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As the temperature keeps dropping, some skin types suffer more from dehydration,* cough*dry skin*cough*. But dehydration isn’t exclusive to dry skin. You’ll be surprised how many people suffer from dehydration even with oily skin. The colder months create a common ground for all skin types where we complain about dullness, tightness, flakiness, and more visible wrinkles together. To save you some time looking for products, we’ll be helping you pick the best moisturizer for dehydrated skin. But first, let’s clear one thing up.
The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is that dry skin is a skin type whereas dehydrated skin is a skin issue. It means that whether you have oily or dry or combination skin, you can still suffer from dehydrated skin.
Remember that dehydration can also be a sign of an impaired skin barrier. If you think that’s the case, learn how you can repair a damaged skin barrier to prevent further dehydration.
So what causes dehydrated skin? In the simplest terms, dehydrated skin usually occurs when the outer layer of your skin lacks water. Due to aggressive skincare products, or harsh weather, your skin can start to lose water, causing dehydrated skin.
And how do you treat dehydrated skin? You first hydrate it! And then you moisturize. To give you more context, hydration translates to humectants in your moisturizer. The most common of them are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol. As dehydration is mostly about lack of water, these are the ingredients to look for to compensate.
This is the bare minimum for all skin types. From here on, it turns into a matter of specific skin types. For example, oily skin can get away with a humectant (water-based) moisturizer that’s oil-free. But you can still try oil-based ones as long as the oils are non-comedogenic.
And for dry skin, a water-based cream is not going to cut it. Besides attracting water to the skin with humectants, look for oil-based creams that are more emollient and occlusive. So here are 15 of the best moisturizers for dehydrated skin.
The Best Moisturizers For Dehydrated Skin
1. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
With 30% hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer is basically a constant splash of water on the face. My main man Thomas doesn’t play when it comes to skincare. The cream has an amazing lightweight texture with a dewy finish.
But the cool thing is that it also contains ceramides, which are lipids that help the skin retain moisture and give the skin that hydrated and fresh look.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Fragrance-free, oil-free
2. Lancome Hydra Zen Glow Lightweight Liquid Moisturizer
This is one of the lightest moisturizers out there. It’s literally a liquid moisturizer and has the most amazing dewy finish. It’s great for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. For hydration, it has sodium hyaluronate, which is a lighter version of hyaluronic acid.
It also has several amino acids, which are also great hydrators for the skin. With light plant oils like macadamia nut oil and jojoba oil, it seals in moisture and keeps the skin plump all day. It’s comfortable on the skin, especially in hot summer weather. And its dewy finish is amazing for waking up dull and tired-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, amino acid blend
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Non-comedogenic
3. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer
This was previously known as Water Bank Moisture Cream. But it had a huge makeover and now has very nice packaging. Just like the former formula, this one is also an amazing moisturizer and it’s perfect for dehydrated skin. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane.
The restorative formula is intensely hydrating for thirsty skin and absorbs quickly too. And it leaves the skin smooth and velvety. It has a nice ‘clean’ smell; nothing too fancy. It also looks amazing underneath the foundation.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.6 oz
Notes: Hypoallergenic
4. Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel
Nutrient-charged indeed! Sometimes hydration may not be enough. You need to make sure it lasts longer. And for that, this one contains nourishing ingredients that are amazingly beneficial in repairing the skin barrier. An intact skin barrier is essential if you want your skin to stay hydrated.
It has peptides and ceramides to restore the skin barrier. Plus, it has niacinamide (vitamin B3), which is a super multi-tasker that helps repair the skin barrier while balancing the oil. On top of that, it has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to ensure long-lasting moisture retention as well as free radical protection.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, amino acids, peptides, ceramides
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free
5. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This is one of the best moisturizers for dehydrated skin, especially in the winter. It works as a protective layer against harsh weather. It’s enriched with squalane to lock water in and prevent dehydration. This fragrance-free moisturizer is also a favorite of Kim K’s makeup artist Mario.
Turns out, Mario gave a beauty tip to his students in his master class using this face moisturizer. Thanks for the validation! He uses it as a primer and he applies it using a damp beauty blender.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, avocado oil, glycerin
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Fragrance-free
6. Tatcha The Water Cream
Packed with a variety of antioxidants like green tea and algae that have amazing anti-aging benefits, Tatcha Water Cream is a lightweight moisturizer that has a smooth, silky finish. The cream is oil-free, which makes it even better for oily and dehydrated skin.
Besides hyaluronic acid, it’s packed with oil-balancing botanicals to keep the skin hydrated without making it greasy. You don’t need too much product to hydrate and blur out pores. This is an amazing moisturizer for dehydrated skin to seal moisture in right after the shower.
Key Ingredients: Green tea, rice extract, algae, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All, especially combination and oily
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Oil-free, cruelty-free
7. Dermalogica Calm Water Gel
Dermalogica always does a great job when it comes to solutions for sensitive skin. This one is a gel-like moisturizer and it’s perfect for dry/sensitive and dehydrated skin.
The cream has hyaluronic acid in different molecular sizes to ensure hydration on all skin levels. Besides apple extract to smooth the skin, it has aloe and lavender to calm and soothe sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, hyaluronic acid, apple extract
Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free
8. Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer
This face moisturizer is designed to replenish the skin, boost moisture, and gently brighten the skin to address issues like dark spots and pigmentation. The overall formula is highly effective in targeting dehydration. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and ceramides to increase hydration.
And it has pineapple enzymes, which is a natural exfoliant that renews the look of dehydrated skin and smooths out flakiness. Plus, it’s super lightweight and oil-free. You can hydrate your skin throughout the winter/summer with this one while reducing the damage caused by the sun.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, amino acid blend, enzymes, ceramides
Skin Type: All, especially combination and oily
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Oil-free, vegan, cruelty-free
9. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Remedy Moisturizer
This one is perfect for amping up the water content on oily skin without causing congestion or breakouts. The oil-free cream is like a hydrator. It simply hydrates without adding extra oil to the skin and is perfect for oil-free lovers with an oily and acne-prone complexion.
It has salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is gold when it comes to keeping acne, pores, and oiliness in check. The gel cream adds water to the skin, soothes it with anti-inflammatory botanicals, and leaves the complexion matte. It’s an overall amazing option and a great addition to a quenching skincare routine without clogging pores.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Vegan, cruelty-free, contains fragrance
10. Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
This moisturizer is perfect for getting rid of flaky skin. Because it addresses the root cause of dehydration. With the help of sodium hyaluronate, it boosts the skin’s hydration levels. To keep it stay hydrated, it has nourishing emollients like jojoba, shea butter, and squalene.
The creamy texture prevents moisture loss by supporting the skin with skin-restoring peptides. This one forms a protective layer on the face, making it one of the best moisturizers for dry and combination skin that’s prone to dehydration.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe, ceramides, peptides
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, non-comedogenic
11. Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer
This long-lasting moisturizer is fragrance-free, which makes it perfect for overnight use. Plus, it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so you can use it as a hydrating sleep mask to wake up to a fresh-looking face without clogging your pores.
It has a watery texture with a dewy finish and it can be used as a makeup primer too. Plus, it absorbs super easily. With hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich green tea, and aloe, it hydrates and calms the skin.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz
Notes: Fragrance-free, oil-free
12. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
This one is a little box of antioxidants to help your skin bounce back from free radical damage. The gel-like texture has a cooling and refreshing feel to it.
The Korean cream helps the skin lock moisture in for long-lasting hydration with the help of skin-restoring botanical extracts. Additionally, it’s packed with ceramides and enriched with shea butter to soften the skin.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, calendula extract, lady’s mantle, raspberry extract, vitamin B5, squalane
Skin Type: All, especially oily and combination
Size: 1.68 oz
Notes: Dermatologically tested, fragrance-free, vaguely scented
13. Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
This is an amazing drugstore moisturizer to slather on parched skin. It’s a super lightweight gel cream and is one of the best moisturizers for dehydrated skin with additional anti-aging benefits.
It hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid, and aloe, and plumps it up to reduce the visibility of fine lines. Infused with green tea, the cream provides the skin with a daily dose of antioxidants to keep it looking luminous, juicy, and bouncy. Plus, it’s super affordable.
Key Ingredients: Green tea, aloe, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 2 oz
Notes: Vegan, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic
14. First Aid Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
This rich moisturizer is one of the best moisturizers for dehydrated and sensitive skin. It’s even recommended for people with issues like eczema and rosacea, and with good reason! The moisturizing effects of shea butter and squalane soften, smooth, and protect the skin during colder months.
But the best part is that it has amazing antioxidants that calm the skin and reduce redness. Oatmeal, allantoin, licorice, and feverfew are formulated into the cream to soothe stressed and irritated skin.
Key Ingredients: Oatmeal, allantoin, green tea, licorice extract
Skin Type: All, especially sensitive skin
Size: 6 oz
Notes: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free
15. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
One of the best moisturizers for dry and dehydrated skin is Ceramidin by Dr. Jart. The cream is highly concentrated and it instantly revitalizes dull and dry skin. It has hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and shea butter to boost hydration and seal moisture in.
Plus, it has several botanical extracts to replenish and calm irritated skin. It has a matte finish and a botanical smell. You can also use it as a primer to help your foundation glide easily in cold weather.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All, especially dry skin
Size: 1.69 oz
Notes: Scented
So these are some of the moisturizers you can try for dehydrated skin. We think that overall, Clinique is the best one to try because it contains several humectants and it’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and oil-free. It’s also great for all skin types including sensitive skin. And it comes in different sizes which makes it suitable for every budget too. A great alternative is Lancome Hydra Zen Liquid Moisturizer because it’s basically a hydrator suitable for all skin types.
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