How To Treat Dehydrated Skin and Bring Back Your Natural Glow
At some point in 2020, I was so stressed out that it showed on my skin. And, as a beauty and wellness editor who values having healthy skin, that didn’t make me feel great. I started to notice more fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. What I didn’t realize, though, is that this was a result of having dehydrated skin. When I figured out how to treat dehydrated skin, I changed the game for myself.
Instead of feeling tight and rough to the touch, I got my plump, dewy skin back. You might be wondering how I did that, and I’m here to tell you my exact approach. Before getting to the goods, I always like to remind folks that their skin is beautiful no matter what. That said, sometimes dehydrated skin can be uncomfortable, itchy, or downright painful. If your skin feels tight or feels dry, you might desperately need to know how to treat dehydrated skin safely and effectively.
Below, I’ll discuss what dehydrated skin is, what it looks and feels like, and what causes it. To wrap up, we’ll cover a proper skincare routine for dehydrated skin.
How To Treat Dehydrated Skin
Not only will I cover the ins and outs of dehydrated skin, I’ll also answer questions about how long it takes to recover. And because I want to put your mind at ease, I’ll wrap up the post by answering frequently asked questions about dehydrated skin.
What Is Dehydrated Skin?
Dehydrated skin, simply put, is skin that lacks water—which we often refer to as moisture. Because this temporary skin condition weakens the skin’s barrier, your skin may be extra sensitive, tight, or dull. What’s worse is that anyone can have dehydrated skin, regardless of skin type.
But there is some good news: You can look for signs of dehydrated skin and target those concerns ASAP.
What Does Dehydrated Skin Look Like?
More often than not, dehydrated skin tends to look dull, dry, stretched out, and have visible fine lines. Sometimes, if the climate is cold or dry, it can also show some flakes or cracking. One less-common sign is darker or puffer skin under your eyes. If your skin is showing any of these signs, you may want to take a close look.
What Causes Dehydrated Skin
- Dry or stale air*
- Lack of sleep
- Insufficient water intake
- Harsh facial products
- Too much sun exposure with not enough SPF
*I travel a lot, and I have a list of air travel beauty essentials because I know that the stale, recycled air in planes is really bad for my skin.
How Long Does It Take For Dehydrated Skin To Recover?
Dehydrated skin can recover anywhere between two and four weeks, with the right skincare routine and lifestyle adjustments. However, there are some severe cases that could take up to eight weeks to heal. Conversely, there are cases that may take only a couple of days to improve. It really all depends on how religiously you stick to your routine.
What Does Dehydrated Skin Need?
Humectants
Because dehydrated skin is thirsty, you need to give it water—not oil. For this reason, you can’t just use oil-based products, which means that using an ointment, petroleum jelly, or a skin oil won’t bring your skin back. This knowledge is key when it comes to how to treat dehydrated skin.
Instead, try to look for skincare products that contain humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. Humectants are like water magnets, in that they draw moisture from the air to hydrate your skin. My go-to humectant is the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist.
Moisturizer
While moisturizer isn’t what hydrates your skin, it’s responsible for sealing moisture in and restoring your skin’s natural glow. Ideally, you want to look for products that contain ceramides, which are fatty acids that keep water from escaping your skin.\
I’m not big on expensive moisturizers. I honestly think that drugstore brands can get the job done without breaking the bank. The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which is thicker than the lotion, is amazing to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
SPF
I always say that SPF doesn’t get its due credit. Mostly, people know it for preventing skin cancer—but that’s actually a huge oversimplification. Sunscreen also fights against environmental aggressors that dehydrate and dull your skin. Applying (and reapplying!) sunscreen can also help keep your skin’s moisture. This is because many formulas now come with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
How To Fix Dehydrated Skin
Adhere to a hydrating skincare routine.
Since we just got done talking about what dehydrated skin needs, it’s important to underscore that. A good and hydrating routine will include humectants, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Avoid hot water.
You know how we tend to soak a disk in hot water when we want the grease residue to come off? A similar thing happens to our skin when we use hot water on it. But in this case, we don’t want to degrease our skin—or else it feels tight. Whenever possible, try to use warm or lukewarm water to wash your face. This helps keep your skin’s natural oils where they belong.
Use a humidifier.
Sometimes, your skin is dehydrated because there’s just no moisture in the room. And that’s where a humidifier comes in really handy. The best part is that your skin can absorb all the moisture it needs without you having to do any extra work of applying serums or toners. You could, quite literally, fix your dehydrated skin in your sleep.
Keep yourself hydrated.
As with any skin condition—or physical ailment, for that matter—you must try to work from the inside out. The environment will wreak havoc on your skin, so you have to drink water. This helps your skin have another deposit from which to draw moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?
While dry skin and dehydrated skin may sometimes look the same, the main difference is that dry skin requires oil while dehydrated skin requires water. For this reason, their treatments and skincare regiments will also differ.
Can alcohol dehydrate your skin?
Yes, alcohol can significantly dry out your skin because it tends to cause your body (and skin) to lose fluids. Unfortunately, this will also disrupt your skin barrier—a.k.a. make it harder for your skin to retain moisture.
Can coffee cause dehydrated skin?
I love a good cup of joe, but I have to admit that I’ve noticed my skin tends to look dehydrated when I’m drinking too much coffee. Like alcohol, coffee tends to dehydrate you.
Can dehydrated skin cause acne or breakouts?
Yes, dehydrated skin can directly lead to acne and breakouts. That’s because your body will overproduce oil in an attempt to get your skin hydrated. But instead, it’ll compromise your skin barrier and cause inflammation or acne.
Can oily skin be dehydrated?
Yes. Any skin type can be dehydrated. But the important thing is to remember that this condition is temporary.
