Dry patches, redness, itching, fine lines and even stretch marks… These can all be signs of dehydrated skin. But dehydrated skin isn’t something you simply have to live with! Here are 5 ways to look after it day to day: a suitable skincare product, a gentle approach to water, drinking enough, a plate full of fruit and veg, and a balanced lifestyle. You’ll also discover the main causes of skin dehydration and how to tell it apart from dry skin.
Solution for dehydrated skin 1: regularly apply a suitable product
The first solution against dehydration is of course to use an emollient product suited to your skin type. Application should be daily, to compensate for natural water loss – water being eliminated notably through perspiration.
The cosmetic product, whether a cream, balm, serum or lotion, should contain both a humectant active (which draws in and retains water) and an occlusive active (which locks water into the deeper layers of the epidermis).
Its formula should be as balanced as possible: watch out for too much alcohol, sulphates and fragrance, which can contribute to dryness. If you’re looking for a body product to rehydrate your skin, we’ve created a Moisturising Cream, specially designed to provide deep, all-over hydration for all skin types.
Solution 2: avoid repeated contact with water
Water can dehydrate! A few important nuances, though: it all depends on frequency, duration and water hardness. For instance:
- very hot water tends to strip the hydrolipidic film that forms the skin barrier, leaving the epidermis unprotected and more prone to dehydration;
- very frequent showers and baths, as well as swimming, have the same weakening effect on the hydrolipidic film;
- very hard water, also known as calcareous water, leaves micro-crystals of limescale on the skin that act like sponges, drawing out moisture;
- frequent contact with heavily chlorinated water (such as in a swimming pool) can irritate the skin deeply and damage the protective skin film, leading to dryness.
To avoid these harmful effects, it is best to:
- wash with lukewarm water rather than very hot water;
- avoid bathing too frequently and opt for quick showers instead;
- fit a water softener to your shower head;
- avoid rubbing your skin vigorously when washing (and drying);
- moisturise every time after a shower, bath or swim.
Solution 3: drink enough water
A point worth repeating: taking care of yourself also comes down to what you drink. If you’re not drinking enough, it may be time to rethink your daily habits. Stick to the recommended one and a half to two litres per day. If you find it hard to keep up, why not invest in a reusable water bottle? Drinking from your own bottle makes it easy to track your intake. Hydration should come primarily from water (mineral, spring or tap). But if you want to mix things up, you can always try a detox water (with pieces of fruit), herbal teas or juices. As for coffee and tea, enjoy them in moderation and don’t count them as your main source of hydration.
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Solution 4: load up on fruit and vegetables
Alongside staying hydrated through drinks, a water-rich diet is also recommended. The foods richest in water are of course fruit and vegetables. As well as being nutritious and low in calories, they contain plenty of water, vitamins A and C, and minerals (such as copper, found in leafy greens). Feel free to enjoy them at every meal, raw or cooked, and even in soups and compotes!
Solution 5: adopt a healthy lifestyle
Yes, lifestyle choices have a direct impact on skin quality, including its hydration levels. For example:
- alcohol is technically a drink, but it doesn’t count towards your daily hydration, so it’s best kept to a minimum;
- smoking is well known to take its toll on the skin, which is one more good reason to quit;
- stress and chronic fatigue can have a negative impact on skin quality – loss of suppleness, a tired, dehydrated look.
What causes dehydrated skin?
The causes can be both internal and external. Among them:
- environmental factors such as wind, cold, sun, pollution, water…;
- lifestyle habits mentioned above – smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition, blue light;
- hormonal factors – hormonal peaks and drops during pregnancy or menopause…;
- emotional causes – stress, anxiety, fatigue…;
- genetics;
- certain medical conditions – diabetes, kidney failure, eating disorders…;
- medications, particularly corticosteroids, diuretics, statins…;
- unsuitable skincare products.
How do you recognise dehydrated skin?
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are two different things. Dry skin lacks lipids and is a physiological skin type, whereas dehydrated skin lacks water and is a temporary condition. It manifests as discomfort (tightness, tingling, loss of elasticity), possible flaking and dry patches, fine lines and wrinkles caused by dehydration, and a loss of radiance and plumpness.
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Useful categories: Stretch Marks.
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