And we know you're going to love The Science of Beauty , a series on Allure. com that goes deep into the how and why behind your favorite products. For even more nerdiness, check out The Science of Beauty podcast , produced by our editors. Michelle and Jenny tapped dermatologist Claire Chang to share why hydration is the key to plump skin and the best ingredients to achieve it.

Both dry and dehydrated skin have some treatments in common — however, you may be neglecting some of the more obvious ones if your complexion is on the oily side.

If you're not positive whether you're dealing with dry or dehydrated skin, the good news is that the topical treatments for both are essentially the same.

These six steps should help you see improvement in how your skin looks and feels either way. Dry and dehydrated skin can be soothed in a number of ways, but making sure you're finishing off your day and nighttime skin-care routines with a moisturizer rich in emollients, humectants, and ceramides is the most obvious.

For those unfamiliar with the latter ingredient, ceramides are lipids aka fat molecules that "help the skin retain moisture and allow [for] proper function," New York City-based dermatologist Sejal Shah previously told Allure. When your skin lacks them, dryness and irritation occur.

But a great moisturizer will replenish your skin's ceramide levels and hydrate it in the process. Our picks, in this case, include Murad's Intense Recovery Cream and the Dr. Placing a humidifier on your desk, nightstand, or end table is always a good idea, too.

It will increase the air humidity, so the air in your home doesn't suck the moisture out of your skin, according to Chang. Allure editors love the Best of Beauty-winning Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier if you need a suggestion.

Exfoliating is also key for both dry and dehydrated skin, alike. Dead skin cells may be built up on the surface of your face, keeping it from properly absorbing products, particularly moisturizer, says Francesca Fusco , an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

She recommends exfoliating at least once a week to help slough away that build-up and allow your skin-care routine to work more efficiently. If your skin tends to be sensitive, reach for a chemical exfoliator formulated with alpha hydroxy acids AHAs , like glycolic acid. Those with super oily skin, though, should go the physical exfoliation route to more effectively remove sebum buildup.

Henry recommends looking for a formula with salicylic acid a type of beta hydroxy acid, or BHA on its ingredient list, which "gently speeds up skin turnover and better penetrates oil and oily follicles. The Bioré Brightening Exfoliating Scrub and Bliss Well Yes! Healthy Glow Multivitamin Scrub are our favorites lately.

Courtesy of brand. Before moisturizing and after exfoliating, consider adding a serum to your skin-care lineup, Radusky suggests. They are two different layers of moisture that are mutually exclusive.

By Marci Robin. By Allure Editors. By Dory Zayas. Radusky recommends finding a serum packed with hyaluronic acid , which helps water bind to the collagen in your skin.

The Best of Beauty-winning AHC Aqualuronic Serum is always a great option. Serums spiked with peptides, particularly ones sourced from avocados, are also suitable for treating dry and dehydrated skin, Radusky says. They'll boost your skin's natural ability to produce its very own hyaluronic acid.

Try the Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum. You'll wake up with a more nourished complexion. Yup, that's right — Vaseline is actually good for your face. It helps your skin seal in all the moisture from the serum and creams you topped it with and lock in hydration, according to Joshua Zeichner , the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Temperature and humidity changes can affect the way your skin looks and behaves, says Radusky. Low humidity, hot showers, and central heat also contribute to skin dehydration.

Either way, a moisture-packed skin-care routine will save you from winter's wrath. These ingredients are humectants, meaning they help draw moisture into your skin.

Here are three of our favorite ways to incorporate hydrating products into your skin care routine to improve dehydrated skin. Kicking off your morning skin care routine with a hydrating cleanser is one of the best treatments for dehydrated skin, like SkinMedica Facial Cleanser.

This foaming gel cleanser lathers up to remove makeup, dirt and acne-causing bacteria and also helps bind moisture into your skin with hydrating ingredients, such as vitamin B5 and glycerin. It also contains green tea extract, which is packed with antioxidants to defend against free radical damage that can result in premature signs of aging.

Persian silk tree extract also helps some of the telltale signs of fatigue that come along with dehydration, leaving you with more radiant-looking skin. If your skin is still craving an additional boost of moisture, one of the best treatments for dehydrated skin is a face mask that you can apply once or twice weekly as needed.

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque with Hyaluronic Acid is formulated to provide skin hydration using hyaluronic acid and natural exfoliation to brighten dull skin with salicylic acid.

Bonus: Because this face mask also contains shea butter and grape seed oil, two moisturizing ingredients that help combat dryness, it is an excellent choice for skin that is both dry and dehydrated. Here are three of our favorite ways to help remedy dry skin.

with some easy additions to your skin care routine. After cleansing, applying a lightweight moisturizer packed with potent emollient ingredients is one of the best treatments you can use at home for dry skin.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Anti-Aging Cream is a holy grail product for those struggling with dry skin. Bonus: This face cream works well to combat both dryness and dehydration as it also contains glycerin, a potent hydrating ingredient.

Adding a facial oil to your skin care routine can help guard against moisture loss and replenish the natural oils that your skin is lacking. Glo Skin Beauty Phyto Active Conditioning Oil Drops contains squalane, which is one of the best ingredients to use for dry skin. Jojoba seed oil and argan oil round out this nourishing formula, which can be used solo or mixed into your favorite face mask or foundation for a moisturizing boost.

Schlessinger and his son, Dr. A smaller version for lips is also available in unflavored and vanilla versions. A few that Lekus loves? Lekus also suggests trying sheet masks as a quick, easy way to infuse a mega dose of moisture.

You can also try adding a drop or two of oil into your regular moisturizer for a boost. Pro tip: If you suspect your skin is drying up overnight, wear an overnight hydrating mask. Hellman suggests moisturizing with creams and lotions containing AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid to encourage hydration and cell turnover.

Hellman advises to steer clear of anything with perfumes or parfum, as it would be listed on the ingredients. Will internal hydration really make a difference in the behavior of your skin? She does recommend that people stay hydrated with a proper amount of water , however. Lekus, on the other hand, wholeheartedly believes in the power of drinking water to benefit dry skin.

What about fringe-y beauty treatments like hydration shots and IV drips? Lekus agrees. Laura Barcella is an author and freelance writer currently based in Brooklyn. com, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, The Week, VanityFair.

com, and many more. How can you treat dry skin from the comfort of your home? Hyaluronic acid may be the answer to wrinkle-free skin but not all varieties are equal. Here's what you need to know about this magic ingredient. Is dishing out dollars on eye creams worth it? We ask experts what works and what doesn't for pesky wrinkles, dark circles, and bags around our eyes.

Face acids are the key to clear, youthful skin — but how do you know which one to use?