How to care for dehydrated skin? -

Dehydrated skin is skin that lacks water. This condition can affect all skin types, from oily to dry. What causes dehydrated skin? What are the signs of dehydrated skin? How can dehydrated skin be treated? How can I stop having dehydrated skin? Here are our tips and advice!

What causes dehydrated skin?

A whole range of factors can lead to dehydrated skin. These include external factors such as smoking or alcohol consumption, environmental factors such as sun exposure, cold, wind or pollution, and emotional factors such as stress or fatigue. When the skin lacks water, the hydrolipidic film (also known as the cutaneous barrier) that protects it from external aggression is damaged. The evaporation of water from the epidermis accelerates, leading to dehydration. This condition can affect all skin types (dry, normal, combination or oily). The skin's hydrolipidic film must therefore be reinforced by providing water, hydration and lipids, necessary for supple skin and a healthy dermis.

What are the signs of dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin feels tight and uncomfortable. Fine lines and redness may appear. Make-up doesn't hold up as well throughout the day. Skin can look dull and wrinkled, and dry patches can appear, especially in winter. Don't worry, there are plenty of products to help you overcome this problem, which is a temporary condition.

How to treat dehydrated skin

Logic would dictate a focus on hydration, but a moisturizing cream is not enough to care for dehydrated skin. This condition can't be treated with just one product. You'll need a complete skincare routine. Here's an example:

Cleanse your skin thoroughly with a cleansing gel or balm, and double-cleanse in the evening! Apply a moisturizing serum, with active ingredients such as panthenol or hyaluronic acid. The effect will be maximized if you apply it to damp skin. Then apply your moisturizing cream.

In the morning, continue this routine with sun protection. In the evening, don't hesitate to use an occlusive cream. This can be Vaseline or another greasy cream like La Roche Posay's Cicaplast. Some people also choose to use an oil, organic or otherwise, as the last step in their beauty routine. If you have acne-prone skin, beware of comedogenic oils such as coconut oil. The occlusive will trap the moisturizing care products overnight, so that they don't evaporate and act deep down on your skin.

Once or twice a week, apply a moisturizing mask. The one of your choice. There are excellent sheet masks with aloe vera or panthenol, which immediately soothe feelings of discomfort or tightness in dehydrated skin.

How to stop dehydrated skin?

Avoid aggressive cleansers. Do not use micro-grain scrubs on the face. Instead, use exfoliants such as lactic acid or mandelic acid sparingly. Remember to moisturize your skin often, of course. If you feel discomfort, spray your face with thermal spring water throughout the day. Skin recharged with water is healthy, supple and radiant.

By adopting a routine adapted to your dehydrated skin on a daily basis, you will gradually see the condition of your skin improve. Well-hydrated skin is also much more receptive to the active ingredients in the skincare products you apply. There's no point in buying lots of cosmetics if your dehydrated skin isn't treated. They will have little effect.

Finally, dehydrated skin should not be confused with dry skin. The two problems are quite different. Dehydration is temporary, and can be treated with appropriate cosmetic care. Dry skin, on the other hand, is a permanent condition.