Skincare ingredients for dry, dehydrated skin
Our research data links 28 ingredients to dry, dehydrated skin. Strongest evidence comes first, each with the studies behind it.
A research list, not medical advice. If a skin condition worries you, see a dermatologist.
Which ingredients have the most evidence for dry, dehydrated skin?
In our data, the strongest evidence for dry, dehydrated skin is behind Urea, Glycerol, and White Petrolatum.
- UreaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 10%, 20%; combination moisturiser 2%
- Reference: Grether-Beck et al., 2012
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 161 products
- GlycerolLow hazard
Glycerin
Studied at combination clinical 20%; general stand-alone range N/A
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Listed in 6,109 products
- White PetrolatumLow hazard
Petrolatum
Studied at pure base tested; universal range N/A
Moisturising mainly through suppressing evaporative loss. The mechanism differs from water-binding agents.
- Reference: Ghadially et al., 1992
Listed in 118 products
- DexpanthenolLow hazard
Studied at clinical 5%
- Reference: Proksch and Nissen, 2002
Listed in 30 products
- Hyaluronan 130 kDaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturising superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 2000 kDaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturising superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 300 kDaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturising superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 50 kDaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturising superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 800 kDaLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturising superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- EctoineLow hazard
Ectoin
Studied at clinical 7% cream
Supplementary moisturising and barrier assessment based on a 7% atopy study of a combination vehicle formulation.
- Reference: Marini et al., 2014
- Reference: Bitop AG
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 211 products
- Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateLow hazard
Studied at clinical 0.2% for 6 hours; 0.1% for 1-2 months
- Reference: Meunier et al., 2022
- Reference: CIR
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 742 products
- Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG)Low hazard
Oxidized Glutathione
Studied at clinical 2% w/w
- Reference: Watanabe et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 1 product
- Sodium lactateLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 315 products
- Sodium PCALow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 376 products
- BetaineLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 1,172 products
- Sodium HyaluronateLow hazard
Studied at N/A; raw material with unstated molecular weight
- Reference: CIR
Listed in 3,737 products
- Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerLow hazard
Studied at N/A
- Reference: CIR
Listed in 796 products
- Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane)Low hazard
Dimethicone
Studied at N/A
Listed in 1,508 products
- SqualaneLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 1,450 products
- Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateLow hazard
Studied at N/A
- Reference: CIR
Listed in 1,455 products
- SorbitolLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 272 products
- TrehaloseLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 633 products
- XylitolLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 362 products
- β-(1→3)/(1→4)-D-GlucanLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Not in our product list yet
- PanthenolLow hazard
Studied at N/A; kept apart from the D-form 5% study
Listed in 2,359 products
- OligohyaluronanLow hazard
Studied at N/A
- Reference: CIR
Not in our product list yet
- HydroxyectoineLow hazard
Hydroxyectoin
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 5 products
- β-(1→3)/(1→6)-D-GlucanLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Not in our product list yet
Which ingredients for dry, dehydrated skin are advised against in pregnancy?
None of the 28 ingredients here carries an 'advised to avoid' verdict for pregnancy in our data.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
Get a routine for your skin
A free 2-minute quiz picks products for your concerns and leaves out ingredients you want to avoid.
Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.
Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.