How to recognize dehydrated skin and above all take care of it?

Lack of brightness, discomfort and flaking are among the symptoms of skin dehydration. Here are some tips for plumping your skin and keeping it well hydrated every day.

There dehydration is a skin condition which affects skin with a tendency to be oily, combination or dry. But how to recognize it and above all how to treat it? Here are some tips for finding skin as supple and plump as a baby’s bottom.

What is dehydrated skin?

Unlike oily skin or even dry skin, dehydrated skin is not a separate skin type. It is a temporary condition that can affect all skin types and to which it is often linked external environmental elements (cold, pollution, UV rays, etc.) and/or emotional (stress, tiredness, etc.). But also to a hormonal change drastic or the use of cosmetic products that are too aggressive and stripping.

Skin dehydration is characterized by a feeling of discomfort and tightness after cleansing or after prolonged exposure to cold or UV rays. The lack of shineA rough touch AND the appearance of scales (thin strips of skin that separate from the epidermis).

Even the small buttons are part of the winning lotand prolonged dehydration can lead to the appearance of fine wrinkles around the eyes, on the forehead or in the area of the nasolabial folds.

Skin dehydration, where does it come from?

Let’s go back to our old SVT lessons… Water is an essential element for life and is the main constituent of the human body. According to the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), it represents 65% of the total weight of an adult.

This water is essential for the proper functioning of the body but also for the health of the skin, composed of 70%. Most of this water is found in the dermis, the innermost layer of the skin, and moves towards the surface, impregnating the different layers by diffusion.

This natural phenomenon of skin evaporation is called Insensible Water Leak (PIE) and, when the skin is in perfect shape, it is slowed down by the hydrolipidic film, this mixture of sweat, sebum and dead cells that protects and hydrates the most superficial layer of the epidermis.

Except that when the hydrolipidic film is altered, it no longer fulfills its role as a protective barrier. Result: the water evaporates faster and the skin becomes dry and irritable and sometimes can even secrete excess sebum in some places such as the T-zone. In short, it is a mess but luckily, when you look at it, you see, this mess can be short-lived…

Dry or dehydrated skin, what’s the difference?

Although the symptoms are very similar, dehydrated skin should not be confused with dry skin. Furthermore, it is a phenomenon that is often caught late because it is assimilated to drought. Dehydration is temporary and reversible while dry skin is a permanent condition mainly of genetic origin.

Generally, dry skin is always more or less tense after a shower or when a cold starts to appear.

Spread the word: the latter can be dehydrated, but it is also possible for combination, normal or oily skin.

The two problems are not treated in the same way and applying a cream labeled “dry skin” on dehydrated skin will not solve the problem of poor fixation and water loss, as well as the risk of clogging pores if it is formulated. he’s too rich. Unless you have dry, dehydrated skin, of course.

Dehydrated skin: good habits to adopt

You will have understood, dehydration is a temporary reversible state, which means that by adopting new habits and using suitable cosmetic products, you will be able to regain plump and smooth skin without too much difficulty. .

Daily, a few small efforts can already give good results on the quality of the skin. Drinking lots of water (at least 1.5 liters of water every day, unless contraindicated by your doctor), avoiding hot baths or even avoiding overheated or excessively air-conditioned environments are all small measures that will have long-term beneficial effects.

If you have some small acne spots, think about targeted treatments and avoid excessively abrasive and sulphate treatments which would end up corroding the hydrolipidic film.

A delicate and pro-hydration beauty routine

In your bathroom it is not necessary to completely overturn your current beauty routine: a few small additions or changes will be enough to rebalance your skin. It’s up to you to choose the options best suited to your needs/habits.

Every day, to remove makeup and cleanse your face, Think about shock trio to fight dehydration : double cleansing (oil and gel or cleansing milk) + chemical exfoliant to free the pores from dead cells and dirt + hydration.

Right before your moisturizer, you can also apply a serum with a high dose of hyaluronic acid or an aloe vera gel by applying light pressure all over your face. These active ingredients have been recognized for many years for their smoothing and plumping properties. As for moisturizing creams, favor water-based formulas that will quench the skin’s thirst.

In the evening, don’t hesitate to replace your usual cream with a vegetable oil rich in essential fatty acids to help the skin barrier reconstitute and retain water in the skin tissues.

Occasionally, once or twice a week, you can also give your skin a true bath of youth by leaving a hydrating mask applied, without forgetting the neck and décolleté area. Finally, as soon as you feel your skin feeling tight, after cleansing or at any time of the day, don’t hesitate to do it spray a hydrating mist to restore its elasticity and fill it with water.