What is Dehydrated Skin, and How Can You Treat It?
Updated: Sep 15, 2022
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Your skin is unique to you, and can be categorised in a couple of different ways. One of the key skin types most commonly seen is dehydrated.
Dehydrated skin occurs when water is lost from skin, this can often occur through trans epidermal water loss and can be combatted through supporting your skin barrier. This barrier is created from a combination of water and sebum and while it works really hard to protect skin from stressors, if it becomes unbalanced it becomes impaired and uncomfortable.
Dry and dehydrated skins can appear very similar and can be difficult to distinguish between. It’s important to note that skin can be dehydrated whilst being oily which can be confusing.
Signs that your skin is dehydrated
Skin can feel tight and present with dryness, however for those with an oily skin type, it can still appear to be shiny and result in breakouts.
Pores can be any size, but larger pores can play host to blackheads and spots.
You may find that your skin sucks in moisturiser faster than you can apply it, or that your foundation disappears over the course of the day.
Skin can look dull and flat.
Is dehydrated skin permanent?
Once identifying that your skin is indeed dehydrated, it can really benefit from an increase in water intake. We should aim to drink between six and eight glasses of water per day – not only for benefits to our skin, but water helps us to maintain our bodies temperature and supports our organ function by flushing our bodies through.
Fluctuating temperatures can also expedite moisture loss, extreme temperate changes accelerate evaporation and so avoiding overheated or air conditioned spaced can help to prevent skin dehydration.
Can dehydrated skin cause wrinkles?
When skin is dehydrated, fine lines can be more visible – unlike wrinkles these can be minimised through treating skin with nourishing products and increasing water content. Key ingredients that can support this are hyaluronic acid and squalane and choosing ceramide-rich formulas can boost and calm skin resulting in soft, and smoother skin.
What products are best to use?
The best products for combatting dehydrated skin are those specifically for dry skin or that boast moisturising properties.
Avoid foaming cleansers or overusing those that 'clarify', as these can strip skin. When finding a cleanser to best suit your skin, look for balms, milky and oily formulas. Dry skin can feel burning or itchy, so simple products can be the most effective.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser
Glossier Superbounce
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Supercharged Booster Serum
No7 Hydraluminous Water Surge Gel
Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial
Clarins SOS Hydra Mask
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