Dehydrated Skin: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Dehydrated skin is a condition in which your skin loses water. It is not a permanent issue; you may mostly feel your skin dry. People with oily skin can also experience dehydration in the skin. The treatment for the same is different, where adding more oil works. It is necessary to understand the signs of dehydrated skin, why it happens and how to fix it. So that you can restore your skin’s balance. 

What is Dehydrated Skin

Skin gets dehydrated when the outermost layer of your face skin loses too much water through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Dehydration simply means low water content, which can affect all types of skin. This also happens frequently when your skin barrier is compromised, causing water to escape easily. If not treated, it can make your skin look dull and tight. It will also get easily irritated due to pollutants.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydrated Skin

Tightness after cleansing is one of the most common signs of dehydrated skin. The skin may feel flaky or papery. Fine lines are clearly visible, especially on the foreheads and under the eyes. If you do makeup, you may notice patches due to dryness. Sometimes the skin also, but the tightness will remain constant. Other symptoms of dehydrated skin are itchiness, high sensitivity and sallow tone. This does not go away even after using a good moisturiser.

Causes Of Dehydrated Skin

Many factors contribute to dehydrated skin. Below are some of the most common ones.

• Weather: Low humidity, wind, high altitude, aeroplane travel, AC/Indoor heating, etc, cause instant water loss leading to dryness.

• Hot Water Bath: If you are taking long, hot showers, then the skin loses water fast. Along with this, if you are over-cleaning this, you are speeding up dehydration.

• Over-exfoliation: Using acids/retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or scrubbing frequently weakens the skin barrier, causing dehydrated skin.

• Improper Skin Care Routine: If you have not added humectants or barrier-supporting agents to your skin care routine, then sealing hydration fails. 

• Lifestyle: Drinking less water, or taking too much caffeine or alcohol, can also cause dehydrated skin. Poor sleep and high stress also contribute to the same problem.

Effective Treatment for Dehydrated Skin

The most effective dehydrated skin treatment has two steps. First is to restore water balance, and second is to repair the skin barrier. So that once the water is restored, it does not escape. 

1. Start with a gentle cleanser and add a hydrating toner.

2. You can then use a Hyaluronic acid for Skin, which is a water-binding serum.

3. Lastly, seal it with a moisturiser for dehydrated skin. Look for something that contains ceramides and squalane.

These three steps are enough to treat dehydrated skin. At nighttime, you can add an occlusive layer of a rich night cream over your cheeks and around your nose. This will slow down water loss due to weather conditions. Pair it with tropical care and some lifestyle tweaks like drinking enough water, showering at room temperature, running a humidifier, etc, is enough to prevent skin dehydration.

Best products & ingredients for dehydrated skin

Here is a list of ingredients that you must look into for restoring the skin barrier. These key ingredients work on the core level to restore water loss. 

1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA): It is one of the most powerful humectants that draws water into the upper layer of the skin. It provides immediate plumping. It is best to apply HA on damp skin and then seal it with cream to prevent evaporation.

2. Squalane: It is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that can mimic skin's natural lipids. It can make your skin soft and also seal in the moisture. It is best for oily skin.

3. Ceramides: The healthy barrier that protects your skin from pollutants, ageing and dullness. Ceramides can reduce TWEL and protect skin from getting flaky.

4. Niacinamide for Skin (2-5%): Helps to balance oil and improve barrier function. Highly helpful if you have oily skin and are dealing with dehydration. It can also refine the pores' look over time.

5. Panthenol (Vitamin B5): This one is a soothing humectant that offers barrier recovery. It is best to get rid of tight-feeling complexions.

6. Glycerin: It is a famous and deeply effective humectant. Commonly used in skin care products, glycerin can work across different humidity levels and helps to keep skin hydrated.

Effective tips to care for Dehydrated Skin

Here are some tips to keep your skin hydrated. These tips are easy to practice and offer long-term skin benefits, more than just restoring water loss.

1. Use a mild, low pH-cleanser. This will reduce the impact of cleansing on the skin. 

2. Use a HA/glycerin-based Toner/essence. If possible, pair it with ceramides/squalane to get better results.

3. Once done, treating the skin seals it with a moisturising cream. This is very important, try a rich dry gel-based cream only.

4. When you are doing your skin routine, try keeping a gap of 60 seconds between each step. This will trap water and prevent dehydration. 

5. Try using a humidifier if you stay in dry areas. One near your bed or in the room where you work will help your skin to retain moisture.

6. Always take a short, lukewarm bath. Do not rub the skin; gently rinse off and then let it dry.

7. Try managing your stress level, prioritising sleep and drinking enough water. This will help you from the inside.