Dehydrated Skin

Taking care of our skin is one of the most important things we can do (and increased confidence is just an added bonus). That’s why the skincare industry has grown significantly in the past few years, with people using a range of products, tools, serums, you name it. Society used to point to genetics primarily as the culprit of skin aging, but it’s now recognized that how we treat our skin is another big factor. That being said, we often forget to factor unhealthy habits into the equation. While the surface level treatment of our skin is important, making sure our bodies are taken care of is crucial.

One of the ways our skin may be suffering is if you’re experiencing dehydration. While you may think you’re not dehydrated, you might be surprised to find out more people are dehydrated than they think. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure your body and skin are healthy and happy.

What is dehydrated
skin?

Dehydrated skin occurs when your skin lacks an adequate amount of water. Your skin may be dull, dry, itchy, and show fine lines more easily.

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What’s the difference between
dehydrated skin and dry skin?

While it may seem like the two are the same, they’re actually quite different. As we mentioned above, dehydrated skin comes from a lack of water. Dry skin comes from lack of oils. Dehydration is a condition, whereas dry skin is a skin type. If you’re experiencing dry skin, that is most likely due to external factors like harsh products, weather, or lack of moisturizers (however, it can also be the result of medical conditions, medications, genetics, and other factors). However, it is common for dehydrated skin to also be dry, so be sure to follow a morning and evening skincare routine that’s focused on moisturizing.

Dehydrated Skin Test

One of the easiest ways to know whether your skin is dehydrated is to do a skin test. All you have to do is pinch a small bit of skin on your cheek. If it wrinkles, then that means you’re dehydrated. If you do the test and you’re still not sure, we’ve got a few more ways to help you narrow down whether you may be dehydrated.

Other Symptoms of Dehydrated Skin

  • Dull
  • Itchy
  • Dark under-eye circles
  • Sunken eyes
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Increased sensitivity
  • More fine lines and wrinkles

Dehydrated skin texture

If you’re experiencing dehydration, your skin may not have the same look as dry skin, which is often scaly or flaky. Your skin may feel fairly normal, especially if your skin tends to be oily. But your skin may feel slightly rough and tight, which is another indicator in addition to the symptoms above.

  • Oily dehydrated skin

    If you’re dehydrated and have oily skin, it’s still important to keep your skin moisturized even though it may feel fine. Keeping your skin moisturized will also help cut down on excessive oil production.

  • Dehydrated skin and acne

    Ignoring dehydrated skin can lead to acne breakouts because flaky, dry skin can clog pores.

How to best treat
dehydrated skin

We’ve all heard it before — drink more water. The reason we hear this so often is because while we may believe that we’re drinking enough every day, most of us are actually dehydrated. This is especially true if you’re consuming a lot of soda or other beverages that aren’t beneficial to your body’s health. So how much water should you be drinking? Unfortunately, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. But there are some baseline guides here.

15.5 cups/day for men
11.5 cups/day for women

You’ll want to drink more based on other factors like location, weather, exercise, and more.

Best facial treatments for dehydrated skin

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. And did we mention moisturize? Even though dehydrated skin happens due to lack of water, you want to protect it from drying out further, which can cause aging. And since dehydration can cause premature fine lines and wrinkles, it’s important to have a skincare ritual that’s focused on hydrating and anti-aging. Here’s one we recommend.

  • Cleanser - Argan Anti-Aging Serum

    Shop Anti-Aging Serum

    Moisturizer - Ultrasonic Device

    Shop Ultrasonic

    Exfoliate with Microdermabrasion

    Shop Microdermabrasion
    • A gentle, hydrating cleanser. Avoid any cleansers with alcohol or fragrances.
    • A hyaluronic acid. This acid occurs naturally in the body and has many benefits, including making skin look plump. Our Anti-Aging Serum is made with Argan stem cells that keep your skin hydrated, firm, and youthful.

    Shop Microdermabrasion

    • A moisturizer with ceramides or colloidal oatmeal. Ceramides create a barrier for your skin that locks in moisture, so they’re important to have as a key ingredient. Your moisturizer should also be free of dioxane or petroleum.
    • Use an ultrasonic device to push both the hyaluronic acid and moisturizer further into the skin. The JenuPlus does a great job at this.

    Shop Microdermabrasion

    • Exfoliate once a week with a med-spa level microdermabrasion device. If you have sensitive skin, make sure you purchase a tip that’s designed to be more gentle (while still buffing away your top layer of skin). A Fine Diamond Tip is helpful to achieve that.

    Shop Microdermabrasion

How often should you treat dehydrated skin?

Every day. Get a water bottle that you absolutely love and keep it nearby. If you have a hard time drinking water, try adding fruit or a powder for extra flavor.

Things to avoid with dehydrated skin

Stay out of intense heat when possible. If you are outside all day, make sure you’re regularly drinking water. Also, apply lotion to your body and other moisturizers with your face.

Signs of Severe Dehydration

When it comes to serious levels of dehydration, you’ll experience symptoms in your body as well as your skin. Some of these symptoms include

  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Overall weakness
  • Less frequent urination
  • Dark urine

When to Seek Medical Attention

In most cases, dehydration is easy to manage on your own. However, if you have any of the symptoms above, keep your fluid intake up and go see your doctor as soon as possible.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/dehydrated-skin

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003281.htm#:~:text=You%20can%20quickly%20check%20for,in%20its%20return%20to%20normal

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20National%20Academies%20of,fluids%20a%20day%20for%20women

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-ceramides-for-skin#:~:text=Ceramides%20are%20fats%20or%20lipids,of%20germs%20into%20your%20body