Dry skin: causes and effective treatments

Dehydrated skin can affect anyone at any time of year. Regardless of your skin type - oily, dry or combination - you may experience dehydration. Read on to learn everything about dehydrated skin.

• What is dehydrated skin
• This is why you get dehydrated skin
• How to get rid of dehydrated skin
  • Hydrate your skin from within
    * Drink water
    * Eat water-rich foods
  • Treat dehydrated skin from within
    * Have a moisturizing skincare routine
    * Daily cleansing
    * Exfoliation
    * Face mask for dehydrated skin
    * Moisturizing toner
    * Moisturizing serum
    * Protect the skin from external influences
    * Prevent moisture from evaporating
    * Control the humidity

What is dehydrated skin?

When the skin lacks water, it becomes dehydrated. The epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) lacks moisture and is dehydrated. But you must distinguish between dry and dehydrated skin, as they are two completely different things.

You get dry skin when the skin lacks sebum.

Read more about dry skin and how to recognize the difference between dehydrated and dry skin.

These are common signs of dehydrated skin:

• premature signs of aging such as fine lines, sagging skin and superficial wrinkles.
• dull and lifeless skin.
• uneven skin tone.
• itching.
• dark circles around the eyes, tired, sunken eyes.
• dry lips.

Other signs of severe dehydration may include:

• dry eyes and dry mouth.
• constant thirst.
• dark yellow urine with a strong odor.
• reduced urination and sweating.
• dizziness and fatigue.

This is why you get dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin occurs when the body and skin lose more water than they receive. Moisture evaporates from the skin, and the moisture balance needs to be restored.

Common reasons why skin becomes dehydrated include:

• stomach flu and vomiting, fever .
• heavy sweating.
• drinking too little water.
• eating food that is too dry..
• eating and drinking things that are diuretic.
• exposing your skin to strong sunlight, sunburn.
• heat, especially cold weather, large temperature fluctuations.
• drying, overly rich and moisture-deficient products.

How to get rid of dehydrated skin

Treating dehydrated skin is quite simple. You simply need to restore the fluid balance in your body and skin.

Hydrate your skin from within

A first step towards getting rid of dehydrated skin is to hydrate the skin from within.

Drink water

It is extremely important to drink enough water, especially after losing fluids through sunbathing, exercise or sauna use. Cut down on dehydrating drinks such as alcohol and coffee. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water and drink extra water after coffee.

Eat water-rich foods

Eat plenty of fresh foods such as vegetables and fruit. Water-rich foods such as watermelon, celery and cucumber are excellent for hydrating the skin. Water-rich dishes such as soups, stews or cooked vegetables are preferable to fried, grilled, baked and pan-fried foods.

Treat dehydrated skin from within

A common mistake is to mistake dehydrated skin for dry skin and treat it with rich creams and oils. What helps with dehydrated skin are moisturizing, water-rich and water-binding products.

Have a moisturizing skincare routine

Choose products that contain ingredients such as water, hydrosols, aloe vera, sea grass, 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. Ideally, use only one product containing these ingredients in your skincare routine.

Daily cleansing

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm or cold water. Avoid excessively long, hot showers and baths.

Facial cleansers we recommend for dehydrated skin: Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser, 100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Cleanser or Eco By Sonya Super Citrus Cleanser.

Exfoliation

Take care of your skin barrier. It is what helps retain moisture in the skin and protects against external stressors. Using (too much) retinol, acids and 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. Choose to use mild AHA acids and grain exfoliants that exfoliate gently.

Mildly exfoliating products that can be used every day: Evolve Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner

Exfoliation that can be used 1-2 times a week: Evolve Miracle Mask

Face mask for dehydrated skin

Give your skin an intense moisture boost with a moisturizing face mask. Moisture masks are perfect when you want to quench your skin's thirst immediately.

Moisturizing face masks suitable for dehydrated skin include 100% Pure's single-use masks.

Moisturizing facial toners

An important product specifically for dehydrated skin is a facial mist or toner.

A facial mist containing most of what dehydrated skin needs is Eco by Sonya Superfruit Hydrator.

If you also want a facial mist that can moisturise your face in front of the computer or during the day, rose water is a good choice.

Moisturising serums

When it comes to moisturising serums, hyaluronic acid is always a key ingredient. Keep in mind that serums containing hyaluronic acid should always be applied to damp skin so that it has water to bind to the skin.

We recommend these serums for a real moisture boost:  i+m Naturkosmetik Freistil Hyaluronic Serum, Evolve Hyaluronic Serum 200 and Evolve Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum.

Protect your skin from external influences

Sunlight, air pollution and similar factors directly or indirectly affect the skin's moisture balance. Protect your skin with a moisturising day cream that also protects against UV rays, blue light, free radicals and oxidative stress.

We recommend: i+m Dry Skin Creme de la Crème.

Prevent moisture from evaporating

Dehydrated skin is not lacking 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 give your skin does not stay put or disappears quickly, a facial oil may be a good idea. Use it on its own or mix a couple of drops with your face cream.

We recommend lightweight, moisturising and protective facial oils for dehydrated skin: Fushi Japanese Camellia Kissi Oil and Fushi Kalahari Melon Oil.

Control the humidity

During winter, humidity drops considerably, which can easily lead to dehydrated skin.

Make sure to add moisture to the air by:

• have plants and flowers at home and in the bedroom that need frequent watering.
• hang laundry in the rooms where you spend the most time (bedroom, living room) instead of in the laundry room.
• use a humidifier, especially while you sleep, to help your skin regain moisture.

We wish you all the best with your skin, and don't hesitate to ask us if you have any questions!