5 Characteristics of Dehydrated Skin & How to Fix Them Fast
Key Takeaways
- 5 characteristics of dehydrated skin are:
- Dullness
- Tight and Flaky skin
- Itchiness
- Enhanced fine lines
- Prominent dark circles
- You can fix dehydrated skin fast by following a hydrating skincare routine and making a few lifestyle adjustments.
Is your skin looking tight, dull, and flaky, and you have no clue why? It could be dryness, stress, or even hormones. But sometimes the real issue is simpler. Your skin is just dehydrated.
So how do you figure it out? That is exactly what we will cover in this blog. I will walk you through 5 characteristics of dehydrated skin that you can check for yourself. Once you know the signs, treating it becomes way easier. And you can easily get that plump, dewy skin back.
Difference Between Dehydrated and Dry skin
Nature: Dry skin is a skin type you’re born with, whereas dehydrated skin is a temporary condition. Any skin type, whether dry, oily, or sensitive, can experience dehydration.
Cause: Dry skin naturally produces less oil, whereas dehydrated skin lacks water in the outer layer of the epidermis.
Treatment: Dry skin requires thick moisture-locking ingredients, and dehydrated skin needs water-binding skincare to restore balance.
Why does this matter? It is because if your skin is dehydrated and you keep treating it like dry skin, piling on heavy cream, you won’t fix the problem.
Pinch Test For Dehydrated Skin
A simple pinch test can help you determine if your skin is lacking hydration. The process goes like this.
- Pinch a small section of your skin on your cheek, back of your hand, or abdomen.
- Hold for a few seconds.
- Release the pinch and observe.
- If the skin goes back to its original state immediately, your skin is well hydrated.
- And if it takes a little longer to snap back, the skin is probably dehydrated.
But here is the catch. The pinch test is not always accurate for everyone. For example, as we age, our skin naturally becomes less elastic and takes time to bounce back. It can also be less reliable for children and people with certain medical conditions.
So, it is important to know the classic 5 characteristics of dehydrated skin to spot the condition early and treat it effectively.
Spot the Signs: 5 Characteristics of Dehydrated Skin You Shouldn’t Ignore
Dull-looking Skin
Dull and lackluster skin is one of the classic signs of dehydration. When your skin loses water too quickly, the surface becomes rough. And a rough skin surface does not reflect light well, resulting in a dull appearance.
Another reason for dullness is a weak skin barrier. When it is compromised, the skin loses elasticity and can not work at its best. Cell renewal slows down, and buildup forms on the skin surface. The result is a tired, non-radiant complexion.
Tight and Flaky Skin
Another symptom of skin dehydration is tight, flaky skin with a papery texture.
The lack of water in the skin makes it less flexible, which creates an uncomfortable pulling sensation. That is why your skin feels tight when dehydrated.
As for the flakiness, it happens due to a weak skin barrier. When your barrier is compromised, your skin does not exfoliate properly. The dead skin cells shed unevenly and start to accumulate on the surface. This leads to the classic flakiness and rough texture we associate with dehydrated skin.
One crucial thing to notice here is that your skin can appear flaky and shiny at the same time.
For example, you might see a sheen in the T-zone when your skin is parched. It is because oily skin type can also get dehydrated and may produce extra oil to compensate for the loss of water.
Itchiness
Dehydrated skin often has an impaired lipid barrier in the outermost layer.
When the barrier is damaged, it cannot protect against environmental stressors. It allows pollutants, bacteria, and allergens to enter the skin, causing itchiness and redness.
As irritants get in, they trigger the nerve fibers below the skin. Nerve fibers become sensitive and send signals that create a sensation of irritation and constant itching.
Enhanced fine lines
Ok, so fine lines on your face are another telltale sign of dehydrated skin.
When your skin lacks moisture, it loses its plumpness and flexibility. And you end up with crepey lines, often around your eyes and forehead.
Not to be confused with wrinkles, which form as we age, fine lines caused by dehydration are temporary. They fade away once you properly rehydrate your skin.
Prominent Dark Circles
When your skin loses its moisture, the area beneath the eyes becomes thinner and more transparent. So, the underlying dark blood vessels become more visible, giving your under-eye area a sunken and darker appearance.
Dehydration also slows down the blood circulation. Poor circulation causes deoxygenated blood to pool under the eye, resulting in a bluish brown tint.
How To Fix Dehydrated Skin
Follow a Hydrating Skincare Routine
A hydrating skincare routine helps lock in moisture and restore your skin’s water levels. A gentle cleanser, soothing serum, and hydrating moisturizer are the essentials that repair your skin barrier and seal in hydration.
Try to avoid harsh, alcohol-based products that would strip the natural oil from your skin.
Tip: Moisturize your skin when it is slightly damp. This way, the water on the skin gets trapped for prolonged hydration.
Your skin is also slightly softer when damp, and the product you apply is absorbed more effectively.
Use a Humidifier Indoors
Harsh climate changes can disrupt skin hydration.
In winter, the cold, dry air and indoor heating systems pull moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry.
In the summer, the air-conditioned rooms can have the same effect on your skin.
A humidifier restores the moisture balance of the environment by adding water vapor. That is why it is best to use a humidifier in rooms with air conditioning or heating.
Stay Hydrated Naturally
Not drinking enough water is one of the major causes of skin dehydration. Make sure to sip water regularly to maintain overall body hydration.
Furthermore, try to include foods rich in water and healthy fats to improve your skin health and function.
Lastly, limit beverages like caffeine and alcohol as they are diuretics and increase fluid loss from your body.
Sun Protection
Prolonged sun exposure isn’t your friend if you want to get a dewy, hydrated skin.
Firstly, it causes excessive water loss from your body in the form of sweating. Second, the harsh UV rays damage your skin barrier, which retains moisture and protects against external irritants.
So, to fix dehydrated skin caused by the sun, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you step outside. Also, try to avoid spending too much time under direct sunlight.
Exfoliate Wisely
Dehydration and a damaged skin barrier can slow down the natural exfoliation process of the skin. So it is necessary to use a gentle exfoliator to remove all the dead cell buildup on your face. It will not only reveal the fresh skin inside but also allow the hydrating product to absorb more effectively.
Wrap Up
Dehydration can affect any skin type, whether it is dry, oily, or somewhere in between. By learning the key signs and symptoms of dehydrated skin, you can employ the correct hydrating strategies and get that glowy face back.
