Dullness & Dehydration

What is Dehydrated Skin?

Dehydrated skin occurs when there is a lack of water in the uppermost layers of the skin. Moisture in the skin contributes to healthy cell turnover. Therefore, an absence of water means your skin cells are unable to rejuvenate.

Because of this, dehydrated skin presents symptoms such as patches of dryness, tightness, or increased sensitivity. These patches may appear rough in texture or look dull. Dehydrated skin can also accelerate the early signs of ageing by contributing to fine lines. Those with dry skin may find that the elasticity and resilience of their skin is reduced, making it prone to wrinkling and creasing.

What causes dehydrated skin?

Multiple environmental factors can cause dehydrated skin. The first and most obvious is an insufficient intake of water. Additionally, diets rich in alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, and salt encourage the body to expel water, making you prone to dehydration.

Excessive sun exposure also plays a major role in dehydrating the skin by drawing out moisture if not properly protected by SPF. Environmental factors such as dry air, pollution, cold winds, and even air conditioning can evaporate water from the skin, leaving it tight and sensitised.

A further cause of dehydrated skin is the incorrect use of skincare products. Products with a high percentage of alcohol or containing high levels of actives, when used too frequently or layered improperly by the user, can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it vulnerable to moisture loss or irritation.

Regularly taking hot showers and dips in a swimming pool can also dehydrate the skin. This is because overly hot water and chlorine can strip the skin of its protective oils, causing rapid moisture loss.

Dry Skin VS Dehydrated Skin

Dry skin is a skin type and dehydrated skin is a skin condition. Your skin type is what you're naturally born with, such as oily skin or dry skin. Your skin condition, however, is what happens to your skin, such as dehydration, acne and irritation. Skin conditions can happen to anyone, temporarily or longer, and in some instances, a skin condition can stay for good.

If you have a dry skin type, it means you’re lacking oil. You were born this way, and you’re dry everywhere else on your body including hands, scalp, legs, etc. When you put on moisturizers and lotions, chances are they soak up fairly quickly. You may also regularly experience regular flaking, cracking, sensitivity or issues like eczema.

If you have a dehydrated skin condition, your skin is lacking water. This can be caused by lots of factors such as makeup, diet, incorrect product use, weather; it goes on. But here’s where it gets tricky: When skin is dehydrated, it creates more oil to make up for the missing water. This can cause breakouts, irritation and dry patches. Skin can even feel oily and dry at the same time.