Dry Skin

Dry and dehydrated get used interchangeably, and they are different problems with different fixes. Dry skin lacks oil — it flakes, feels rough, and tends to run in families. Dehydrated skin lacks water — it feels tight, looks dull, and happens to oily skin just as readily.

Most people reaching for a richer cream actually have the second, and oil does not fix a water problem. What you need is a humectant to pull water in — hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, glycerin — and then something occlusive on top to stop it leaving again.

That order matters more than any single product in it. Apply to damp skin, seal within a minute, and do not skip the seal in winter. If your skin also stings or reacts, see Ceramides first.