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Reviewed by Kimberly Samantha, Skincare Reviewer
We’ve all had to experiment with our skincare routines to discover what works best for us individually. Skincare is never one-size-fits-all, and because skin types and sensitivities vary so much, it pays to be careful with both cleansing and moisturizing.
Key Takeaways
- Look for hydrating, barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.
- Apply hyaluronic acid or moisturizer to slightly damp skin, then seal it in.
- Exfoliate gently: lactic acid is a milder AHA than glycolic acid, and all AHAs call for daily sunscreen.
- Skip drying alcohols, fragrance, and harsh sulfates; fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol are fine.
- If dryness is persistent, itchy, or painful, see a board-certified dermatologist.
This is especially true for those of us who suffer from dehydrated skin. The key is to keep your skin hydrated and gently cleansed, because very dry skin can crack, and cracked skin is more vulnerable to irritation and infection. That’s why we put together these lists of the top ingredients to use and avoid if you have dehydrated skin.
Ingredients to Use for Dehydrated Skin
Ceramides
Ceramides are a must-have in the skincare routine of anyone with dry skin. They are lipids that naturally make up part of your skin’s protective barrier, helping it hold onto moisture no matter the weather. You can find ceramides in many different skincare products, such as cleansers and moisturizers, so don’t be shy to work them into as much of your skincare routine as possible!
Check out these great ceramide-containing products from Cerave:
Hyaluronic Acid
If hyaluronic acid isn’t already part of your skincare routine, it should be. It attracts and holds onto water, and well-hydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles look less noticeable. Pro tip: apply hyaluronic acid to slightly damp skin, then follow with moisturizer to seal the hydration in.
Check out these great hyaluronic acid-containing moisturizers
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Lactic Acid
Another great acid, lactic acid is the perfect choice for gently removing dead skin and revealing your radiant, new healthy skin underneath. It can smooth uneven texture and soften the look of fine lines, and it’s one of the gentler AHAs. Since it is an exfoliant, don’t use it too often, especially at higher concentrations, and wear sunscreen daily because AHAs make skin more sensitive to the sun.
- The Ordinary – Lactic Acid 10% + HA
- SUNDAY RILEY – Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
- Youth To The People- Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Toner with Lactic Acid
Aloe Vera
Known for soothing mild sunburns, aloe vera is also a light, hydrating moisturizer. It’s mostly water and helps draw moisture into the skin, so pair it with a richer cream if your skin is very dry.
- Aloe Soothing Day Cream
- Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15
- Avocado + Aloe Double Shot Face Serum (Update, October 2026: currently sold out on Fourth Ray Beauty’s site)
Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
Both excellent and naturally plant-based moisturizers (shea butter comes from a seed, while cocoa butter comes from a bean), are probably the two best choices for heavy-duty moisturizing. To be clear, they have very different textures: shea butter is soft, wet, and pliable, while cocoa butter is hard. Both help seal moisture into the skin, and cocoa butter is even recognized by the FDA as a skin protectant ingredient. Cocoa butter can clog pores, though, so if you are acne or breakout-prone, you may want to try shea butter first or keep cocoa butter to your body and lips.
Ingredients to Avoid if You Have Dehydrated Skin
Alcohol
Alcohol is, unfortunately, an ingredient that we find in many skincare and makeup products. Drying alcohols can irritate skin and may worsen conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. If you have one of these conditions, a board-certified dermatologist can help you build a routine. Luckily, this ingredient is often marked right on the label, which helps in easily avoiding products that include it. Look out for drying alcohols such as denatured alcohol (alcohol denat.) and isopropyl alcohol. Fatty alcohols like cetyl and stearyl alcohol are different: the FDA notes their effects on skin are quite different from ethyl alcohol, and they’re common in moisturizers for dry skin.
Sulfates
Sulfates are often found in cleansers, as their purpose is to rid the skin of dirt and oil. However, cleansers containing sulfates are often harsher than others, and can be irritating for people with dry or sensitive skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for more gentle cleansers that are just as effective at removing dirt and debris. If your skin is dehydrated, a sulfate-free cleanser is usually the safer bet.
Fragrance
Fragrance is another ingredient worth avoiding if you have dry skin. Fragrances are often made up of hundreds of ingredients that often don’t have to go on the label of the skincare or makeup product. Due to this, you never really know what you’re putting on your skin. For dry skin types especially, not knowing what’s on your skin can lead to worsened dryness and irritation. So we recommend choosing fragrance-free products.
Glycolic Acid
Oftentimes, people with dry skin think that exfoliating will get rid of the dryness and irritation. And while gentle exfoliation can help, those with dry skin are more prone to over-exfoliation. This is why we recommend staying away from strong chemical exfoliants, such as Glycolic Acid. This strong chemical exfoliant can end up doing more harm than good to your dry skin. Glycolic acid is an AHA, but it’s one of the strongest. If you’re looking for ways to exfoliate, we recommend a gentler AHA such as lactic acid (see above).
Silicone
Many people with oily or acne-prone skin avoid silicones because they worry about clogged pores. For dry skin, silicones are less of a problem than their reputation suggests. Dimethicone, the most common silicone in skincare, is actually an FDA-recognized skin protectant ingredient that helps reduce water loss. Some people still find heavy silicone primers feel drying or uncomfortable, so if that’s you, check labels for “dimethicone” and patch test new products.
Final Words: Building a Routine for Dehydrated Skin
So what did you think of our lists of ingredients to use or avoid for dehydrated skin? Did some work better for you than others? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on Instagram @successiblelife. And if there is an Insta experience you’d like us to see, just use #SuccessibleBeauty for a chance to be reposted.
How do you treat dehydrated skin?
Focus on gentle skincare: wash with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, apply a hydrating serum such as hyaluronic acid to slightly damp skin, and follow with a moisturizer to seal the hydration in. Drinking enough water supports your overall health, but on its own it is unlikely to fix dehydrated skin. If dryness persists, see a board-certified dermatologist.
What are the skin signs of dehydration?
Your skin is low in water if it is dehydrated. It may also be dull-looking, dry, and irritating. It’s possible that your general tone and complexion are uneven, and your fine wrinkles are more obvious. Scaly skin, white flakes, redness, and irritation are symptoms of dry skin.
Can drinking water fix dehydrated skin?
Skin will become rigid and feel harsh if the epidermis’ top layer doesn’t have enough water. Despite this association, however, there is little evidence that drinking more water has any effect on the hydration or look of the skin.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic – Dry Skin (Xeroderma): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention
- Cleveland Clinic – Hyaluronic Acid: What It Is, Benefits, How To Use & Side Effects
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Alpha Hydroxy Acids
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (FDA) – 21 CFR 347.10: Skin protectant active ingredients
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Alcohol Free
Kourtney Anderson is a freelance writer for Successible Life and one of its most prolific contributors, covering makeup looks and techniques, skincare routines and ingredients, hair care and beauty shopping guides.