Hyaluronic acid or glycerin for dehydrated skin?

What is the difference?

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants, meaning ingredients that attract and bind water. Both address hydration in the stratum corneum, the outermost skin layer. That layer also acts as a barrier: when its structure or composition is disrupted, skin can lose water more easily. Adding water and keeping water in are related jobs, but they are not the same job.13

Which should you choose?

A glycerin moisturizer is a reasonable choice if you want water binding hydration with support for the arrangement of the skin's barrier fats. Hyaluronic acid is also a useful hydration ingredient. If your current moisturizer keeps your skin comfortable, there is no need to replace it simply to change humectants. Choose the moisturizer by its whole formula, not by which ingredient got the largest lettering on the front.12

Look for humectants alongside emollients, which soften and smooth skin, and occlusives, which reduce water evaporation. Examples of occlusives include dimethicone and petrolatum. A gel or lotion can suit facial skin with mild dryness; a cream or ointment is more useful for very dry skin. The finished formula matters more than the ingredient name alone.245

Compare the ingredients and the texture you will actually use, rather than treating the price as a performance score.2

How should you apply your moisturizer?

1. 1Wash gently with warm rather than hot water and a gentle cleanser. Avoid scrubbing skin dry.
2. 2Pat dry while leaving skin slightly damp. Apply your moisturizer immediately after washing, ideally within three minutes after a bath or shower.
3. 3Massage the moisturizer gently into the areas that feel dry.
4. 4Reapply when skin feels dry. If you use a prescription cream, follow your prescriber's instructions about application order.

Frequency depends on how dry your skin is, not on whether you chose glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Mild dryness can need only a light moisturizer at night; more substantial dryness can need repeated applications. Moisturizer benefits are greatest during the first six hours after application, so regular use matters more than expecting one application to last indefinitely.5

What if your skin is sensitive or still feels dry?

Choose a fragrance free moisturizer if your skin is dry or sensitive. "Unscented" is not equivalent: products can contain ingredients that mask smells and irritate sensitive skin. Introduce only one new product at a time so a reaction is easier to trace. If you are prone to acne, heavy occlusive products can aggravate breakouts.34

Stop using a moisturizer if it causes a dermatitis rash. Tell a dermatologist if skincare repeatedly causes burning, stinging or irritation, or if dryness persists despite consistent moisturizing. Switching between glycerin and hyaluronic acid is not a substitute for checking persistent symptoms.45