Dehydrated skin can affect anyone at any time of the year. Regardless of skin type – oily, dry, or combination – you can experience dehydration. Read on to learn everything about dehydrated skin.
What is dehydrated skin?
When the skin lacks water, it becomes dehydrated. The epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) is poor in moisture and dried out. But you must distinguish between dry skin and dehydrated skin, as they are two completely different things.
Dry skin occurs when the skin lacks sebum (natural oil).
Read more about dry skin and how to distinguish between dehydrated and dry skin.
These are common signs of dehydrated skin:
premature aging signs such as fine lines, sagging skin, and superficial wrinkles.
dull and lifeless skin.
uneven skin tone.
itchiness.
dark circles around the eyes, tired sunken eyes.
dry lips.
Other signs of severe dehydration can be:
dry eyes and dry mouth.
constant thirst.
dark yellow urine with a sharp smell.
decreased urination and sweating.
dizziness and fatigue.
Why you get dehydrated skin
You get dehydrated skin when your body and skin lose more water than they receive. Moisture evaporates from the skin and the moisture balance needs to be restored. Common causes of dehydrated skin are:
stomach flu, fever.
excessive sweating.
drinking too little water.
eating food that's too dry.
consuming foods and drinks that are diuretic.
exposing skin to strong sun, sunburn.
heat, extremely cold weather, major temperature changes.
drying, overly oily and moisture-poor products.
How to get rid of dehydrated skin
Treating dehydrated skin is quite simple. You simply need to restore the moisture balance in your body and skin.
Rehydrate the skin from within
A first step toward getting rid of dehydration is to rehydrate the skin from within.
Drink water
It is of utmost importance to drink enough water. Especially after water loss such as from sunbathing, exercising, or using the sauna. Cut down on diuretic drinks like alcohol and coffee. Make sure to alternate alcoholic beverages with water and to drink extra water after coffee.
Eat water-rich foods
Eat plenty of fresh foods like vegetables and fruits. Water-rich foods such as watermelon, celery, and cucumber are really good at rehydrating the skin. Water-rich dishes like soups, stews, or cooked vegetables are preferable to fried, grilled, baked, and fried foods.
Treat dehydrated skin from the outside
A common mistake is to confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin and treat it with rich creams and oils. What helps with dehydrated skin are hydrating, water-rich, and water-binding products.
Have a moisturizing skincare routine
Choose products that contain ingredients such as water, hydrosols, aloe vera, seaweed, algae, honey, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and AHA acids. Note that too much moisture-binding hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as exfoliating acids, can have the opposite effect – even drier skin. Preferably have only one product containing these ingredients in your skincare routine.
Daily cleansing
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm or cold water. Avoid overly long and hot showers and baths. Facial cleansers we recommend for dehydrated skin:
Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser
100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Cleanser
Eco By Sonya Super Citrus Cleanser
Exfoliation
Take care of your skin barrier. It's what maintains moisture in your skin and protects against external stressors. Using (too much) retinol, acids, potent active ingredients can weaken the skin barrier.
Even harsh facial scrubs, various cleansing brushes and cloths can have a negative impact on the skin barrier. Focus on using mild AHA acids and grain peelings that exfoliate gently. Lightly exfoliating products that can be used daily:
Evolve Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner
Exfoliation that can be used 1-2 times a week:
Evolve Miracle Mask
Evolve Rose Quartz Facial Polish
Face masks for dehydrated skin
Give your skin a generous moisture boost with a hydrating face mask. Moisture masks are perfect when you want to immediately quench the thirst in your skin. Hydrating face masks suitable for dehydrated skin:
100% Pure Green Tea Water Bomb Mask
Inlight Beauty Masks
Hydrating toners
An important product for dehydrated skin specifically is facial toner or toner. Toners that contain most of what moisture-depleted skin needs are:
Eco by Sonya Superfruit Hydrator
If you also want a toner that can hydrate your face in front of the computer or during the day, rose water is a good choice.
Hydrating serums
When it comes to hydrating serums, hyaluronic acid is always a key ingredient. Remember that serums containing hyaluronic acid should always be applied to damp skin so that they have water to bind to the skin. We recommend these serums for a substantial moisture boost:
i+m Hydro Perform Aqua Boost Aloe Vera Hyaluron
i+m Naturkosmetik Freistil Hyaluronic Serum Evolve Hyaluronic Serum 200
Evolve Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum
If you already have (a lot of) hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine, you can use the following serum that doesn't contain hyaluronic acid:
Aloe Vera Gel
Protect skin from external factors
Sunrays, air pollution, and similar factors directly or indirectly affect the moisture balance in the skin. Protect your skin with a hydrating day cream that also protects against UV rays, blue light, free radicals, and oxidative stress. We recommend:
i+m Hydro Perform Moisturizing Cream Aloe Vera Pomegranate
100% Pure Hydra Drench Cream
Prevent moisture from evaporating
Dehydrated skin doesn't lack oil or sebum. However, oils and oil-rich creams are good to apply to the skin to prevent moisture from evaporating. If you feel that the moisture you feed your skin doesn't stay or disappears quickly, a facial oil might be a good idea. Use it as is or mix a few drops with your face cream. We recommend thin, hydrating, and protective facial oils for dehydrated skin:
Fushi Japanese Camellia Kissi Oil Fushi Kalahari Melon Oil
Loelle Raspberry Seed Oil
Control humidity
During winter, humidity drops significantly, which can easily lead to dehydrated skin. Make sure to add moisture to the air by:
having plants and flowers at home and in your bedroom that need frequent watering.
hang laundry in rooms where you spend the most time (bedroom, living room) instead of in the laundry room.
use a humidifier, especially when you sleep to help the skin regain moisture.
We wish you good luck with your skin, don't hesitate to ask us if you wonder about anything!
