How The Ordinary Fixed My Dry Dehydrated Skin Problem
For years, I struggled with skin that felt tight, looked dull, and seemed to drink up moisturizer without ever feeling satisfied. I tried expensive creams, overnight masks, and every « miracle » product influencers swore by. Nothing worked long-term.
Then I discovered The Ordinary, and everything changed. But here’s the thing, it wasn’t just about buying products. It was about understanding what my skin actually needed. Let me share how The Ordinary transformed my chronically dry, dehydrated skin into something I’m actually confident showing without makeup.
My Dry Skin Nightmare
My skin was a mess. Every morning I’d wake up with tight, flaky patches around my nose and forehead. By midday, my foundation would look cakey and settle into fine lines I didn’t even know I had. Drinking more water didn’t help. Slathering on thick creams just made me greasy without actually fixing the problem.
I was so frustrated. I spent hundreds of dollars on luxury skincare that promised « intense hydration » but delivered nothing. My skin barrier was damaged, my complexion looked dull and aged, and I felt like I’d tried everything.
Then I stumbled across The Ordinary while doom-scrolling through skincare Reddit at 2 AM. The prices seemed too good to be true. How could a $7 serum work when my $80 cream didn’t? But I was desperate, so I ordered a few products.
That decision changed my skin forever.
Understanding Dry vs Dehydrated Skin (This Was My Breakthrough)
Here’s what I learned that changed everything. Dry skin and dehydrated skin are NOT the same thing.
Dry skin lacks oil. It’s a skin type you’re born with. Your skin doesn’t produce enough sebum, so it feels rough and flaky.
Dehydrated skin lacks water. It’s a skin condition anyone can develop, even people with oily skin. Your skin can’t retain moisture properly, so it feels tight and looks dull.
Plot twist: I had BOTH. My skin was naturally dry AND dehydrated from using harsh products and not protecting my moisture barrier.
Once I understood this, I could finally address both issues properly. The Ordinary had products for both problems, and they cost less than one of my fancy moisturizers.
The Products That Saved My Skin
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (The Game Changer)
Price: Around $7
This was the first product I tried, and I saw results within 48 hours. Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1000 times its weight in water. It’s like giving your skin a giant drink.
How I use it: On damp skin immediately after cleansing, morning and night. The key is applying it to WET skin so it has water to bind to. This one trick made all the difference.
Results: My skin felt plump and soft instead of tight and papery. Fine lines from dehydration literally disappeared within a week.
Marine Hyaluronics (The Hydration Booster)
Price: Around $8
This is like Hyaluronic Acid’s gentler cousin. It contains marine-derived hyaluronic acid plus amino acids and minerals that support skin hydration.
How I use it: I layer this under my Hyaluronic Acid serum for extra hydration. It has a watery texture that sinks in instantly.
Results: Added an extra layer of moisture without any heaviness. My skin stayed hydrated for hours longer.
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (The Holy Grail Moisturizer)
Price: Around $8
This contains 11 amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, ceramides, and more. Basically, everything that naturally occurs in your skin to keep it moisturized.
How I use it: After serums, morning and night. I apply it to damp skin and sometimes add a second layer if I’m extra dry.
Results: This moisturizer actually WORKED. It didn’t just sit on top of my skin, it actually made my skin feel nourished from within. No more flaking by noon.
100% Plant-Derived Squalane (The Moisture Sealer)
Price: Around $8
Squalane mimics your skin’s natural oils. It’s lightweight but incredibly moisturizing, and it helps lock everything else in.
How I use it: As the last step in my evening routine, I mix 2-3 drops with my moisturizer or pat it on top. Sometimes I use it alone during the day for a natural glow.
Results: This sealed in all my hydrating serums and prevented moisture loss overnight. I woke up with soft, glowing skin instead of that tight, uncomfortable feeling.
Amino Acids + B5 (The Repair Serum)
Price: Around $7
This repairs and strengthens your moisture barrier with a blend of amino acids and vitamin B5.
How I use it: Under my moisturizer, especially when my skin is feeling extra stressed or damaged.
Results: Helped repair my damaged moisture barrier so my skin could actually hold onto hydration instead of losing it immediately.
My Complete Routine (The Formula That Fixed Everything)
Morning Routine
- Splash face with lukewarm water (no cleanser in the AM to preserve oils)
- Marine Hyaluronics on damp skin
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 while skin is still damp
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- SPF 50+ (sun damage dehydrates skin)
Time investment: 5 minutes Cost: Under $30 for all products
Evening Routine
- Squalane Cleanser (removes makeup/SPF without stripping)
- Marine Hyaluronics on damp skin
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 on damp skin
- Amino Acids + B5
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA on damp skin
- 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (2-3 drops mixed in or on top)
Time investment: 7 minutes Cost: Under $50 for all products
Weekly Treatment
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution once a week to remove dead, flaky skin cells and allow better product absorption. Always follow with extra hydration.
The Results That Shocked Me
Week 1: Skin felt softer and less tight. Flaking reduced by 50%.
Week 2: Makeup applied smoothly for the first time in years. Skin looked healthier and more radiant.
Week 4: Fine lines from dehydration completely gone. Skin felt plump and bouncy. No more midday tightness.
Week 8: Moisture barrier fully repaired. Skin could hold hydration all day. Complexion looked 5 years younger.
3 Months Later: Consistently soft, hydrated, glowing skin. People started asking what I was using. My skin actually felt comfortable in my face.
Total spent: Less than $60. Compare that to the hundreds I wasted before.
Critical Lessons I Learned
Always Apply Hyaluronic Acid to Damp Skin
This was HUGE. Hyaluronic acid needs water to work. If you apply it to dry skin, it can actually pull moisture from deeper skin layers, making dehydration worse. Spray your face with water or apply immediately after cleansing.
Layer Thin to Thick
Start with watery serums, then thicker serums, then moisturizer, then oils. This ensures everything absorbs properly.
Don’t Over-Cleanse
I was washing my face twice a day with harsh cleansers, stripping away my natural oils. Now I only cleanse at night and just rinse with water in the morning. Game changer.
Seal Everything In
All the hydrating serums in the world won’t help if you don’t seal them in with a moisturizer and/or oil. The final step is just as important as the first.
Avoid These Ingredients (They Made My Dryness Worse)
- Alcohol denat (very drying)
- Harsh sulfates (strip natural oils)
- Strong fragrances (irritate and damage barrier)
The Ordinary products are fragrance-free and alcohol-free, which helped my skin heal.
Humidity Matters
In dry climates or winter, I add an extra layer of squalane. In humid weather, I skip it. Listen to your skin.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Mistake 1: Not applying products to damp skin. This reduces effectiveness by 50%.
Mistake 2: Using too many actives. When my skin was damaged, I needed hydration and repair, not exfoliation and acids.
Mistake 3: Skipping SPF. Sun damage destroys your moisture barrier and causes dehydration.
Mistake 4: Expecting overnight results. It took 4-6 weeks to fully repair my moisture barrier.
Mistake 5: Not drinking enough water. Topical hydration works better when you’re hydrated internally too.
Additional Products That Helped
Buffet (Peptide Serum): Added this for anti-aging benefits. Works beautifully with hydrating products.
B Oil: When I need intense overnight moisture, I mix this with squalane for next-level hydration.
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser: Gentle cream cleanser for evenings when I need something more than Squalane Cleanser.
For Different Levels of Dryness
Mild Dryness (occasional tightness):
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- SPF
Moderate Dryness (constant tightness, some flaking):
- Marine Hyaluronics
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Amino Acids + B5
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- Squalane (evening)
- SPF
Severe Dryness (painful tightness, lots of flaking, damaged barrier):
- Marine Hyaluronics
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Amino Acids + B5
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (double layer)
- Squalane (AM and PM)
- B Oil (evening)
- SPF
The Bottom Line
The Ordinary didn’t just fix my dry, dehydrated skin. It completely transformed how I think about skincare. I learned that expensive doesn’t mean effective, and that understanding your skin’s actual needs is more important than following trends.
My skin went from painful and embarrassing to soft, glowing, and healthy. I spend less than $60 every few months instead of hundreds every month. I wake up comfortable in my skin instead of dreading looking in the mirror.
If you’re struggling with dry, dehydrated skin like I was, start with Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Apply them to damp skin, be consistent, and give your moisture barrier time to heal.
Your skin can be transformed too. It just needs the right ingredients, the right technique, and a little patience.
Have you struggled with dry, dehydrated skin? What worked for you? Share your journey in the comments below. Remember, if your dryness is severe or doesn’t improve with proper hydration, consult a dermatologist to rule out underlying conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
