A Complete Guide to Identifying & Treating Dehydrated Skin

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is a condition where your skin lacks water, making it appear dull, tight, and prone to fine lines. Unlike dry skin, which is a skin type that produces less oil, dehydrated skin is a temporary state that can affect all skin types—even oily and combination skin. This means that while your skin might still feel greasy in some areas, it can still be dehydrated and in need of moisture.

Common signs of dehydrated skin on the face include tightness, a rough texture, and a lack of radiance. You may also notice fine lines or wrinkles becoming more prominent. Fortunately, with the right skincare for dehydrated skin, you can restore your skin’s moisture levels and regain its natural glow. Hydrating products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and plant-based extracts are key to replenishing moisture and keeping your skin healthy and radiant.

Why is my skin dehydrated?

The causes of dehydrated skin can be broken down into internal and external factors:

External Factors

• Temperature changes: Shifts in weather, such as cold or dry air, can strip moisture from your skin.
• Aggressive air-conditioning or heated rooms: Both can cause the skin to lose hydration quickly.
• Dry or humid air: Extremes in humidity levels, whether too high or too low, disrupt the skin’s moisture balance.

Internal Factors

• Lack of water: Inadequate water intake leads to dehydration from the inside out.
• Poor diet: A diet low in essential fatty acids or high in processed foods weakens the skin's ability to retain moisture.
• Over-exfoliating or harsh cleansers: Excessive exfoliation or using aggressive products can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, leading to dehydration.

Signs of dehydrated skin on the face

• Tightness: Skin feels taut or stretched, especially after washing.
• Dull complexion: Dehydrated skin lacks radiance and often appears dull or flat.
• Fine lines and wrinkles: Temporary fine lines, particularly noticeable around the eyes and mouth, can form as a result of water loss.
• Rough texture: The skin may feel rough or slightly flaky, particularly on the surface.
• Increased sensitivity: Dehydrated skin is more prone to irritation, redness, and itchiness.
• Dark under-eye circles: These can become more pronounced when your skin lacks hydration.
• Oily appearance with dry patches: Despite a shiny surface, deeper layers of the skin can still be dehydrated, leading to combination of oiliness and flakiness in different areas​.

What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often confused but represent distinct conditions:

Dehydrated Skin: This temporary state results from a lack of water in the skin. It can be triggered by environmental factors, such as harsh weather or air conditioning, and lifestyle choices like inadequate hydration. Signs include tightness, dullness, and a crinkled texture. Any skin type, including oily skin, can become dehydrated.

Dry Skin: This is a chronic skin type characterized by insufficient natural oils. It often appears rough, flaky, and may be accompanied by itchiness or irritation. Unlike dehydrated skin, which can improve quickly with proper hydration, dry skin typically requires consistent moisturization.

Best skincare routine for dehydrated skin?

Here’s a step-by-step guide for treating dehydrated skin using Clarins products, focusing on cleansing, serums, moisturisers, and masks. This routine will help restore your skin’s moisture balance and maintain hydration throughout the day.

1. Start with a Gentle Cleanser: The first step in any skincare routine is cleansing, but for dehydrated skin, it’s crucial to use a gentle, hydrating formula that won’t strip your skin of its natural moisture. Try Clarins' Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Its soothing formula removes impurities while maintaining your skin’s delicate moisture barrier.

2. Apply a Hydrating Serum: After cleansing, replenish moisture with a hydrating serum. Serums are packed with concentrated ingredients that target dehydration at a deeper level. Choose from some of our hydrating serums, The Hydra-Essentiel Bi-Phase Serum is ideal for dehydrated skin as it boosts moisture retention.

3. Use a Moisturiser Suited to Your Skin Type: Follow your serum with a face moisturiser that locks in hydration and provides long-lasting moisture throughout the day. The Multi-Active Day Cream is suitable for all skin types, though the Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Silky Cream is perfect to add to your dry skin routine.

4. Add a Weekly Hydrating Mask: To give your skin an extra boost of hydration, indulge in a face mask once or twice a week. The SOS Comfort Face Mask is perfect for quenching your skin’s thirst. Its a nourishing balm perfect for dehydrated skin.

5. Don't Forget Eye Care: Dehydrated skin can show up around the eyes as puffiness or fine lines. To combat this, use an eye cream such as Double Serum Eye or Total Eye Hydrate to provide extra hydration to the delicate eye area.

Choosing the right skincare products

When tackling dehydrated skin, it's essential to look for products that provide deep hydration and protect the skin’s moisture barrier. To restore and maintain healthy, glowing skin, focus on ingredients that attract and lock in moisture. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best products for dehydrated skin:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its incredible hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid acts like a moisture magnet, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It helps to plump and hydrate the skin from within, smoothing fine lines and giving your complexion a dewy glow. The Hydra-Essentiel Bi-Phase Serum is packed with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and restore the skin’s moisture balance.
• Glycerin: Glycerin is a powerful humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it soft and supple. This ingredient helps strengthen the skin's protective barrier, preventing moisture loss throughout the day. Many Clarins products, like the Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, contain glycerin to ensure long-lasting hydration.
• Organic Leaf of Life: Organic Leaf of Life extract helps to protect skin from dehydration by boosting its systems of self-hydration. Our Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Matte Gel is enriched with organic Leaf of Life extract to intensely hydrate and plump the skin

The importance of drinking enough water for your skin

Moisturised skin starts from within. Remember to drink two litres of water every day, even in winter. Cold weather is harsh on skin, and although you may not feel as thirsty as in summer, drinking lots of water is crucial to preventing dehydrated skin.