How to Fix Dehydrated Skin: Signs, Causes, and Remedies

Dehydrated skin is one of the most common yet often misunderstood skin concerns. Unlike dry skin, where your skin experiences low oil (sebum) production, dehydrated skin lacks water content. Dry skin type can be a result of genetics; however, dehydration is a skin concern that needs to be addressed with a proper skincare regimen. Here’s all you need to know:

Keynotes:

• Dehydration in skin occurs due to a lack of water in the skin. On the other hand, dry skin results from low oil production.
• Common symptoms of skin dehydration are tightness, dullness, and compromised skin barrier, often caused by weather changes, insufficient water intake, or harsh skincare products.
• You can use hydrating serums, moisturisers containing humectants, and gentle cleansers while practising skincare for dehydrated skin.

Dehydrated skin refers to a skin condition where there is a deficiency of water or hydration in the skin. If your skin feels sunken and has lost bounce, it’s probably dehydrated. You can pinch and hold a small amount of your skin for a few seconds. If it doesn’t bounce back after you let it go, it may be dehydrated.

This usually happens due to physical dehydration. Your body is largely made up of water, nearly 60%, which is why maintaining your hydration levels is crucial for the skin. Spending long hours in the sun, sweating, and forgetting to drink water can all lead to dehydration. It is often due to Trans-Epidermal Water Loss or TEWL, where water evaporates through the barrier of your skin and leaves it devoid of hydration. Losing water in such a way can also make your skin dull and more vulnerable to harm. Since dehydration in skin is a result of water loss, oily and combination skin types can get dehydrated too.

Tightness

One of the first signs of dehydration in skin is tightness. Your skin begins to feel rough, stretched, and uncomfortable with a visible dry texture. If your dehydration is accompanied by dryness, you may also see rough patches and flaking around the nose and cheeks. This textural imbalance is due to the loss of water from the skin’s surface, disrupting its smoothness.

Dullness

Water is essential for light reflection on the skin. When hydration is compromised, the skin may appear dull, uneven, or sunken. Remember, your skin hydration is directly linked to radiance and glow, which is why maintaining hydration levels in your skin and body is crucial.

Increased Sensitivity

Dehydrated skin may have a compromised skin barrier. This is why you may experience symptoms such as redness, itching, or burning. A compromised moisture barrier allows allergens and pollutants to penetrate the skin more easily, triggering irritation and inflammation.

Weather and Environmental Factors

Climate change, dry weather, and the summer season can significantly impact skin hydration. Low humidity, cold air, and wind can draw moisture from the skin. Conversely, air conditioning and central heating reduce indoor humidity, causing TEWL. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation also plays a role by impairing the skin barrier and oxidising lipids that retain moisture.

Inadequate Water Intake

Although the skin's hydration also depends on topical moisture retention, physical hydration plays a supportive role. Chronic dehydration reduces the turgidity and elasticity of your skin. Research suggests that increased water intake can improve superficial skin hydration, especially in individuals with low baseline water consumption.

Harsh Skincare Products

Overuse of foaming cleansers, alcohol-based toners, and exfoliants can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier. Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and denatured alcohol are commonly associated with increased TEWL and skin irritation. Dermatologists recommend using pH-balanced, sulphate-free cleansers to maintain the skin’s protective acid mantle.

Hydrating Serums and Moisturisers

Topical hydration is the first line of treatment when it comes to dehydration and dry skin. This is why it’s crucial to turn towards humectants when you’re trying to fix dehydration in your skin. Look for topical creams and serums with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that binds up to 1000 times its weight in water. You can also try glycerin, another humectant that draws water into the skin and supports barrier repair. If your skin barrier is compromised, you can also look for agents like ceramides and panthenol to reinforce the skin barrier and reduce water loss.

We Recommend: Anti-Pigment Skin Illuminating Serum and Anti-Pigment Dual Serum

Avoiding Harsh Cleansers

Use gentle, sulfate-free cleansers with hydrating ingredients such as allantoin, niacinamide, and panthenol. While treating dehydration in skin, it's best to avoid high-foaming or astringent cleansers, especially during colder months or for sensitive skin types. Cleansing twice daily is sufficient; remember that over-washing can increase dehydration in the skin.

Drinking More Water

While drinking water alone won’t resolve dehydrated skin, it complements a good skincare regimen. Experts recommend at least 2–2.5 litres of water per day to maintain systemic hydration. Consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables (e.g., cucumber, watermelon, and lettuce) and omega-3 fatty acids also helps improve the lipid barrier and reduce TEWL.

Follow PM Skincare

Your skin regenerates and repairs itself at night, which is why following a nighttime skincare regimen is crucial. Try to cleanse, tone, and moisturise your skin at night. Make sure you use moisturising under-eye creams and night creams that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on dehydrated skin.

We Recommend: Anti-Pigment Night Care and Anti-Pigment Dark Circle Eye Cream

Now that you know skincare for dehydrated skin and how to fix dehydrated skin, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Create your own rehydration regimen with Eucerin products and move towards glassy, hydrated, and plump skin.

1. What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

   Dry skin is often caused due to lack of natural oils or sebum. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, occurs due to lack of natural hydration or water content in the skin. Dry skin can be genetic however dehydration is considered as a skin concern.

2. How long does it take to rehydrate skin?

   Rehydration can take anywhere between a few days to weeks. It’s best to consult your dermatologist for a proper rehydration routine. It’s key to remain consistent and give your routine time to work.

3. What ingredients help with skin dehydration?

   Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, and ceramides can help you hydrate your skin and maintain your skin barrier to prevent dehydration.

4. Can over-exfoliation cause dehydration?

   Yes, over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier and trigger dehydration in the skin. It’s best to use gentle ingredients and gel-based cleansers.

• American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Dry skin: Signs and symptoms.
• Bioderma. (n.d.). Dehydrated skin: Why is my skin dehydrated?
• Cherney, K. (2023, October 23). Dehydrated skin: Symptoms, vs. dry skin, tests, treatments, and more. Healthline.
• Barrell, A. (2023, November 15). Dehydrated skin: Symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Medical News Today.