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HOW TO HYDRATE DEHYDRATED SKIN?

Article Overview

Have you been wondering if you might have dehydrated skin? This often-overlooked skin concern can cause a whole range of symptoms, including dehydration lines that can go on to become deeper wrinkles.
It can be difficult to tell if skin is dehydrated, because the symptoms often overlap with other skin concerns. However, with the proper guidance, dehydrated skin is manageable. We’ve created this guide on how to hydrate skin to teach you how to identify and address dehydrated skin concerns. We’ll answer questions like ‘Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturise?’ to help you on your skin hydration journey.

SIGNS OF DEHYDRATED SKIN

Dehydrated skin can be somewhat difficult to identify compared to other skin concerns. You can have oily dehydrated skin or dry dehydrated skin, each of which can look quite different. However, educating yourself on the distinct signs of dehydrated skin will help you identify whether this skin concern applies to you. Here are some key symptoms of dehydrated skin:

SHADOWS:

Dark patches usually under the eyes due to constricted blood vessels.

DULLNESS:

An overall lack of radiance.

DEHYDRATION LINES:

Similar in appearance to fine lines, these lines are due to lack of water in the skin. Dehydration lines under eyes are particularly common.

SENSATIONS OF ITCHING:

Lack of water near the skin’s surface is to blame for these sensations.

UNEVEN COMPLEXION:

Dark patches usually under the eyes due to constricted blood vessels.

These signs of dehydrated skin demonstrate the importance of learning how to hydrate skin. Keeping your skin hydrated can also help slow down the visible appearance of signs of ageing as well as being generally helpful for other skin concerns.

CAUSES OF DEHYDRATED SKIN

There are a few main factors which may cause or lead to dehydrated skin, stemming from lifestyle habits, skincare behaviours and individual tendencies. We recommend considering the below causal factors if you suspect you may have dehydrated skin:

LOW WATER INTAKE:

Dehydrated skin can be a symptom of overall systemic dehydration, so it’s useful to assess how much water you drink daily if you’re presenting with signs of dehydrated skin.

HIGH CAFFEINE INTAKE:

Drinking large amounts of caffeine laden tea or coffee can have a diuretic effect, leading to more frequent bathroom trips and a general lack of hydration.

A COMPROMISED SKIN BARRIER:

If your skin’s natural moisture barrier is compromised due to environmental aggressors, over exfoliating or other causes, this means your skin’s ability to retain hydration can be hindered. For this reason, increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) associated with a compromised skin barrier is another key cause of dehydrated skin.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRY SKIN AND DEHYDRATED SKIN

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often discussed as if they are the same skin concern, but this assumption is inaccurate. Both dehydrated and dry skin can feel uncomfortable, dry and prone to itchiness, but these symptoms happen for different reasons in each case.

So, what is the difference? Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a skin concern. Dry skin lacks sebum (skin’s natural oil), while dehydrated skin lacks water content. This difference explains why dry skin and dehydrated skin require different management approaches – moisturising vs hydrating.

HOW TO HYDRATE SKIN WITH KEY INGREDIENTS

As we know, dehydrated skin has specific needs beyond what traditional moisturising ingredients can provide. Instead, those with dehydrated skin should specifically seek out hydrating ingredients that can help your skin attract and retain water molecules. Here are some of the key hydrating ingredients chosen by SkinCeuticals experts as part of our dehydrated skin formulas.

ALLANTOIN:

This plant extract derived from the root of the comfrey tree is known for its ability to promote skin moisture barrier health. Allantoin can help increase water content in the skin by sealing it in, effectively replenishing and smoothing the skin’s surface.

GLYCERIN:

Glycerin boasts the impressive combination of being both an emollient and a humectant, although its humectant properties are most relevant to its benefits for dehydrated skin. Glycerin’s benefits include water binding properties help deliver intense hydration while also comforting the skin.

HYALURONIC ACID:

Hyaluronic acid is a natural humectant capable of holding 1,000 times its own weight in water. This, combined with the fact that it’s found naturally in the body, makes it an ideal hydrating ingredient when applied topically. Read our guide to the benefits of hyaluronic acid for skin to learn more about this ingredient.

PETROLATUM:

This protective ingredient forms a film on the skin’s surface to prevent moisture loss and guard against water loss.

BETA GLUCAN:

Beta glucans are a type of humectant ingredient. Unlike hyaluronic acid they are not naturally occurring, but they are extremely hydrating and have the added benefit of supporting the skin moisture barrier.

In terms of which ingredients to avoid with dehydrated skin, it’s best to stay away from some potent ingredients until you can reach optimal hydration levels. Excessive use of chemical exfoliants is not recommended and staying away from retinol is advised.

YOUR SKINCEUTICALS SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR DRY DEHYDRATED SKIN

Aside from drinking enough water, a well targeted skincare routine is a key part of how to hydrate your skin. Read on for our recommended products and regime for dehydrated skin.

GENTLE CLEANSER

It’s important to choose a comforting cleanser that won’t strip away much needed moisture from your skin. Our Gentle Cream Facial Cleanser has a mild formula with allantoin, making it well suited for dehydrated skin.

ULTRA-HYDRATING SERUM

After cleansing, follow up with a hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin to provide immediate hydration. Our Phyto Corrective Gel Calming Serum combines hyaluronic acid with a botanical blend to comfort and hydrate your complexion.

COMFORTING DAY CREAM

For the daytime, seal in the hydration from your serum with a corrective cream. Our Epidermal Repair Soothing Cream is specifically formulated to help support the skin’s moisture barrier function to help promote hydration.

HYDRATING NIGHT CREAM

At night, opt for a hydrating facial moisturiser formulated with botanicals. Our Renew Overnight Dry Hydrating Moisturiser is enriched with extracts of aloe, chamomile, evening primrose oil and comfrey to refine and comfort the skin.

PROTECTIVE BODY BALM

Dehydrated skin can occur on the body too, so we recommend using a hydrating body product like our Hydra Body Balm. Petrolatum provides an occlusive barrier to help protect dehydrated skin, while comforting ingredients help minimise associated sensations of itching.

INTENSIVE FACIAL MASK

Facial masks are a highly efficacious method of providing additional hydration to your complexion once or twice per week. Our Phyto Corrective Hydrating Mask delivers intense comfort and hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and 9% green botanicals.

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