Do You Have Dehydrated Skin?
Most of us know what it feels like to be internally dehydrated, but we might not notice when our skin is dehydrated. General dehydration and skin dehydration go hand in hand. However, identifying dehydrated skin can be challenging. Dehydrated skin is often confused with dry skin and dehydrated skin can also be oily, which seems contradictory. Unfortunately, neglecting to treat dehydrated skin can lead to acne breakouts, irritation, dry patches, dullness, and more. The first step to rehydrating your skin is knowing what leads to skin dehydration in the first place and how to spot it.
What Causes Dehydrated Skin?
The same forces that dehydrate your body also dehydrate your skin — namely, a lack of water intake, diet, environment (i.e. dry air, extreme temperatures, excessive sun exposure), caffeine consumption, and more. Certain skin products, such as makeup and cleansers, and/or the incorrect use of such products can also dehydrate your skin. Each of these factors reduces the amount of water contained in your skin, which tells your body to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. This is why dehydrated skin can feel dry and oily simultaneously.
Symptoms of Dehydrated Skin
Knowing the causes of skin dehydration can help you avoid its symptoms. Despite your best efforts, your skin might still lack the amount of moisture it requires. This is why it’s important to look for key symptoms of dehydrated skin, which include:
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Flaky skin
- Inflammation
- Sensitive skin
- Congestion/clogged pores
- Dark circles under eyes
- Increased appearance/depth of wrinkles and lines
- Tight skin
- Dull skin tone
Of course, the above symptoms may also be related to other skin conditions and factors, such as eczema. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consider whether or not you and your skin may lack hydration, as this may be the root of your problem. One way to quickly check for dehydrated skin is to lightly pinch a small area of your skin near the cheek and notice if the skin wrinkles and doesn’t bounce back easily. Your dermatologist can also assess your skin for dehydration and/or dryness.
Additionally, note that severe dehydration can manifest in symptoms such as dizziness, dry mouth, faintness, darkened urine, and more. These signs must be taken seriously as they can point to a medical emergency.
What To Do About Dehydrated Skin
Once you’ve identified that your skin is dehydrated, you can begin taking steps to rehydrate your skin and body and prevent this from happening again. First, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each and every day. Next, consider making certain lifestyle changes, including:
- Moderate intake of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, sodium, and other foods and beverages that dehydrate your body
- Increase intake of vegetables, legumes, and fruit
- Try to get 7-9 hours of good sleep every night
- Exercise 3-5 days a week
- Avoid sun damage by staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors
- Quit smoking
Take the time to moisturize your skin every day with the right products for your skin type — your dermatologist can help you choose the best products for your skin. Exfoliate your skin often, and look into pre-moisturizing serums containing hyaluronic acid as well — these can help your skin maintain its moisture levels.
As the seasons change, your skin may go through changes, too. It’s important to keep your skin well-hydrated throughout every season, and the experts at Premier Dermatology Partners can help you do just that. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.