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Skin concern

Dehydrated skin

Primary source

Dehydrated skin: skin with low water content in the surface layers, distinct from dry skin. It shows as tightness, fine lines and dullness, and is driven by a disrupted barrier and transepidermal water loss. The strongest evidence comes from a 2020 human trial: In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study of 51 healthy volunteers with dry skin, an emollient containing glycerol and petrolatum raised corneometry-measured skin moisture significantly above its vehicle (P < 0.0001) over 12 hours. The authors attributed the hydration gain to the glycerol component and the lower water loss to the petrolatum component. 3 ingredients have evidence for Dehydrated skin: Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate.

Two of the three studies enrolled sensitive or dry-sensitive subjects and one selected people by low stratum-corneum water content. The dry-skin and peeling pages share the underlying barrier evidence.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Barrier disruption plays a key role in several skin conditions, and moisturization is recommended as an initial treatment in conditions such as atopic dermatitis.” — Rajkumar et al., Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2023 (PMID 37717558).

The Skin Barrier and Moisturization: Function, Disruption, and Mechanisms of Repair Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (Rajkumar J)

Ingredients at a glance

2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · PMID 31532576

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Glycerin Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2020
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2024
Glycerin Skin effect Review article Moderate 2008
Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2011
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2025
— Skin effect Human trial Low 2026

Studies and results

  1. 1 Glycerin Skin effect
    Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin

    In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study of 51 healthy volunteers with dry skin, an emollient containing glycerol and petrolatum raised corneometry-measured skin moisture significantly above its vehicle (P < 0.0001) over 12 hours. The authors attributed the hydration gain to the glycerol component and the lower water loss to the petrolatum component.

    Human trial · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · Corneometry (skin moisture) and transepidermal water loss over 12 hours after one application. · Measured on the forearms. The significant hydration result comes from the full emollient containing both glycerol and petrolatum.

    PMID 31532576

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin
  2. 2 Glycerin Skin effect
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions

    Topical glycerol improves stratum corneum hydration, barrier function and skin mechanical properties. The review also reports reduced irritation response and faster wound healing, and traces the effect to aquaporin-3 transport and to glycerol's own presence in the skin.

    Review article · 2008 · Humans in the cited studies, plus animal and in-vitro work on mechanism · Leave-on products. The review discusses both healthy skin and skin with dry or barrier-impaired conditions such as atopic dermatitis. · A narrative review. It compiles mechanisms and results from other studies.

    PMID 18510666

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
  3. 3 Hyaluronic acid Sodium hyaluronate Skin effect
    Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment

    All five 0.1% hyaluronic acid creams tested, from 50 kDa to 2000 kDa, raised skin hydration and overall elasticity above the vehicle cream applied to the other eye at 60 days.

    Human trial · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · 0.1% hyaluronic acid creams applied twice daily for 60 days to the eye area of women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles. · Sixty days, and the vehicle sat on the fellow eye. Hydration and elasticity were read by instruments. The volunteers were women aged 30-60 with eye-area wrinkles.

    PMID 22052267

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Glycerin Human trial · 2020

    Measured on the forearms. The significant hydration result comes from the full emollient containing both glycerol and petrolatum.

  • ev-dehydrated-trehalose-sulfate-rct Human trial · 2024

    Small sample (13 per group); part of the paper reports in-vitro 3D epidermal model work, which is separate from the human trial; company-affiliated research.

  • Glycerin Review article · 2008

    A narrative review. It compiles mechanisms and results from other studies.

  • Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate Human trial · 2011

    Sixty days, and the vehicle sat on the fellow eye. Hydration and elasticity were read by instruments. The volunteers were women aged 30-60 with eye-area wrinkles.

  • ev-peeling-pseudoceramide-scaling-rct Human trial · 2025

    Single-blind; the comparator is a commercial spray.

  • ev-dehydrated-fermented-tea-seed-rct Human trial · 2026

    Skin microbiome diversity showed similar change; the study has a company background.

Products with a basis for this

64 products · 3-Ceramide + Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream · Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · PMID 31532576

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate

    In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 26 women selected for low stratum corneum water content, applying a lotion and emulsion containing 0.05% sodium trehalose sulfate to the face for 4 weeks decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content versus the active-free placebo.

    Human trial · 2024 · 26 people · Japanese women aged 33-59 with low stratum corneum water content, high water evaporation and low surface lipids · Facial TEWL and stratum corneum water content over 4 weeks. · Small sample (13 per group); part of the paper reports in-vitro 3D epidermal model work, which is separate from the human trial; company-affiliated research.

    PMID 38606717

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
  2. 2 Skin effect
    Efficacy of Pseudo-Ceramide Absorption Into the Stratum Corneum and Effects on Transepidermal Water Loss and the Ceramide Profile: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    In a randomized, single-blind controlled trial of 54 Japanese women with dry, sensitive facial skin, 4 weeks of a pseudo-ceramide-containing facial spray improved scaling score, stratum corneum water content, TEWL and corneocyte area, while a commercially available spray.

    Human trial · 2025 · 54 people · Japanese women aged 20-49 with self-perceived dry sensitive skin and cheek TEWL >10 g/m2 per hour · Facial scaling score, stratum corneum water content and TEWL over 4 weeks. · Single-blind; the comparator is a commercial spray.

    PMID 39492723

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of Pseudo-Ceramide Absorption Into the Stratum Corneum and Effects on Transepidermal Water Loss and the Ceramide Profile: A Randomized Controlled Trial
  3. 3 Skin effect
    Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin

    In a double-blind, randomized, half-face controlled trial of 25 Chinese women with sensitive skin, a moisturizer containing 5% fermented tea seed oil significantly improved facial skin hydration versus a base moisturizer over 4 weeks, alongside reductions in redness and facial wrinkles.

    Human trial · 2026 · 25 people · young Chinese women with sensitive skin · Facial skin hydration, redness and wrinkles over 4 weeks. · Skin microbiome diversity showed similar change; the study has a company background.

    PMID 41319188

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Dehydrated skin?
Ingredients with evidence for Dehydrated skin: Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate.
How many people were studied?
6 findings · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · PMID 31532576
What can I use for Dehydrated skin?
Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · PMID 31532576
Can I use these every day for Dehydrated skin?
0.1% hyaluronic acid creams applied twice daily for 60 days to the eye area of women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles（2011 · 76 participants · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines