A Comprehensive Guide To Dehydrated Skin
Is your skin feeling tight, itchy or dry? If the answer is yes, then you may be dealing with dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin
can often look and feel like dry skin, however, there is a major difference between them and they both require very different needs. Dehydrated skin is very common during the cold winter months as the sudden drop in temperatures and reduced humidity can deplete your skin of moisture.
Dry skin is a skin type that means your skin doesn’t produce enough oils to keep it moisturised, whereas dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition where your skin doesn’t produce enough water in the uppermost layers. As a result, this water loss can disrupt your skin barrier function, leading to uncomfortable feelings of dry, tight and itchy skin.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what dehydrated skin is, what causes it and the symptoms to look out for. Plus, we’ll give you our top tips on how to treat it with our range of products that have been expertly optimised with the very best actives and ingredients that’ll leave your skin feeling visibly plump, healthy and restored.
What causes dehydrated skin?
Air conditioning and central heating
This can strip the skin of essential moisture.
Harsh skincare products
Dehydrated skin can often be caused by using harsh or skin sensitising ingredients that can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier and microbiome. If your skin is dehydrated, we recommend to avoid using ingredients that could potentially aggravate your skin such as alcohol and synthetic fragrances which may lead to irritation.
Too many acids
If you continuously use too many acids such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) this could irritate your skin and cause feelings of sensitivity such as red, itchy skin. Our daily exfoliating tonics
are our innovative answer to traditionally drying and stinging acid toners. Expertly formulated to be gentle enough for twice-a-day use - even on sensitive skin for a noticeable everyday glow.
Using the wrong combination of ingredients
Using too many products at once or certain products too frequently may dehydrate your skin.
Sun exposure
When your skin is exposed to UV rays without sunscreen
, these rays can damage the cells on the outermost layer of the skin and lead to feelings of rough, dry and flaky skin.
Symptoms of dehydrated skin
Signs that your skin is dehydrated can include increased sensitivity, itching, rough and flaky skin, an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, oiliness and a dull, lifeless complexion. An easy way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is by doing the ‘pinch test’. This involves gently pinching your skin - if it bounces back immediately then it is unlikely to be dehydrated, if it takes a few seconds to bounce back, then it is likely to be dehydrated.
Increased skin sensitivity
When your skin’s protective barrier is compromised, it is unable to protect itself from environmental aggressors which can lead to feelings of irritation and sensitivity along with the appearance of blemishes and redness.
Skin feels more itchy
Due to the lack of water within the skin, dehydrated skin can feel tight, itchy and more sensitive.
Skin looks lacklustre
The skin may appear dull, lifeless and lacking in radiance. Additionally, you may notice that your eyes look sunken with an increase in the appearance of dark circles.
Increased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Those with dehydrated skin may find that their skin lacks elasticity; therefore appearing less plump and youthful.
Skin feels rough and flaky
The lack of hydration can cause the skin’s texture to feel rough, chapped and appear uneven. The skin can look flaky and cracked.
Increased oiliness
When your skin is dehydrated, it can overcompensate for the lack of hydration by producing excessive sebum; resulting in a more oily complexion. Although the skin is overproducing sebum, it will still be lacking in the optimum amount of hydration that it needs to stay healthy.
How dehydration appears in different skin types
Balanced skin
If your skin is normally well balanced without many concerns, it could be easier to tell when your skin is dehydrated. For example, you might notice that your skin suddenly looks or feels tight and thin. An increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is another indication, along with dark circles and an overall sunken appearance.
Dry skin
If you have a dry skin type, it could be difficult to tell if your skin is dehydrated as it may already be looking dull and lacklustre. However, an easy way to see if your skin is dehydrated is by doing the ‘pinch test’. Simply pinch your skin and if it bounces back immediately then it is unlikely to be dehydrated. If it takes a few seconds to bounce back and regain its shape, then it is likely to be dehydrated.
Sensitive skin
If your skin begins to feel more sensitive than normal, or you notice any sudden breakouts, these could be signs of dehydration. The more dehydrated your skin is, the less protected it becomes. This is a result of a compromised skin barrier, which can lead to feelings of increased sensitivity, irritation and redness.
Oily skin
If you have an oily skin type, you may notice that your skin is producing more oil than normal. This is because when your skin lacks water, it over produces oil to compensate for the lack of water and moisture in the skin, in an attempt to try and protect itself.
How to treat dehydrated skin
Top ingredients to care for dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin care routine
Created by our skincare experts, our Hydration Recharge regime will visibly transform dehydrated, lacklustre skin into a visibly nourished, plump and restored complexion.
PM Routine:
Step 2: Target serum
Step 3: Vitamin A
Step 4: Moisturise and/or bi-weekly treatment
Double cleanse (with warm water)
Double cleansing is an essential part of any skincare routine. It involves two steps; the first being an oil or cream cleanser to remove any makeup, sunscreen, dirt and sweat that has accumulated throughout the day. The second, being a gel, mousse or foam cleanser to remove any remaining impurities from deep within the skin as well as targeting any skin concerns you may have. Most people prefer to only double cleanse in their evening skincare routine, however it is completely fine to double cleanse your skin in the morning if you feel that it is necessary - just do what works best for you and your skin type.
Medik8 recommends:
For the most effective double cleanse we recommend to use Lipid Balance Cleansing Oil as your first cleanse. Featuring nourishing omegas, this lightweight cleansing oil effortlessly removes heavy makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities and transforms into a silky emulsion upon contact with water to leave your skin feeling soft, supple and perfectly balanced. If you prefer a cream-based texture, use Cream Cleanse. A rich, shea butter-infused creamy cleanser that envelops the skin in total nourishment for fuss-free makeup removal.
For your second cleanse, choose one that will help target any skin concerns that you want to address. For example, if your skin is redness-prone choose Calmwise Soothing Cleanser, or if you’re experiencing blemishes and breakouts, try Clarifying Foam.
Use a gentle exfoliant
Dehydrated skin can often appear dull, lifeless and lacking in radiance. Therefore, it is important to use a gentle exfoliant to help remove dead skin cells for a smoother skin texture.
Medik8 recommends:
Clinically proven to deliver glowing skin in just 2 weeks[2], Press & Glow is our innovative answer to traditionally drying and stinging acid toners. Infused with PHAs, this hydrating daily exfoliating tonic helps to create a visibly perfected skin surface which is better at absorbing the active ingredients that you would apply in the rest of your skincare routine. Gentle enough to be used twice-a-day - even on sensitive skin.
Expertly formulated for sensitive, blemish-prone skin, Press & Clear is our 2% BHA daily toner that stars salicylic and tranexamic acid that is proven to deliver visibly clearer skin in just 7 days[3]. Non-sticky and non-greasy, this twice-daily BHA toner will leave your complexion visibly clearer, smoother and more radiant.
Incorporate a target serum
A targeted serum can help to smooth your skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help fight the signs of ageing. With the ability to attract more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the upper layer of the skin - leaving dehydrated complexions beautifully soft, supple and deeply hydrated.
Medik8 recommends:
Infused with multi-weight hyaluronic acid, in just 24 hours Hydr8 B5 Intense helps to replenish and recharge your skin’s moisture levels for clinically proven smoothing and plumping results[4]. Fortified with antioxidants and Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) this silky, non-sticky serum leaves your complexion noticeably bouncy and supple.
As part of our clinically proven CSA Philosophy (vitamin C plus sunscreen in the day, and vitamin A at night) a vitamin C serum is an essential part of any morning skincare routine for its effective radiance-boosting and collagen-supporting benefits. Our advanced vitamin C range only features scientifically proven forms of vitamin C, which we expertly stabilise to ensure optimum potency and maximum visible results - with minimal irritation. Supercharge your skin’s radiance each morning with our bestselling C-Tetra Luxe serum. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation in 4 weeks[5]. It features 14% stabilised vitamin C and is the perfect morning serum for those seeking enhanced skin radiance, antioxidant protection and deep nourishment. Enhanced with squalane and vitamin F, the velvety-soft, silky texture instantly absorbs into the skin; leaving dehydrated skins deeply moisturised and nourished.
For optimum moisture-boosting and age-defying results, we recommend using C-Tetra Luxe after cleansing in your AM routine, followed by Advanced Day Ultimate Protect. In your PM routine, after cleansing use Hydr8 B5 Intense, followed by Crystal Retinal and then Advanced Night Restore.
Moisturise (AM)
Moisturisers work by binding water to the skin, helping to keep it ‘locked-in’ and therefore preventing moisture loss. Finding a moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type can help to relieve feelings of irritation and discomfort that is often associated with dehydrated skin. Our range of expertly created moisturisers that have been specifically formulated for dehydrated skin help to keep your complexion deeply nourished, hydrated and restored. Offering more than just hydration, they help to reveal visibly smooth, supple and youthful-looking skin.
Medik8 recommends:
All of our advanced sunscreen formulations provide you with comprehensive environmental sunscreen protection within a daily, nourishing moisturiser. Our most advanced sunscreen formula ever, Advanced Day Ultimate Protect is your daily moisturiser and SPF 50+ PA++++ sunscreen in one. Helping to shield against the sun’s damaging, ageing and burning effects along with air pollution, blue light and infrared damage, this lightweight yet incredibly hydrating formula preserves skin’s youthfulness and leaves an invisible finish on all skin tones - making it the perfect base for makeup application.
For all-in-one radiance and protection, Daily Radiance Vitamin C combines both your daily dose of skin-brightening vitamin C and SPF 30 protection in just one step. With a non-greasy, cashmere-soft texture it melts effortlessly into the skin to deliver powerful antioxidant protection while working to prevent and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Clinically proven to leave skin visibly radiant after just 1 use[6] ,it leaves the complexion feeling deeply hydrated and glowing all-day long.
Treat skin to a weekly face mask
Face masks enriched with hydrating actives and ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides are a great way to boost your skin’s moisture levels for a replenished, plumper-looking complexion.
Medik8 recommends:
Clinically proven to deliver hydration and improve skin barrier function for up to 72 hours after use[7] H.E.O Mask is our two-step overnight mask that takes a scientific approach to long-lasting moisturisation. Featuring the three key pillars of moisturisation: humectants, emollients and occlusives combined in an optimised ratio to replenish dehydrated and dry skin. Infused with hyaluronic acid, squalane, ceramides and NMFs (Natural Moisturising Factors) awaken to beautifully smooth, supple and plumper-looking skin. For supercharged hydrating results, apply Hydr8 B5 Intense before H.E.O. to add an extra boost of hydration.
Hydrate at night
While you’re sleeping, your skin naturally regenerates and repairs itself. A good night cream that is rich in ingredients that restore and nourish your skin’s barrier will help keep dehydrated skins healthy and radiant.
Medik8 recommends:
Proven to smooth the appearance of stubborn lines and wrinkles in just 7 days[8] Advanced Night Restore is our bestselling night cream that leaves dehydrated complexions feeling plump and pillow-soft. This ceramide-rich formula deeply nourishes and visibly firms the skin while you sleep to deliver youth-boosting results while supporting your skin’s natural overnight repair process. Enriched with our Midnight Antioxidant Complex, it works overnight to tackle free radical damage to reveal visibly smoother, firmer-looking skin by morning. Expertly designed to be used after vitamin A, layer it over Crystal Retinal for enhanced skin-smoothing and firming benefits.
This depends upon how dehydrated your skin is. However, if you find that you’re still presenting symptoms of dehydrated skin that have not improved in a few weeks after following the above treatment guidelines, we recommend that you contact your dermatologist as there might be an underlying issue that is causing your skin to become dehydrated.
There are a lot of contributing factors that might be causing your skin to become dehydrated. Things such as air conditioning and central heating, sun exposure, harsh skincare products and using too many skincare products at once/too frequently can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier - stripping it of essential moisture and leaving it feeling rough, flaky, irritated and appearing dull.
Dehydrated skin can often appear as dry skin, as both present similar symptoms. Dry skin is a skin type that means your skin isn’t producing enough oils to keep it moisturised. If you have a dry skin type, your skin may feel rough, tight, itchy and appear flaky with accentuated fine lines and wrinkles.
Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition which means that your skin is lacking in water. Any skin type can experience dehydrated skin, including those with oily and blemish-prone complexions. Signs that your skin is dehydrated can include increased sensitivity, itching, rough and flaky skin, an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, oiliness and a dull-looking complexion.
[1]Proven via independent clinical study on H.E.O. Mask. Tested on 35 participants over 4 weeks.
[2]Proven via independent clinical study on Press & Glow. Tested on 31 participants over 4 weeks.
[3]Proven via independent consumer study conducted over 4 weeks on 50 participants with sensitive, blemish-prone skins.
[4]Proven via independent clinical study on Hydr8 B5 Intense conducted over 4 weeks on 32 participants
[5]Proven via independent clinical study on C-Tetra Luxe conducted over 4 weeks on 36 participants
[6]Proven via independent consumer study conducted over 4 weeks on 50 participants, across all skin types and tones.
[7]Proven via independent clinical study on H.E.O. Mask. Tested on 35 participants over 4 weeks.
[8] Proven via independent consumer study conducted over 4 weeks on 53 participants