How to pick the right night cream for dehydrated skin

Next time you look in the mirror, check your skin out. Is it dry? Is it dehydrated? Do you know dry and dehydrated do not mean the same things? If you’re looking for a night cream for dehydrated skin, just make sure it’s going to do the right thing.

According to skincare guru Renee Rouleau, in an interview with Birchbox, it is possible to have dry skin and dehydrated skin. The main difference is that dry skin can be treated topically, dehydrated skin can be improved from the inside out.

“Dry means your skin is not producing oil, explains Rouleau. Signs include small pores, rough patches, flakiness, wrinkles, and inflammation. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, signifies water deficiency. If your skin feels tight and you notice fine lines, chances are lack of water, not oil, is the culprit. In fact, says Rouleau, “dehydrated skin is common among those with oily and acne-prone skin who use harsh products that strip the skin of water.”

So getting a night cream for dehydrated skin isn’t the same as a night cream for dry skin. “Moisturizers add oil back to the skin—great for combating dryness—while hydrating adds water—what to look for if your skin is dehydrated.”

Rouleau explains the key ingredients that help get our skin back to normal “Three types of ingredients play key roles in healing dry and dehydrated skin: humectants, occlusives, and emollients—the combination and concentration of which determines a product’s performance. Humectants help skin retain water and plump it up from the inside, while occlusives form a barrier that prevent water from being lost (warning: That pore-blocking barrier can lead to breakouts). Emollients, which often have some occlusive elements, are moisturizing agents that smooth and soften, but don’t penetrate as deeply as humectants.”

“For dehydrated skin, look for humectants like sodium PCA, glycerin, heavy water, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. Rubin describes the latter, a naturally occurring molecule that holds 6,000 times its molecular weight in water, as “an intra-cellular glue to hold water in place.”’

We love Dr. Spiller Alpenrausch Organic Concentrated Care Cream, Guinot Hydrazone – Moisturizing Cream Dehydrated Skin and Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Cream-Gel.