What causes skin dehydration and
how can it be prevented?
What is
DEHYDRATED SKIN?
Dehydrated skin means that your skin is lacking water. It happens when your skin doesn’t have enough essential moisture, which can leave it feeling dry and itchy and looking a bit dull.
This skin concern can lead to an uneven tone and complexion, which makes dehydration lines under your eyes, on your forehead and wrinkles more noticeable.
The good news is that dehydrated skin can be effectively tackled with a few simple lifestyle changes. By focusing on topping up and maintaining hydration, you can help restore your skin’s natural balance and comfort.
Dehydrated skin vs
DRY SKIN
Dehydrated skin is often confused with dry skin. Dry skin is caused by a lack of oil production, which can result in tightness and flakiness.
It’s considered a specific skin type, along with normal, combination and oily skin. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is caused by a lack of water, which can lead to dullness and discomfort.
It’s important to understand what dehydrated skin looks like and the difference between these two concerns so you can give each one the right kind of care.
What causes
SKIN DEHYDRATION?
Dehydrated skin is caused by not having enough water content in the skin, and there are lots of everyday factors that can contribute to this.
Here are 4 common causes of skin dehydration:
- Weather Conditions:Exposure to harsh weather conditions, including cold winds, low humidity and excessive heat, can strip your skin of moisture.
- Inadequate Hydration:Not drinking enough water or often having dehydrating drinks like alcohol or lots of caffeine can leave your skin thirsty too.
- Hot Showers:Long, hot showers or baths can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture.
- Neglecting a Gentle Skincare Routine:Using skincare products with harsh ingredients can upset your skin’s natural moisture balance and leave it feeling tight.
What are the
SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATED SKIN?
Understanding dehydrated skin symptoms is key if you want to treat and care for your skin effectively.
Here are 7 common symptoms to look out for on your face and body:
- Dryness:Dehydrated skin often feels dry to the touch and lacks moisture, which can leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable.
- Itchiness:Dehydration can lead to itching and a feeling of irritation on the skin’s surface.
- Dullness:Skin may look dull and tired, lacking the healthy glow you’d normally associate with well-hydrated skin.
- Uneven Skin Tone:Dehydration can throw your skin off balance, leading to an uneven complexion with possible patches of dullness or areas of hyperpigmentation.
- Increased Visibility of Fine Lines:Dehydrated skin tends to make fine lines and wrinkles look more obvious, especially around areas that move a lot, like your eyes and mouth.
- Under-Eye Circles:
Lack of hydration can contribute to the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and dehydration lines under the eyes, giving you a tired, worn-out look.
- Dry Lips:
Dehydration affects the delicate skin on your lips too, causing dryness, chapping and flaking.
By recognising these signs early, you can take simple steps to get on top of the problem.
5 TIPS TO HELP WITH
DEHYDRATED SKIN
- Wash with lukewarm water:Hot water can make your skin feel even more dehydrated. When you’re washing your face and body, try to use lukewarm water instead.
- Use gentle care products:Harsh products can strip your skin of moisture. Instead, go for gentle products that help to hydrate and moisturise your skin, leaving it looking and feeling soft and nourished.
- Use gentle exfoliators:Although they’re popular for removing dead skin cells, exfoliating brushes and tools can be irritating to your skin. It’s better to use a gentle exfoliator that suits your skin and doesn’t cause extra irritation.
- Use a hydrating moisturiser:Try not to rely only on an oil-based moisturiser. Choose a hydrating moisturiser and apply it both morning and night for ongoing nourishment and a more radiant-looking complexion.
- Hydrate from within:Make sure you drink enough water every day. Hydration starts from the inside out, so aim for around 2 litres of water a day to replenish and nourish your body, helping to support healthy-looking skin.
Skin care to help
DEHYDRATED SKIN
It’s important to give your skin the care it needs, especially if it’s dehydrated. Here are a few simple skincare steps you can follow to help improve dehydrated skin.
Gentle Cleansing: Use a gentle cleanser that removes impurities effectively without stripping away your skin’s natural moisture. Look for products that leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed and balanced, not dry or tight.
Products like NIVEA Gentle Cleanser Cream Wash are great for a gentle cleanse – this cleanser is made with Natural Almond Oil to help purify your skin softly.
Replenishing Toner: Add a rehydrating toner to your skincare routine to restore and maintain moisture levels. Choose toners enriched with hydrating ingredients to soothe and hydrate your skin, prepping it for the next steps in your routine. Hydrating toners like NIVEA Rose Care 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner with Organic Rose Water can help to hydrate the skin and support a clear, balanced-looking complexion.
Effective products for dry skin can also give you essential moisture and nourishment, helping to bring back a healthy, radiant glow.
Nourishing Masks and Treatments: Treat your skin to nourishing masks and targeted treatments designed to give your hydration levels a boost. Look for masks with hydrating and soothing ingredients like the NIVEA Q10 Anti-wrinkle Power Serum Infused Firming Sheet Mask. This mask contains a unique Q10 formula that helps provide moisture and revitalise your complexion.
If you’re noticing dehydration lines under your eyes, on your forehead or around your smile, try NIVEA Q10 Targeted Wrinkle Filler Serum to help reduce the look of stubborn fine lines.
Hydration-Boosting Moisturisers: Pick moisturisers that are specially formulated to hydrate and nourish your skin. Look for products that help to replenish moisture, support the skin’s natural barrier and provide long-lasting hydration.
- A day cream gives essential moisture and hydration throughout the day, helping to support your skin’s natural barrier and combat dryness. NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Extra Nourish 60+ Replenishing Day Cream SPF 15 contains 100% organic Argan Oil to help keep your skin hydrated.
- A night cream offers deep moisturisation and nourishment while you sleep, helping to restore and refill moisture levels overnight. NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Power Revitalising Night Cream contains NIVEA’s unique Q10 formula that helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Sun Protection: Sun exposure can further dehydrate your skin, so protecting it is really important for keeping moisture levels topped up. Shield your skin from harmful UV rays by using a sunscreen with a high SPF.
Daily SPF helps prevent further damage, allowing your skin to hold on to its natural moisture and hydration. NIVEA SUN UV Face Q10 Anti-Age Sun Cream SPF 50 can help to prevent and reduce the appearance of sun-induced fine lines and wrinkles.
By following these prevention steps and building NIVEA’s hydrating skincare products into your routine, you can improve dehydrated skin over time and enjoy a healthier, more radiant-looking complexion.
Why
USE Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps to recharge and rejuvenate your skin. The NIVEA Q10 range has been carefully developed to meet the needs of different skin types, helping to protect skin cells from damage and slow down visible signs of ageing. Adding these products into your skincare routine can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Dehydrated skin on the
LEGS & BODY
It’s not only your face that can suffer from dehydrated skin – dehydrated skin on your legs and the rest of your body is also really common.
To deal with dehydrated skin on your body, body care products are often more effective, as the skin on your body tends to be thicker and needs more hydration. Take a look at NIVEA Q10 Firming Rich Body Lotion, which contains Vitamin C and a Q10 formula to help hydrate and give your skin a smoother feel.
Dehydrated skin
TAKEAWAY
Dehydrated skin happens when your skin cells don’t have enough water, which can lead to dryness, itchiness and a dull appearance. The positive news is that you can help treat dehydrated skin with a few lifestyle tweaks. By focusing on drinking enough water, moisturising regularly and protecting your skin properly, you can restore and maintain healthier hydration levels. If your symptoms carry on or get worse, it’s important to speak to a medical professional.