Dehydrated Skin - Characteristics and Care
Dehydrated skin is not a skin type, but can be a temporary condition of any skin type. All skin types can become dehydrated temporarily or permanently and can be low in moisture.
This condition of the skin leads to:
- a constantly unpleasant feeling skin that sometimes or locally also feels tight
- fine lines and rough skin in areas which are low on moisture
- a dull complexion
- a 'normal' sebum production in the T zone
Dry or dehydrated ?
The terms "dry skin" and "dehydrated skin" are often used interchangeably with people mean the same thing. How does this work exactly?
Dry skin has a shortage of oil/sebum and a dehydrated skin has a shortage of moisture. Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a skin condition that can occur in everyone. For example, someone with oily skin can also have dehydrated skin at the same time. The confusing thing is that people with both dry and dehydrated skin can suffer from flakes, itching, sensitive, tight and dull skin.
Therefore an overview of the differences:
Characteristics
Dry skin
Dry skin is dry everywhere, also on hands and scalp, is very sensitive to premature aging and needs constant nourishment by means of oil-rich products. Dry skin has a thin structure and very fine pores. In addition, dry skin often has a dull appearance and immediately feels tight after washing. Dry skin also has a tendency to wrinkle and rarely suffers from pimples.
Dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin can feel oily and dry at the same time. This skin condition is often of a temporary nature and may arise due to environmental factors such as weather or nutrition. With a low-moisture skin, the natural protective layer of the skin (the lipid layer / fat layer) is too low, causing the moisture from the skin to evaporate. Dehydrated skin therefore needs constant hydration and is mainly recognizable by fine lines, flakes and a tightness. A tight shine is often visible on the forehead and cheeks. In addition, impurities can be a sign of dehydration.
Causes dehydrated skin
Many people suffer from dehydrated skin. The most common causes are:
- Use of incorrect skin care products that affect the protective layer of the skin.
- Rough weather conditions - hot, cold and dry air.
- Seasonal changes - symptoms of dehydrated skin are often more severe in winter or summer.
- Excessive sunlight can accelerate skin aging and increase the sensitivity to dehydration.
- Too much, too long and/or too hot bathing or showering: this removes the lipids that form the skin barrier.
- Use of medicine: Certain medicines (eg blood pressure medication) and medical treatments (eg radiation therapy, dialysis or chemotherapy) are known to cause dehydrated skin as a side effect.
- The moisture content of the skin is also partly determined by hereditary factors.
- Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, can cause dehydrated skin.
- As people age, the ability of the skin to produce perspiration and lipids diminishes due to a reduction in the effect of sebaceous and sweat glands in the skin.
- A shortage of nutrients, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins can increase the chance of dehydrated skin.
Prevention and treatment
- Avoid using a lot of water in the face, this will dry out the skin!
- Avoid dry air by spending less time outside in hot and cold weather and by using a humidifier indoors when the heating is on.
- Dont' shower too long nor too hot.
- Drink enough water (1 to 2 liters per day): this has a positive effect on your skin from the inside.
- Clean your skin with mild products that do not dry out your skin.
- Ingredients such as collagen and hyaluronic acid can greatly improve the moisture balance in your skin.
- The skin around the eyes is often low in moisture, so use specific Eye Contour Care.
- Use a moisturizing face cream twice a day and a moisturizing face mask once a week.