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.
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| Ingredient | Evidence | Studied at | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urea | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 10%, 20% | Low concern |
| Glycerol | 📄 Literature evidence | Studied only mixed with other actives | Low concern |
| White Petrolatum | 📄 Literature evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Dexpanthenol | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 5% | Low concern |
| Hyaluronan 130 kDa | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 0.1% | Low concern |
- UreaLow concern
Studied at 10%, 20%
- Reference: Grether-Beck et al., 2012
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 636 products
- GlycerolLow concern
Glycerin
Studied only mixed with other actives
- Reference: Danby et al., 2022
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 30,056 products
- White PetrolatumLow concern
Petrolatum
Study dose: not found yet
Moisturizing mainly through suppressing evaporative loss. The mechanism differs from water-binding agents.
- Reference: Ghadially et al., 1992
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 345 products
- DexpanthenolLow concern
Studied at 5%
- Reference: Proksch and Nissen, 2002
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 127 products
- Hyaluronan 130 kDaLow concern
Studied at 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturizing superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 2000 kDaLow concern
Studied at 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturizing superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 300 kDaLow concern
Studied at 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturizing superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 50 kDaLow concern
Studied at 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturizing superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- Hyaluronan 800 kDaLow concern
Studied at 0.1%
Hydration improved in a 0.1% controlled study at the stated MW. There is no established ranking of moisturizing superiority among the five MWs, so they are tied.
- Reference: Pavicic et al., 2011
Not in our product list yet
- EctoineLow concern
Ectoin
Studied at 7%
Supplementary moisturizing and barrier assessment based on a 7% atopy study of a combination vehicle formulation.
- Reference: Marini et al., 2014
- Reference: Bitop AG, 2010
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 847 products
- Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateLow concern
Studied at 0.2%, 0.1%
- Reference: Meunier et al., 2022
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3,685 products
- Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG)Low concern
Oxidized Glutathione
Studied at 2%
- Reference: Watanabe et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1 product
- Sodium HyaluronateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 16,529 products
- Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3,913 products
- Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane)Low concern
Dimethicone
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Hoggarth et al., 2005
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 7,432 products
- Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 6,753 products
- PanthenolLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Gehring and Gloor, 2000
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 12,235 products
- OligohyaluronanLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Not in our product list yet
- XylitolLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Korponyai et al., 2017
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,662 products
- β-(1→3)/(1→6)-D-GlucanLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Du et al., 2014
- Reference: Majtan and Jesenak, 2018
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- β-(1→3)/(1→4)-D-GlucanLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Kurtz and Wallo, 2007
- Reference: Du et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- BetaineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Maresca et al., 2025
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 7,087 products
- HydroxyectoineLow concern
Hydroxyectoin
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Maresca et al., 2025
- Reference: Czech et al., 2018
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 10 products
- Sodium lactateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Marty, 2002
- Reference: Kang et al., 2022
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 774 products
- Sodium PCALow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Clar and Fourtanier, 1981
- Reference: Marty, 2002
- Reference: Kang et al., 2022
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,223 products
- SorbitolLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Muizzuddin et al., 2013
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 1,479 products
- SqualaneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Kim and Karadeniz, 2012
- Reference: Sethi et al., 2016
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 5,076 products
- TrehaloseLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Maresca et al., 2025
- Reference: Ohtake and Wang, 2011
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3,476 products
– = no pregnancy research data 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.
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A free quiz picks products for your concerns and leaves out ingredients you tell it to avoid. Answer 5 questions, skip the rest.