I think that the three things that made the biggest difference in my dehydrated skin was: 1) the way i washed my face. I used to wash with a foaming cleanser in the AM and PM. I started just washing with water in the AM and using a cream cleanser (La Roche Posay Toleraine Hydrating cleanser) in the PM. I don't wear makeup so this is more than enough to cleanse at night. 2) Using moisturizers with ceramides and squalene. In the AM I started using the Ordinary's natural moisturizing factors (ceramides) and in the PM I started using oilatum natural repair (squalene). This second one is actually discontinued now (so sad) so I'm in the process of testing replacements: Avene's cold cream and Ren's emollient rescue cream (this one is expensive but so good) are both excellent contenders at the moment, testing them out with great results now. 3) Hyaluronic acid. I started layer the Ordinary's HA serum over a mist of water and under my moisturizer AM and PM and it made a noticeable difference in my skin's plumpness and just general health.

Niacinamide • Reduces fine lines, boosts collagen production • Improves skin barrier function and moisturization (boosts ceramide production, reduces tewl) • Anti inflammatory, can reduce redness • Acts as an antioxidant, provides photo protection • Inhibits proten glycation (treats skin sallowness, imparts a brightening effect) • Melanin inhibitor, reduces hyperpigmentation • Is great to use with tretinoin! It can prevent irritation • Is generally well-tolerated and safe to use for the eye area

Besides rosehip seed oil that’s already been mentioned (and an anti-aging powerhouse if we’re talking oils), I’m also fascinated with tamanu oil. In cold-pressed non-processed form it is cloudy green and has an earthy smell (it takes a while to get used to it, but now I honestly quite enjoy it). It’s very healing and works well on cuts and rashes, it also fights hyper-pigmentation (at least the recent ones from my experience, but I remember Liah Y. on YouTube saying she used it on some old acne hyper-pigmentation with impressive results).