Dehydration Is the Root Cause of Most Skincare Problems—15 Serums That Help

There are a few different ways your skin could be dehydrated, and they can cause some real damage to your moisture barrier, something that Rouleau also says is the main cause of most skincare issues: “In my 30-plus years of experience, I have seen that pretty much every skin concern can be traced back to (or exacerbated by) a damaged moisture barrier. There are so many conditions that indicate a damaged barrier—redness, dryness, irritation, increased breakouts… The list goes on. The moisture barrier acts as your skin’s personal bodyguard, keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. When it’s compromised, small cracks appear, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to enter, leading to all of these issues!” 

If you’re noticing any of these issues and your skin has become increasingly dry, Rouleau has a few extra tips. “Use a moisturizer that mimics the skin’s barrier structure with ingredients like ceramides, phospholipids, shea butter, and plant oils such as jojoba,” she says. “You can also use an essence to help reintroduce hydration into the skin.” Another great way to boost hydration in the skin is by adding a deeply hydrating serum to your routine so that your skin can begin to repair itself and get the nutrients it needs. For a rec from Rouleau along with my own favorites, keep scrolling.