How to Treat Dehydrated Skin

If your complexion has been feeling more dry lately, you may be suffering from dehydrated skin. Much like the body, the skin naturally loses over 300mls of water every day, leaving it at risk of drying out if it is not hydrated.

Read on to discover how to treat dehydrated skin and quench your complexion’s thirst.

Dehydrated vs. Dry Skin: What’s the Difference?

Dehydrated skin can easily be mistaken for a dry complexion, as they have similar characteristics. However, the two have the following differences:

• Dry skin is a skin type that naturally produces fewer oils, leaving the complexion feeling rough, tight, and prone to redness. It’s typically genetic and can be managed.
• Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that can affect all skin types and is caused by the skin lacking in water.

What Does Dehydrated Face Skin Look Like?

Dehydrated skin on your face can be characterized by the following:

• Increased sensitivity
• Dryness that feels tight (particularly around the nose, chin, and eyebrows)
• Increased appearance of wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone and dullness

How to Test for Dehydrated Skin

A simple test to see if your skin is dehydrated is pinching. If your skin does not bounce back after being pinched, you may be suffering from dehydration.

What Causes Dehydrated Skin?

Dehydrated skin is caused by your skin losing more water than it receives. Various internal and external factors can affect this such as:

• Not drinking enough water
• Sweating due to exercise or high temperatures
• Increased urination due to diuretics
• Spending too long in a hot shower

How to Hydrate Skin Naturally

When it comes to how to hydrate dehydrated skin, many lifestyle changes can support improving the your complexion. The most effective ways include:

• Drink plenty of water - water helps to keep the body healthy and hydrated, but the skin is the last organ to receive this hydration. Drink too little and skin is left thirsty and dehydrated. It is recommended that women drink at least nine glasses of water a day.
• Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake – alcohol and caffeine can reduce the skin’s water content, causing tightness and dehydration. Limiting yourself to two cups of coffee and one glass of wine a day can minimize this impact.
• Avoid steaming hot showers - hot water can strip the skin of its protective oils, leaving it dry and not feeling its best. Keeping showers and bathwater warm - rather than steaming - can help maintain a healthy-looking appearance.
• Eat water-rich foods – 20% of your body’s total water intake is obtained from food with high water content, such as lettuce, cucumbers, celery, berries, and melons.

Skincare Tips for Dehydrated Skin

Aside from lifestyle changes, one of the easiest and most effective ways to hydrate your complexion is with skincare. A few simple additions to your existing routine can go a long way towards quenching parched skin, for a plump and rejuvenated appearance.

To help you to rehydrate your complexion, we’ve compiled our favorite moisture-boosting skincare tips:

1. Add Hyaluronic Acid to Your Dehydrated Skin Routine

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful skincare ingredient, capable of holding up to 1000 times its weight in water. It not only prevents moisture loss but absorbs water from its surroundings and works to drive that into the skin to lock in hydration. Applied topically, it helps to maintain the skin’s hydrated, plump, and youthful appearance.

Our No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum is powered by an innovative combination of hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000+™. This unique formula provides your skin with long-lasting hydration, whilst also reducing the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.