All you need to know about Dehydrated Skin
What is dehydrated skin?
Dehydrated skin is when the skin loses too much water which can cause the skin to become more irritated and sensitive. It can affect any skin type, whether that is dry, oily, combination, sensitive or normal and is a temporary skin condition.
How can you tell if your skin is dehydrated?
Dehydrated skin can feel tight, rough, sensitive and feel uncomfortable. The skin can also feel itchy with flaky or scaly patches on the face.
What causes dehydrated skin?
Water accounts for around 65% of an adults total body weight and plays a crucial role in supporting the hydration of our skin.
The outer layer of our skin is naturally protected by a hydrolipidic film to prevent Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), but when the skin's physiological barrier becomes impaired, evaporation of water from the skin increases. This causes the skin to become dry.
Different factors can affect our skin barrier and cause dehydration including:
- Environmental factors (cold, wind, pollution, UV rays)
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Tobacco or alcohol
- Too harsh skincare
- Certain medications.
Is there a difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is a skin type where the skin lacks natural oils and lipids and so the skin is unable to hold moisture in and keep impurities out effectively. This can cause skin to feel rough, flaky, itchy and dry.
Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition caused from a lack of water in the top layer of the skin (Stratum Corneum) and can affect all skin types.