. Petals warmed by the sun, warm and slightly tart.
Middle note, the heart: a soft botanical. A calm neutral bridge of plant water, the herbal air around the snow mushroom.
Middle note, the heart: a soft botanical. A calm neutral bridge of plant water, the herbal air around the snow mushroom.
Base note, the ground: cold pressed hemp seed oil in a brass bowl. Raw seed earthiness, faintly nutty and grounding.
Base note, the ground: cold pressed hemp seed oil in a brass bowl. Raw seed earthiness, faintly nutty and grounding.
Questions

What is the Dew of Dunhuang?

The Dew of Dunhuang is Silk Route's Snow Mushroom Hydrating Serum: a 50 ml serum built around Snow Mushroom (Tremella fuciformis) in a cold pressed hemp seed oil base, made in India for our Bengaluru home and sold here and on Amazon India, and nowhere else. Its lead ingredient, Snow Mushroom, holds 500 times its weight in water, which is a gram of it holding half a litre, so it keeps giving water back through the day rather than drying off in an hour.

Who is this serum for?

The Dew of Dunhuang is made for Indian skin biology in Indian heat and hard water: skin that dries out through a long day indoors, and skin that is oily at the surface and dehydrated underneath. It suits oily, combination, normal and dry skin, and it is dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic.

How do I use it?

The Dew of Dunhuang goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser: three to four drops, morning and evening, pressed into damp, cleansed skin. In the morning, sunscreen goes on last, 30 to 60 seconds after the drops. It replaces the hydrating half of a routine rather than joining it, so the actives you already use can stay where they are.

How long does a 50 ml bottle last?

A 50 ml bottle runs about two months of mornings and evenings at three to four drops a time. It stands in place of four bottles, the hydrating toner, the essence, the brightening serum and the face oil, so the honest comparison is against four rather than one.

Is it safe for oily or acne prone skin?

Yes. The Dew of Dunhuang is dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic, and the cold pressed hemp seed oil base carries a comedogenic rating of zero. It does carry a natural fragrance built to IFRA standards, so if you react easily, patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start once a day.

Seven days to return it, but the result takes eight weeks. How does that work?

Here is the honest split. Day 3 is the part you can judge inside the window: the natural glow either arrives or it does not, and if it does not, send the bottle back half empty and we refund it. The later weeks are the part we ask you to take on evidence rather than on trust, and that evidence is set out further down this page, under what the figures describe.

Can I use it with the actives I already have?

It goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser, and it works alongside the actives you already use. A retinol goes on first, on dry skin, then the drops; if retinol leaves you tight or flaky, press in a little serum first, apply the retinol, then seal with another light press. An exfoliating acid, AHA or BHA, a few nights a week, then the serum. Retinol and acids both make the next morning's sunscreen matter more.

Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Speak to your doctor before you use it. We do not give medical advice about pregnancy or breastfeeding, and a doctor who knows your skin and your history is the right person to ask.

How long does it last once opened?

Eight months once it is opened.

Where is it made?

Bengaluru is our home, and the serum is made in India for us by AG Organica in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, under ISO 22716, the cosmetics good manufacturing practice standard the EU requires of anything sold into Europe, and under cosmetic manufacturing licence UP16320000028. IFRA certified fragrance, 18 months of R&D, free from known carcinogens. Certificates available on request.

Does it contain THC, and is it legal in India?

No. The base is cold pressed hemp seed oil, pressed from the seed of Cannabis sativa, and the seed carries no THC. It is a food and cosmetic ingredient, sold openly in India for cooking as well as for skincare, and it is legal in both. Silk Route is the brand of Hempathy Naturals Pvt Ltd; the serum is made for it in India by AG Organica under ISO 22716 cosmetics good manufacturing practice.

What do the figures on this page describe?

The 500 times figure is the property of Snow Mushroom, peer reviewed, and describes the ingredient rather than this serum. The plus 52% hydration figure comes from studies of the key actives, not of this finished formula.

Delivery and returns

What are the returns and delivery terms?

Seven days from delivery, for any reason, and an opened bottle is fine. Write to karthik@silkrouteofficial.com or WhatsApp +91 98458 44001 with your order number, and we arrange a free reverse pickup by Bluedart from your door. The refund goes back to your original payment method within 5 to 7 business days. Shipping is free everywhere in India and taxes are included, so nothing is added at checkout. Orders ship within 24 hours, and then take 2 to 4 business days to reach metro cities, 4 to 7 to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and 7 to 10 to remote areas. Cash on delivery is available.

Pay by card, UPI, net banking or wallet, or pay the delivery person in cash. We pack and ship within 24 hours, and you have seven days to send it back, half empty is fine.

Sold here and on Amazon India, and nowhere else. Both are us. Anywhere else is not.

Hempathy Naturals Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru

A hand holding a frilled white Snow Mushroom above the Dew of Dunhuang bottle

The Snow Mushroom

The mushroom behind the dew

Tremella fuciformis grows in frilled, snow white folds, and the botanical holds up to 500 times its weight in water. It leads the Dew of Dunhuang, set in cold pressed hemp seed oil with niacinamide and panthenol, for skin that lives with Indian heat, air conditioning and hard water.

₹2,099 50 ml · about two months

A story beyond the formula

The story continues on the box.

A royal-inspired feminine figure, architectural detail and botanical illustration turn the box into a visual expression of the Silk Route world.

Close-up of the Dew of Dunhuang box: a Qing court figure in a gold headdress with peonies, touching a red knot ornament

01 / The feminine figure

Royal beauty, reimagined.

Our royal-beauty story draws on Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing court. The box echoes that inspiration through an ornate headdress, flowers and gold detailing.

Close-up of the Dew of Dunhuang box: a gold-edged palace roofline above the Silk Route label

02 / Architecture & ornament

A world in the details.

Sweeping rooflines and intricate ornament set the scene. Botanical motifs and decorative vessels carry that language across the box.

An object to keep.

Crimson, cream and gold connect box and bottle. Together, the illustration and its coordinated presentation give Dew of Dunhuang its collectible character: skincare with a story to return to.