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Are you suffering from a sudden bout of dry, crinkly and lackluster skin? Many people are quick to assume that such issues indicate they have dry skin, but that’s not always the case. You probably have dehydrated skin. That means your skin lacks water.
You’ve probably experienced dehydrated skin before at least once in your life. Even the most skin-health-conscious people cannot escape this condition, but there are measures that can be taken to remedy and prevent dehydrated skin from the inside out.
Assess your skin: Is it dry or dehydrated?
Dry skin is a skin type typically determined through genetics. It is caused by the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of natural oils. Because dry skin lacks oil, those with dry skin should look for products that can retain skin moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.
Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition. It can be caused by a number of factors, such as seasonal changes, diet and lifestyle choices. Skin tends to be oily on the outside, but parched under the surface. Common symptoms include heightened skin sensitivity, itchy and dull skin, and visible fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re suffering from dehydrated skin, go for products that can restore skin’s oil-water balance, replenish hydration, control sebum and restore a damaged skin barrier.
This article will focus on how to fix up a dehydrated complexion. Let’s begin!
How to Fix a Dehydrated Complexion
1 – Chug water!
First order of business, drink water! Hydration starts from within so feeding skin cells with water will naturally improve complexion. If plain water isn’t your thing, add some fruits to the mix. Keep a bottle of water on hand to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day. There are plenty of fun and quirky bottles to choose from!
Though I don’t blame you if you need that cuppa joe in the morning or a boozy infusion after a long week, avoid caffeine and alcohol whenever possible because they’re bad for skin!
2 – Use a gentle cleanser
A common symptom of dehydrated skin is it being oily in the morning but dry after cleansing. Hence, a gentle cleanser that replenishes hydration and restores skin’s oil-water balance without stripping skin’s natural oils is key.
Find cleansers formulated with oils or emollients to provide moisture. Dr. Althea’s Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser contains coconut oil and SIORIS’s Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser has macadamia seed oil that both conditions skin with a layer of moisture and restores skin’s water-oil levels. If you’re not a fan of oils, try one with hyaluronic acid and ceramide to bolster skin’s barrier, like B.LAB’s Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser.
3 – Use an essence
Toners and serums are fine, but those with dehydrated skin should make friends with essences. Think of essences as the primer to your skin care routine. They add an extra layer of hydration and penetrate into skin more deeply than toners. This allows products applied after to better seep into skin.
COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence intensely moisturizes skin thanks to the infusion of snail mucin. If snail mucin isn’t your thing, there are other essences that are just as hydrating. Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Essence Water and NEOGEN’s Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence boast nourishing formulations that leave skin soft and supple while boosting the skin barrier, controlling sebum production and balancing oil-water levels.
4 – Use hyaluronic acid
A revered skin care ingredient, hyaluronic acid binds water to skin cells and retains moisture to promote a hydrated and plump complexion. With the ability to quench skin’s thirst, hyaluronic acid can be found in a number of skin care products. Top contenders include Torriden’s DIVE-IN Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Serum, RNW’s DER CONCENTRATE Hyaluronic Acid Plus and MIZON’s Hyaluronic Acid 100.
Hyaluronic acid works well with most skin care items, making it easy to incorporate into your regimen. Look for products that have a maximum of 2% hyaluronic acid as anything more will surprisingly have drying effects on skin.
5 – Use a moisturizer to seal in hydration
Locking in moisture is crucial in strengthening skin barrier and protecting its outer layer. After applying toners, serums and essences, seal the deal with a moisturizer. Ones with ceramide, lactic acid and glycerin work well to fix up a dehydrated complexion. Worthy prospects include Pyunkang Yul’s Moisture Cream that contains glycerin to retain skin moisture and COSRX’s Moisture Power Enriched Cream which is packed with ceramide to build a protective moisturizing layer over skin.
If your skin type is oily or acne-prone, emulsions may work better than creams as they’re lightweight and less greasy while still providing heaps of hydration.
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