Dehydration

What are the signs of dehydrated skin?

Skin feels tight and uncomfortable – the complexion looks and feels plump and healthy when it is balanced and hydrated so when dehydration sets in the skin becomes tight and may not bounce back or feel elastic.

Fine lines are more pronounced – dehydration lines become apparent when there is a lack of moisture in the skin.  This network of tiny fine lines can appear all over the face but are typically evident around the eyes and on the forehead.

Tired and dull complexion – a shortage of water in the upper layers of the skin disrupts how light interacts
with the surface of the skin, scattering it rather than reflecting it evenly creating a flat, dull appearance. Dehydration can slow down cell turnover leading to a build-up of older, dull-looking cells on the surface.

Skin sensitivity and irritation – a lack of water impairs the natural barrier function which is essential for protecting skin from irritants and environmental stressors triggering inflammatory responses that result in redness, itchiness, and heightened sensitivity.

Prominent dark circles – thanks to the dull look of dehydrated skin dark circles can appear more noticeable and can give the eyes a sunken appearance. Dehydration can impair the micro-circulation, which means less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach the skin
leading to a pale and tired appearance.

Make-up doesn’t sit well – applying make-up can be challenging when water levels are low because dehydration affects the skin’s texture surface making it less smooth and less able to hold products evenly.

What are the root causes of skin dehydration?

Environmental factors – cold or dry weather, sun exposure, air conditioning or central heating can all deplete skin of moisture.

Compromised skin barrier – Harsh cleansers, hot water and over-exfoliation can disrupt the skin barrier and cause loss of water.

Lifestyle factors

Dehydration through not drinking enough water.
Poor diet
High caffeine or alcohol intake
Lack of sleep or chronic stress

Ageing – the natural decrease in skin’s ability to produce lipids and natural moisture factor actives as well as its ability to retain moisture will cause dehydration.

How can you combat dehydration?

Hydrate from the inside out Drink plenty of water, eat water rich foods and limit caffeine and alcohol.

Incorporate an essence into your daily routine.

An essence is a lightweight, fast-absorbing liquid that’s designed to deliver a high concentration of hydrating, brightening, and age-defying ingredients deep into
the skin.  The step between your toner and serum it preps your skin after cleansing and boosts the effectiveness of everything that is applied afterwards.

Target with hydrating ingredients 

Hyaluronic Acid – a powerful humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin.

Squalane – mimics the natural oils in the skin and strengthens the skin barrier.

Glycerine – a natural humectant which attracts moisture from the environment into the skin and binds it to the skin,

Ceramides – lipids that make up a large part of the skin barrier helping to retain moisture and protect against
external aggressors.

Aloe Vera – due to its high water content it has the ability to lock in moisture and restore hydration levels.

Cleanse with care.

Using a gentle well balanced cleanser can help maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier preventing further dehydration whilst prepping the skin to receive
hydrating ingredients.