Signs of Dehydrated Skin and How to Fix It

Every day our skin loses water as part of its normal processes... but lose too much and hello, dehydrated skin. Given how uncomfortable it can feel and its effect on the overall health of our skin, it's something we'd all like to avoid if we can.

So, let's discuss what some of the major signs of dehydrated skin are, how to fix it and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

What causes dehydrated skin?

There are so many things that can cause dehydrated skin. Our faces get stripped of moisture by air conditioning, weather, lack of sleep, not drinking enough water, hot showers and skipping your gentle skincare routine. 

It's not just an issue for someone with a dry skin type either. All skin types can become dehydrated - even oily skin - because it's caused by a lack of water within the skin. 

 

If the air around you is dry or hot, moisture evaporates faster from the surface of your skin. Restore the balance and hydrate skin with our products and tips, created with your dehydrated skin in mind.

How can I tell if my skin is dehydrated?

Dehydrated skin looks and feels different for all of us but some of the key signs to look out for include...

 

What does dehydrated skin look and feel like?

• Tight
• Dry
• Sensitive
  
• Dull
• Rough
• Flaky
• Scaly

Can dehydration cause skin texture?

Yes, it can be one of the first things you notice. If your skin suddenly isn't as smooth as it usually is, then it could be a good sign that you're lacking water.

It can look dull and uneven, which can all make fine lines look more visible as well.

How do you fix dehydrated skin?

We know having dehydrated skin isn't ideal, but luckily, it's super easy to put right. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your skin's moisture levels on top form.

1. Drink lots of water

Sounds obvious, we know but many of us are so busy that our water bottle often gets left by the wayside. Try to remember to take sips here and there throughout the day. You could always set an alarm if you really struggle to remember.

Don't like the taste? Try a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon to give it flavour. Don't forget that other drinks can count towards your daily intake as well. Plus, eating lots of water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon can be another way to up your intake.

2. Stay humid

Air conditioning and central heating can often be what causes dehydrated skin on your face and body.

They dry out the air around us, sapping water from our skin. As a general FYI, the more moisture in the air, the less water will evaporate from your skin. Try a humidifier during winter months and pick products that boost water levels in your skin. We love the Soothing Water Cream- it’s light, fresh and hydrates all day. Plus, it helps to support and restore your skin barrier.

3. Cleanse post-workout

Exercise is great for boosting circulation and giving skin a glowing appearance. But sweat, mixed with make-up and daily grime, can cause skin irritation. Plus, when you sweat, you're naturally losing water and minerals from your skin.

Cleanse after you exercise to keep your skin bacteria-free, even if it's with wipes or Kind to Skin™ Micellar Water. Follow this up by applying a hydrating moisturiser to keep water levels topped up. Stash a mini version of your favourite skincare for dehydrated skin, like our Kind to Skin™ Hydrating Light Moisturiser Pouch,  in your gym bag.

4. Moisturise damp skin

Smooth on your moisturiser within a few minutes of getting out of the shower to help make the most of that surface moisture on the skin before it has a chance to evaporate. Moisturisers can act like magnets within the skin, drawing in hydrating ingredients from the cream on the surface and holding them there. Our Water Boost™ Skin Quench Sleeping Cream has been specially formulated for dehydrated skin.

5. Be travel savvy with skincare for dehydrated skin

Dry air, low humidity levels and air conditioning from airports and aeroplane cabins can really disrupt your skin's moisture balance. You can avoid this, though, by packing the right products for dehydrated skin.

Layer up on moisture-rich products before you fly and try Simple Water Boost™ Skin Quench Gel Cream  for an instant hydration boost. It’s ideal to quench your skin mid-flight and delivers over 100 hours of multi-layer hydration.

More skincare tips

Even though we can all experience the signs of dehydrated skin at times, a balanced skincare routine and a few small tweaks to your daily lifestyle means skin will feel replenished again in no time.

You can read up on all our latest skin advice here. Don’t forget to follow us on our social channels for more top tips and our latest product news.

Now where's our water bottle...