Emulsions to Treat Dehydration in All Skin Types

Tori Douglas

Global Digital

4 min read

Expert Advice

Discover how a face emulsion can treat dry, dehydrated skin.

Rose Emulsion for Dehydrated Skin

We’ve all had those days when our skin just doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. There are more fine lines than usual, it feels tight and irritating, and it just looks dull and lifeless. These skin concerns affect not only our comfort but also the confidence that comes from a healthy, balanced complexion. One common culprit for all these concerns is dehydration, and a great way to address it is with skincare products like emulsions.


An emulsion is a lightweight moisturizing formula that is ideal for all skin types. It's fast-absorbing and deeply penetrative, leaving you with vibrant, smoothed, and hydrated skin. If you want to treat dehydrated skin, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about emulsions and how they can fit into your hydrating skincare routine, regardless of your skin type.

What are the signs of dehydrated skin?

When your skin is dehydrated, you may experience rough, flaky, or itchy skin while seeing more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles. You don’t have to have a dry skin type to experience these skin conditions. In fact, excessive oiliness can also be a sign of dehydration. Oily skin lacks the necessary water, which results in a slower-functioning skin barrier, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells that cause clogged pores.


All these signs of dehydration ultimately lead to one thing: unbalanced skin. Skin can become unbalanced due to several lifestyle stressors, whether it’s spending too much time in the sun, keeping a busy schedule, lack of sleep, or harsh environmental conditions — we’ve all been there. An imbalance in hydration also leaves your skin barrier compromised, making your skin more sensitive to external aggressors. This is where dehydration and irritation occur.


What does balanced, hydrated skin look like?

Understanding the mechanisms of balanced, hydrated skin is key to treating dehydrated skin. Balanced skin means the skin barrier is strong and healthy, and oil-water balance is achieved. Skin appears soft, smooth, and plump.


What are emulsions for skincare?

Dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water. While staying hydrated is important for your skin health, consuming more water is not always enough to address the complexities of proper skin hydration. This is where skincare products, like emulsions, can provide targeted hydration and relief.


An emulsion is a specific type of moisturizer formulation. Unlike other moisturizers, emulsions are comprised of tiny oil droplets evenly spread throughout a water base. Its low viscosity allows the molecules to penetrate dehydrated skin and be absorbed quickly, unlike thicker moisturizers.


All skin types benefit from a proper balance of water and oil. The unique texture of emulsions makes them ideal for all skin types, not just dry skin types. Oily skin needs water without extra weight, which can make emulsions even more suitable for oily skin types than traditional moisturizers.


What does an emulsion do for skin?

Emulsions are designed to restore the delicate oil-water balance that is needed to maintain a strong and healthy skin barrier. Unlike some moisturizers, which can feel thick and heavy, emulsions provide instant and lightweight hydration that penetrates quickly into the skin to treat dehydration.


Emulsions deliver moisture deep into the skin’s layers, helping to reinforce its natural barrier, improving moisture retention, and providing long-lasting hydration from within. Because they’re so lightweight, they’re a perfect addition to a hydration-targeted routine and can be used on their own or to amplify the effects of a moisturizer. The result is smoother, softer-looking, and hydrated skin.


How to apply emulsions in your skincare routine

Emulsions are incredibly versatile, so they can easily be incorporated into your daily skincare routine. And, because they are so lightweight, they won’t feel heavy or greasy on your skin if you use them with other products. Emulsions are typically used in the final steps of a skincare routine as a way to lock in the moisture of your skincare’s ingredients.


  • In the morning: Start your day with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, followed by your preferred essence and serum. After applying these, you can use an emulsion to lock in hydration and create a smooth base for your makeup. Make sure you finish off with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.
  • In the evening: For your evening routine, cleanse and apply your essences or serums, followed by the emulsion of your choice for deep hydration. If you would like more comfort and hydration, you can layer a moisturizer on top to round off your nighttime skincare ritual.

Unlock deep hydration with fresh

If you’re searching for an emulsion to treat dehydrated skin, look no further than fresh's new Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Emulsion. Its fast-absorbing, milky formula is proven to perfectly balance oil-water hydration in all skin types* with a weightless finish.


The Rose Deep Hydrating Balancing Emulsion is powered by Damask rose extract, which is scientifically proven to boost skin’s hyaluronic acid levels, protecting the skin barrier from water loss. The Damask rose has been selected out of 200 rose species for its unique composition and skin benefits.


*normal, dry, oily, combination

Author Profile
blog author tori

Tori Douglas

Global Digital

Written by Tori Douglas for Fresh. Tori is a NYC-based digital and brand strategist. Tori has worked for various publications and brands such as Kiehl's, The Body Shop, Deux Hommes Magazine, and Elite Daily with her expertise lying in the fashion & beauty space.