Top Hydrating Ingredients for Skin and Hair

Photography: Courtesy of Dermalogica

Dry hair and skin are common concerns, often caused by factors like genetics, diet, hormones, health issues, seasonality, and weather conditions. Dry hair tends to lack moisture, making it more prone to frizz and breakage, while dry skin can appear dull, flaky, and visibly dehydrated. To help restore lost moisture, it's essential to incorporate products with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that help boost the appearance of dry hair and skin.

Here, discover the essential hydrating ingredients to integrate into your client's routine along with their benefits for healthy-looking hair and skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

As a humectant ingredient, hyaluronic acid (HA) draws water into the skin and hair. The sugar-based molecule is a natural component of skin, with levels generally declining with age. “Hyaluronic acid skincare and haircare products are usually formulated with synthetic hyaluronic acid, and these molecules can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water,” says Dr. Iris Rubin (@dririsrubin), a Harvard-trained dermatologist.

“In skincare, HA provides hydration that has a plumping effect on the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines. In haircare, it helps improve moisture retention, reduce frizz caused by humidity, and enhance softness. In haircare, sodium hyaluronate is often used.”

Amla Oil

Amla oil, derived from the Indian gooseberry Amla, is loaded with essential fatty acids, which nourish the scalp and hair follicles. These fatty acids can penetrate deep into the hair shaft, strengthening the hair from within and promoting healthier and more resilient strands.

It’s also packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect hair from oxidative stress caused by environmental factors like pollution and UV rays. “Amla oil is often used in deep conditioning treatments, as it helps replenish moisture and keeps the hair hydrated,” says IGK Hair Care Co-Founder Leo Izquierdo (@leohairofficial).

Best Ingredients for Dry Hair

Photography: Courtesy of @stylesbystaceee & IGK

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil comes from the seeds of the safflower plant and is high in linoleic acid and ceramides, which are beneficial for hair and skin. “It delivers a silky-smooth feel, enhancing softness and shine while hydrating the hair and scalp,” says Renée Valerie (@renee.valerie), Director of R+COLOR Education. “Safflower oil is present in all colors of R+COLOR OMNIPRESENT, STAR SIGN, STELLAR, HYPERMATIC, and HALF TRUTH color lines—it truly helps to deliver the shiniest and softest result from any color line I have ever worked with.”

Coconut Milk

Extracted from the pulp of mature coconuts, coconut milk is naturally hydrating and its high-water content helps replenish moisture in the hair. “Nourishing fatty acids like lauric acid, known for their ability to penetrate the hair shaft, help lock in deep moisture for long-lasting hydration,” says Izquierdo. Plus, the proteins in coconut milk help to repair damaged hair strands, reducing breakage and improving hair strength.

Ceramides

“These lipid molecules are an essential part of the skin’s barrier,” says Dr. Rubin. “Supplementing the skin with ceramides helps reinforce the skin barrier to minimize moisture loss. In haircare, ceramides work to strengthen the cuticles and reduce damage while keeping strands hydrated and resilient. Ceramides also help maintain the scalp’s skin barrier, which is important because a healthy scalp helps grow healthy hair.”

Argan Oil

Argan oil is a fragrant, naturally-occurring oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree. Frequently used in haircare and skincare products, “argan oil provides softness, shine, moisture, and antioxidant support to the hair,” says Valerie. “It also provides moisture, and overall hair and scalp nourishment during the coloring process, which is key while processing in alkaline and acidic formulations.”

Collagen

“Collagen is a protein that supports skin structure and elasticity,” says Dr. Rubin. “While collagen molecules are too large to penetrate deep into the skin, hydrolyzed collagen and collagen-boosting peptides can help improve skin hydration and resilience. Haircare products are often formulated with hydrolyzed collagen to provide amino acids that can help strengthen strands and enhance shine.”

Plant-Derived Squalane

Squalane is a stable, hydrogenated version of squalene, a natural oil produced by the body. Derived from sugarcane, squalane is commonly used in skincare and haircare products for its moisturizing and protective properties. “Squalane mimics the skin’s natural oils to provide hydration without clogging pores,” says Dr. Rubin.