Dehydrated Skin explained

What is dehydrated skin? 

Dehydration is not “dry skin” or what I call true-dry skin. Dehydrated skin feels dry, but technically dry skin is lacking oil versus dehydrated skin that is lacking water. Dehydrated skin generally has a large buildup of dead skin cells. It is the job of those cells to retain moisture in the form of oil and water. If there are too many dead cells on the surface, more water is needed to keep all the cells moist. By eliminating the buildup (achieved through exfoliation), your cells are better able to retain moisture and less likely to become dehydrated.

Why is it dehydrated? Skin becomes dehydrated for several reasons:

• Some people are genetically predisposed and naturally dehydrated. This type of dehydration is usually very deep and tends to be harder to treat.
• Climate is a big contributor to the hydration level of the skin. People in desert climates are usually battling dehydration because there is so little moisture in the air, while those in a more humid environment don’t become dehydrated as easily.
• Seasonal weather can affect the hydration of the outer skin. Winter air is usually cold and dry, coupled with indoor heat that zaps moisture from the air causing the skin to become dehydrated. Using a humidifier to combat this dry, artificial heat can really be beneficial to the skin.
• Flying can do a number on the skin since the air in planes is extremely drying.
• Sun exposure can also leave the skin dehydrated. If, for instance, you put a bowl of water outside in the hot sun, it won’t take long for the water to evaporate. The same is true for the skin.
• Soap, because it strips the skin of all oil and water, can lead to mild to severe dehydration as well.

What to use on dehydrated skin. Anytime you feel dehydrated, a good course of action would be to exfoliate, and then follow with an appropriate moisturizer. Exfoliating immediately removes dead skin buildup, enabling the remaining cells to retain water more efficiently. If you are dehydrated, yet have oily or problem skin, do not overload on moisturizer because this can easily lead to breakouts. If you’re oily, using moisturizers for dry or dehydrated skin can cause clogging problems. Dehydration should be treated separately from oil or lack of oil production. In short, exfoliation is the key to alleviating dehydrated skin.

Drinking water may help to keep your skin better hydrated; however, it does not eliminate dehydration. Water is utilized in your entire body for many different purposes. Even if you drink a lot of water, it doesn’t necessarily go directly to your skin. But drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses is still the rule for getting enough water in your system.

Don’t use drying or harsh products on dehydrated skin. Soap can definitely cause flakiness and dehydration. Milky cleansers that are non-alkaline are best. Using an alcohol-free toner will help add moisture to the surface since most toners are primarily water. Still, the best and fastest relief for dehydrated skin is exfoliation.

For more information, see:

• Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin
• Is Your Skin Truly Dry or Just Thirsty?
• Using dry skin products on oily skin—STOP THE INSANITY!

If it’s saying “I feel dehydrated,” try exfoliating!