Do You Have Dehydrated Skin? 4 Signs & 8 Tips to Recover

Itchiness. Tightness. Dullness. Does that describe how your face looks and feels right now? Chances are, you have dehydrated skin rather than dry skin. What’s the difference and what can you do to do help your skin recover? We’re here to help you spot the signs and create a simple regime to restore your skin’s moisture and radiance from the inside out.

How to know if your skin is dehydrated

At this time of year, a common question we get from women is, ‘Do I have dry or dehydrated skin?’ It’s an important difference. Here’s how we explain dry vs dehydrated and what it means for you.

Dry skin is a skin type. That means it’s a chronic rather than seasonal skin condition, and it’s caused by an inadequate production of the skin’s natural oils.

Dehydrated skin is a skin state. It’s a temporary skin condition and it’s caused by a lack of water in the skin—depleted by external factors such as the weather, temperature, diet and lifestyle.

While these two skin conditions are often confused, in part because they have similar symptoms and signs, there is a significant difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin.

What does dehydrated skin look like?

If your skin is dehydrated, you’re probably experiencing:

Itchy skin. A lack of water or moisture often causes the skin to tighten and crack, creating an itchy sensation.
Increased sensitivity. When your skin’s moisture barrier has been disrupted, it can’t effectively shield itself against external stressors such as bacteria and weather. This can more uncomfortable over time: The longer it’s dehydrated, the more sensitive your skin can become.
Dull or lacklustre appearance. In this defensive, dehydrated state, the turnover of skin cells is much lower. The older skin cells building up on the surface can make your skin look dull (and you are anything but dull so let’s fix that! we’re getting to what you can do about this temporary outward sign).
Dehydration lines. One of the surefire signs your skin is dehydrated rather than chronically dry is an abundance of fine lines, and not just around the eyes, but all over the face. Here’s our pinch test: Pinch your cheek and look closely—if your skin is dehydrated, a network of fine, triangular lines will appear. The good news? You’re just a few days away from skin that’s hydrated and has a healthy glow.

How do you treat dehydrated skin?

Here are our skincare regime tips for dehydrated skin:

1. Start with a gentle cleanser

It’s important not to strip your skin of any moisture. Opt for a water-based cleanser rich in nutrients designed to help retain moisture. Another BIG often missed approach at this step is making sure you are cleansing your face with cool to lukewarm rather than hot water.

TRY THIS: WHITE WILLOW PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL

2. Follow with a mist to lock in moisture

Misting is a crucial middle step between cleansing and moisturizing. It preps the skin for the next protects and allows them to absorb better.

TRY THIS: PINK COCONUT HYDRATING MIST

3. Protect the outermost layer with a face oil

Now that your skin is saturated with the mist, applying a face oil on top delivers moisture with staying power.

TRY THIS: ROSEHIP & BLACK CUMIN PERFECTING FACE OIL

4. Opt for a moisturizer that has humectants

Humectants act almost like moisture magnets, binding and retaining your skin’s moisture to give your skin that plump, healthy glow. Examples of humectants include hyaluronic acid, vegetable glycerin, aloe vera and honey.

TRY THIS: COCONUT DEW HYALURONIC MOISTURE CREAM

Learn more about how to refresh and rethink your skincare routine for the new year in our article How to start a skincare routine: Start with the basics.

Here are some of the most impactful (and simple) lifestyle tips to help treat dehydrated skin:

1. Drink water. This is the best cure for immediate hydration. Look for ways to make a habit of drinking enough water (a drink on the hour or every time you go to the restroom or check email).

2. Cut down on coffee and alcohol. These are ‘diuretics’ and they draw away your body’s water content.

3. Get better sleep. Whether you need a pre-bedtime yoga session or meditation or white noise or calming oils, find what will help you relax and get your best sleep. Studies show people who only sleep 5-7 hours wake up noticeably more dehydrated than people who get 7-9 hours of sleep.

4. Eat more plants. A plant-based diet means you are naturally eating more foods with higher water content, quenching your skin’s thirst and leaving you with a radiant complexion.

FOR ALL THE NUTRIENTS YOUR SKIN NEEDS MOST, COUNT ON OM ORGANICS LINE OF PLANT-BASED SKINCARE PRODUCTS. SHOP ONLINE BY SKIN TYPE OR INGREDIENT AND ENJOY HEALTHY, NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL SKIN YOU’LL LOVE.

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