Dehydrated Skin
 Is your dry and dehydrated skin a product of your lifestyle or of your environment? Are you using the wrong products on your skin? This fabulous and informative article from Adore Beauty explains everything your need to know about dehydrated skin.
Dehydrated Skin. What is it?
Dehydration is when your skin is lacking water. It is not the same thing as dryness, which means that your skin is not producing enough oil.
How can I tell if my skin is dehydrated?
Look in the mirror and smile widely. Does your skin crease into many tiny surface lines as it stretches from your nose to your cheeks?
Now relax your face. Place your index finger horizontally across your cheek, pointing at your nose. Now gently lift your skin upward with this finger. Do you see a lot of tiny lines, like crepe paper, on the bulge of skin that you have lifted up?
If you answered "yes" to these tests, your skin is probably dehydrated. Other visible symptoms of dehydrated skin are flakiness and a dull-looking complexion.
What makes skin dehydrated?
There are several causes of dehydration, some to do with what you are using on your skin, and others to do with your environment or lifestyle.
Your Cleanser.
Often the cause of dehydration is using a cleanser that is too harsh for your skin. Soap-based cleansers are a major culprit, because they are very alkaline, and as a result they tend to damage your skin's natural acidic protection layer, the acid mantle - which helps to seal in your skin's moisture balance. Switch to a soap-free cleanser, such as Baiame Lillypilly Facial Cleanser, Gorgeous Skin Breathe, Eleusian Foaming Gel Cleanser/Toner, or bod Face Cleanser.
Air Conditioning.
While air conditioning may make the climate a little more comfortable, your skin doesn't fare so well in the super-dry air that your air conditioner pumps out. This effect is particularly noticeable if you go on a long-distance flight, because the pressurised cabin adds to the dehydrating effect on your skin. If you work in air-conditioning, or are on a long flight, you should try and drink as much water as you can - at least the recommended 8 glasses a day, if not more - in order to compensate for the moisture you are losing. You can also use a moisture spritz (such as Baiame Wild Rosella Hydrating Mist, Eleusian Hydrosol Tonic Mist, or Urban Scents Hydrating Spray) to rehydrate your skin throughout the day.
Smoking.
As if you needed another reason to quit, smoking is very devitalising and dehydrating on your skin. And even if you're not a smoker yourself, remember that smoky environments, such as clubs and bars, can be just as rough on your skin. Always ask to be seated in the non-smoking section in restaurants, and try to persuade any smokers in your family to take their habit outside!
Medication.
Prescription medicines can do funny things to your skin. Always ask your doctor when he/she prescribes medication for you, what side-effects (if any) you may experience. Some acne medications in particular can have a very dehydrating effect on the skin. (Note: if your doctor or dermatologist has prescribed medication for skin treatment, make sure you ask what skincare products are okay to use during treatment.)
How can I treat dehydrated skin?
As mentioned above, check to make sure your cleanser isn't the culprit. If, after cleansing, your skin feels taut or itchy if you don't moisturise straight away, think about trying something different.
Exfoliate regularly. Sloughing off those dead skin cells will help to reduce the appearance of flakiness.
Use a moisturiser after cleansing - a cream is best for a dry skin, and oily skin will benefit most from a gel, which replaces lost water without adding more oil.
Apply your moisturiser to slightly damp skin. Not only will this seal in more water, it will also help your moisturiser go further.
Article compliments of Adore Beauty.
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