Apr 26, 2024
Categories
Skin Care
Is your skin feeling flaky, tight or more sensitive than usual? Has your glow faded? These are common signs of dehydrated skin. Below are the main symptoms and easy ways to bring moisture back.
Table Of Contents
Jump to…
4 Signs Of Dehydrated Skin
Dry Vs Dehydrated Skin
How To Fix Dehydrated Skin
Winter Skin Care Routine For Dry Skin
Why Is My Skin Dehydrated?
4 Signs of Dehydrated Skin Explained
Not sure if your skin is dry or dehydrated? Here are four clear signs of dehydration:
1. Itchy Skin
Have you ever come back from skiing or a sunny day and felt an urge to scratch? Wind and big temperature changes can strip moisture from your skin’s outer layer, leaving it tight and itchy. You may also see flaking, even if your skin looks oily.
2. Increased Sensitivity
When your skin loses moisture, its protective barrier weakens. That makes it easier for irritants like bacteria and pollution to get in, leading to more redness, itchiness and irritation.
3. Dull Skin
Dehydration slows normal skin functions like cell turnover. When dead skin cells don’t shed properly, they build up on the surface, causing clogged pores, congestion and a tired-looking complexion.
4. Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Pinch your cheek gently: if small lines appear, you might be dehydrated, says skincare expert Joanna Vargas. Dehydration can make fine lines look more pronounced, often as a network of tiny, triangular lines rather than deep expression lines.
Dry Vs. Dehydrated Skin
Dry and dehydrated skin can look similar, but they’re different problems. Here’s how they compare:
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a skin type you’re often born with. It means your skin makes less natural oil, which can come from genetics, hormonal changes or thyroid issues. While you can’t change your skin type, you can improve how it looks by using oil-based products.
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition caused by things like weather, diet or lifestyle (for example, not eating enough fresh foods, or drinking alcohol or too much caffeine). Dehydration means your skin lacks water — not oil. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. The good news: dehydration can be fixed with topical products and simple lifestyle changes.
How To Fix Your Dehydrated Skin
Before changing your skincare, try these lifestyle tips:
1. Avoid Too Much Caffeine & Alcohol
Both are diuretics and can reduce your skin’s water levels. Alcohol also affects vasopressin, a hormone that helps the body retain water. That said, one to two coffees a day and an occasional drink are generally fine.
2. Choose the Right Products
Treat dehydration by hydrating from the inside and using hydrating skincare on the outside.
3. Use a Humidifier
Adding moisture to indoor air can help prevent skin from drying out. Humidifiers are quiet and release water vapor that raises humidity, which helps keep skin hydrated.
4. Skip Harsh Scrubs
While exfoliation helps brighten dull skin, rough scrubs can irritate dehydrated skin. Healthy skin renews itself about every 25 days — dehydrated skin takes longer — so choose gentle exfoliation to speed cell turnover without causing damage.
A Dehydrated Skin Care Routine
Combine internal and topical care to restore hydration.
1. Wash With a Gentle Cleanser & Lukewarm Water
Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water to avoid stripping moisture. Avoid harsh chemicals that can worsen sensitivity. For a gentle option, cleansing oils can remove impurities while leaving skin hydrated.
2. Apply an Essence
Essences boost hydration and help protect skin from drying environmental stressors. They’re lightweight and packed with hydrating and antioxidant ingredients. Use an essence to prep skin and add an extra layer of moisture.
3. Use a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrator that helps skin retain moisture, making it look plump and smooth. Look for serums that include botanical forms of hyaluronic acid for extra moisture-locking benefits.
4. Use a Gentle Exfoliant
Avoid scrubs with harsh beads or sugar. Opt for gentle exfoliants that use natural powders or enzyme-based ingredients to remove flakes and reveal brighter skin without irritation.
5. Protect Your Skin’s Outer Layer
Drinking more water helps your body, but it doesn’t always send that hydration straight to your skin. The key is preventing moisture loss by keeping your skin’s barrier healthy. Use a nourishing moisturizer or night cream with ingredients like jojoba oil or plant peptides to lock in moisture and help skin look firmer and more hydrated.
A Winter Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
If your skin is naturally dry or gets dry in winter, try this simple three-step routine to keep it smooth and comfortable.
Prep the Skin With an Essence
Apply a hydrating essence to tone and hydrate the skin. Pat a small amount onto your face and neck. Ingredients like snow mushroom and botanical collagen help boost hydration and improve elasticity.
Use a Hydrator
Next, apply a hyaluronic hydrating gel over your face, neck and décolleté. This adds deep hydration and helps keep moisture in the skin.
Apply an Oil
Finish with two to three drops of a nourishing face oil and massage it in. Oils with ingredients like jojoba, rosehip and seabuckthorn help lock in moisture and leave skin looking firmer and more hydrated.
The Bottom Line: How To Fix Dehydrated Skin
Whether your skin is naturally dry or temporarily dehydrated, identifying the issue and treating it properly will keep your complexion healthy and radiant. Dehydration is usually temporary and can be improved with a mix of topical care and small lifestyle changes. For tailored advice, consider booking a consultation with a licensed esthetician at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.
Product Picks
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
Dual action exfoliant
$55.00
(158)
Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum
Replenishing and hydrating serum
$55.00
(139)