Everything you need to know about dehydrated Skin

As we know there are several skin types. Dehydrated skin is more of a skin condition that most people face now days. Today we will discuss everything that we should know about dehydrated skin in general. Let’s discuss following things about dehydrated skin.

- What is Dehydrated skin?
- What is Skin Barrier & TEWL?
- Causes of Dehydrated skin in various skin types.
- Common symptoms of Dehydrated Skin
- How to solve the problem Dehydrated skin?
- What ingredients to look for in your skincare for Dehydrated skin?

DEHYDRATED SKIN

Dehydrated skin usually is a major skin concern that makes you feel uncomfortable & give rise to many other skin related issues. Many a times dehydrated skin is just a temporary condition that can be easily catered by using right kind of skincare product & by bringing a little change in skincare routine.

 Tightness, flaking, itching, Dullness, stinging and cracking usually happens due to dehydrated skin. ‘De’ means removal & ‘Hydration’ means absorption of water. So it is that condition when water is removed from the skin. This condition is also called TEWL (Transepidermal water loss).

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WHAT IS SKIN BARRIER & TEWL?

TEWL means Trans Epidermal Water Loss. The top most layer of our skin is called ‘EPIDERMIS’. This layer of skin binds & store water molecules to keep skin refresh, elastic & plump. Our skin tends to lose Hydration or water molecules from epidermis naturally & due to many other external factors. But our skin has its own barrier function to protect this loss from happening.

The top layer of our skin consists of various sebaceous glands that produces sebum or oil. This layer also comprise of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. All this together acts as a SKIN BARRIER that protects skin from losing this essential Hydration. These oil or lipids makes a protective layer, creating a barrier to protect skin from dehydration.

Removal of skin’s protective barrier leads to TEWL. This is the major reason for formation of Early signs of ageing like Fine lines & wrinkles. TEWL also makes skin appear dull, dehydrated & sagged. Excessive TEWL & damage to the skin’s natural barrier gives rise to severe skin conditions like - eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

CAUSES OF DEHYDRATED SKIN IN VARIOUS SKIN TYPES.

So, the question arises people with dry skin type can have dehydrated skin? The answer to this question is ‘NO’. It is a misconception that only people with dry skin faces the condition of Dehydrated skin. Removal of skin’s natural layer that prevents Loss of hydration from skin leads to dehydrated skin. It can happen in all skin types.  Let’s discuss how Dehydration happens in various skin types.

Dry Skin & Dehydrated Skin

Dry and dehydrated skin are two different terms that we often get confused with. As discussed above oil glands on our epidermis produces oil to protect skin from TEWL. People with dry skin have fewer oil glands & that is why they are more prone to moisture loss. Without This loss of moisture or hydration from the skin results dry skin to become Dehydrated. So, it is clear that skin with less oil glands have dry skin & skin with loss of water is dehydrated skin. Dry skin is a skin type that if not taken proper care can lead to Dehydrated skin too. This is the reason that many people who have dry skin may also experience dehydrated skin.

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Oily or combination Skin & Dehydrated Skin

Oily, combination or acne-prone skin may develop dry skin in certain areas. People with oily skin tend to produce excessive sebum. To get rid of this greasy & oily feel they use face wash excessive times. Not only this since they have oily skin, they tend to eliminate the most important step after facewash which is moisturizing. So, ultimately excessive face washing removes skin’s protective barrier which is not compensated with application of moisturizer. This, finally leaves skin naked without any skin barrier & causes TEWL to happen easily. This makes skin dehydrated & dull.

The skin’s barrier can also get damaged by over exfoliation, overuse of active skincare ingredient, genetics, and environmental factors.

Common symptoms of Dehydrated Skin

The most common symptoms of dehydrated skin are:

- Stretchy feel in skin
- Dull & sagged skin
- Itching & Flakiness
- Rough skin
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Skin Cracking

How to solve the problem of Dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin can be solved by correcting the lifestyle & bring a change in skincare regime & type of products used. Practicing following things will help in prevention & curing of dehydrated skin.

- Use right kind of moisturizer according to your skin type. People with oily skin skip moisturizing as they find that it makes their skin further oily & sticky. Rather than skipping this crucial step of skincare use a light non-sticky gel-based moisturizer that not only hydrates the skin but also leaves a dewy matt finish.

- Always use hydrating gel creams & toners twice daily to replenish the lost hydration & make skin look refreshed, dewy & plump.

- Avoid taking Hot showers as it will wash off the essential skin barrier layer on the epidermis. If it is necessary to do so apply Vaseline or thick cream before taking hot shower.

- Do not skip the important step of moisturization specially after facewash. Eliminating this important step will leave the skin naked without any barrier & will cause TEWL.

- Do not over exfoliate your skin using abrasive exfoliators.  These exfoliators may damage the skin barrier.

- Do not expose skin in sun for long hours without using any sun protecting cream. This will aggravate TEWL & will leave the skin dull & dehydrated.

- Do not use chemical Peel products excessively. Always follow the instruction & direction for use carefully before using them. Do not over do them as they may damage our epidermis & make it sensitive that aggravates water loss from our skin.

- Do not over wash your face if you have oily skin. Just use the right facewash that not only cleanses your face but also helps in controlling the production of excessive sebum.

- As we age our skin’s repair mechanism tends to reduce so always choose the right skincare products that helps in solving your skin concerns & are specially made according to your skin type.

- Humidifier can also be used in rooms in dry weathers to prevent loss of moisture from skin.

- Keep your skin fully covered while going out in sun on a hot sunny day.

- Use mild sulphate free cleansers for face, body & hair that does not strip of excess oil from the skin & maintain our skin’s natural barrier.

- Drink ample water & eat fresh fruits & vegetables to hydrate skin & body.

What ingredients to look for in your skincare for Dehydrated skin?

Skincare products that specially hydrates the skin are best to use as they help in making the skin look plump & younger looking. The ingredients that promotes Hydration levels & bind water molecules in skin are –

- Hyaluronic Acid
- Peptides
- Niacinamide & Panthenol (Vitamin B3 &B5)
- Sugar alcohols like – Xylitol, glycerine, sorbitol etc.
- Honey
- Aloe vera
- AHAs
- Amino Acids
- Ceramides etc
- Acetamidoethoxyethanol

A well hydrated skin is the foundation for healthy & younger looking skin. Beside taking proper care & using right kind of skincare products one should not for get to hydrate the body by drinking ample water & eating fresh fruits & veggies.

‘Hydrated skin is as important as Hydrated Body.’

By NIDHI GUDWANIAuthor is CEO at SKINAYU ORGANICS

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