How to recognize dehydrated skin?
Eloise Dubois-Gaché
6 min
Summary
Is your skin dull, tight, and redness starting to appear? It could be that your skin is dehydrated and needs water!
Before you reach for your moisturizer, start with a tall glass of water. Then, let us guide you: we'll explain everything you need to give your skin the hydration it desperately needs.
Dehydrated skin or dry skin?
Skin dehydration occurs when the hydrolipidic barrier, responsible for keeping the skin hydrated, no longer fulfills its role effectively.
You've probably noticed that we're talking about dehydration, not dryness. And yes, because dehydrated skin is not synonymous with dry skin.
To understand this difference, it is important to distinguish between skin type and skin condition.
Skin type , determined by genetic factors, remains constant over time (normal, dry, oily or combination skin).
Skin condition, on the other hand, refers to a temporary or reversible condition of the skin ( dehydrated skin , acne-prone skin, sensitive skin) influenced by various internal and external factors.
Dry skin , for example, is a skin type that lacks sebum, i.e. lipids, while dehydrated skin is a skin condition that lacks hydration, i.e. water. 💧
So, as you will have understood, even oily skin can be dehydrated!
Signs of dehydrated skin
So, how do you recognize dehydrated skin? Here are some signs.
- Dull and tired appearance: This is often one of the first telltale signs of dehydrated skin.
- Dilated pores
- Redness, especially in the cheeks.
- Tight feeling: especially after cleaning or exposure to aggressive environments.
- Dehydration lines: small superficial lines appear. Often confused with aging wrinkles, they are actually the direct result of the skin's water deficiency (phew).
All these signals are a bit like a distress message from your skin screaming at you: mayday, mayday, I need water! 🫗
Causes of dehydrated skin
When a change in skin condition is noticed, it is essential to look for possible causes to better understand and act on the root of the problem.
Rest assured, if your skin is dehydrated , it's not just because you're not drinking enough water. Other factors come into play:
➡️Internal factors can affect the skin's ability to retain water.
For example :
1/ Taking medications such as diuretics or acne treatments.
2/ Certain conditions such as menopause: with the decline in estrogen, the skin not only loses its natural moisture, but also sees its sebum production decrease, which accentuates skin dryness. Ah, the joys of being a woman...
➡️ Lifestyle habits: unbalanced diet, insufficient hydration, stress, as well as tobacco and alcohol consumption.
➡️ Environment and climate: Cold, wind, and sun exposure dry out the skin. Similarly, air conditioning and overheated rooms reduce humidity and do nothing to help our beautiful skin stay hydrated.
➡️ Finally, and as you might expect, using harsh skincare products, containing harsh ingredients like alcohol, for example, can disrupt the skin barrier and promote dehydration.
Common problems associated with dehydrated skin
As if having dull, tight skin wasn't enough, other annoyances can be added to this already extensive list. 🫣
- Reactivity : The skin becomes extremely sensitive and can react strongly to any unsuitable product or treatment. You'll forgive us for the expression, but it's as if the epidermis is constantly "on edge," ready to become irritated at the slightest touch.
- Peeling: A slight loss of the surface layers of the skin may occur, leaving rough or uneven areas. Dead cells accumulate on the surface and flake off, much like skin peeling after sunburn.
- Loss of elasticity due to a reduction in water in the dermis. Here, collagen and elastin, responsible for flexibility, are affected. Although this loss is inevitable with age , it can also be associated with dehydration, thus accentuating the signs of premature aging.
- Itching: this is common on dehydrated skin , particularly due to tightness (one rarely goes without the other).
It itches, it pulls, the skin is uncomfortable and all we want to do is apply a moisturizer as quickly as possible.
Tips for Managing Dehydrated Skin
“I have dehydrated skin , what should I do?” Don’t panic! We’ve got our top tips to help you regain glowing, hydrated skin.
Adapted routine
First, we start with a beauty routine and appropriate actions.
One watchword: HYDRA-TATION. 💦
✅ Gentle Cleansers: Use cleansers that are gentle on the skin. Remember that dehydrated skin is more reactive. Gentleness is key.
✅ Moisturizing serums: Before your moisturizer, apply a serum based on hygroscopic compounds (which absorb and retain water) such as hyaluronic acid or urea for example.
✅ Sun protection: Maybe we should have started with this... UV rays can dehydrate the skin by damaging the skin barrier. Always use a suitable sunscreen (yes, even when it's not summer) to prevent this drying and protect the skin.
Internal hydration
Hydration isn't just about the products you apply to your skin. It's just as important to maintain good internal hydration.
✅ Drink between 1.5 and 2 L of water throughout the day. Add herbs or fruit to your water if needed. 🍋
✅ Focus on foods rich in water: cucumber, zucchini, watermelon, melon, strawberries... How about a little fruit salad?
Food supplements to help
Dietary supplements are a great way to keep your skin well-hydrated and healthy. Three supplements stand out for dehydrated skin :
✅ Hyaluronic acid: it is a valuable ally for keeping the skin well hydrated, because it retains water in cells and tissues.
✅ Collagen: essential for skin suppleness, it helps compensate for the loss of elasticity caused by dehydration.
Good to know: For women going through menopause, these dietary supplements are particularly useful for compensating for the loss of hydration and sebum due to hormonal changes. |
✅ Omega-3: they help protect the skin against dehydration by strengthening the skin barrier.
Good reflexes to have
Some small precautions can make a big difference in the condition of your skin.
✅Prefer lukewarm showers rather than hot ones, as hot water can weaken the skin's hydrolipidic film.
✅ Remember to humidify the air inside your home, especially in winter, to compensate for the drop in humidity caused by heating.
✅ Stay in the shade and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
To conclude
In short, if your skin is dehydrated , give it suitable care and deep hydration: it's just waiting for that.
Remember that hydration also starts from the inside out, so drink enough, eat a balanced diet and rely on the right supplements.
Hydrated skin mode activated!
