Dehydrated Skin? 6 Solutions You Can Use

Let’s face it -- flaky, dry skin isn’t a good look on anyone. Yet it’s an almost constant reality throughout the winter months. From low humidity and cold temps to cranking the heater (which, in turn, dries out the air in your home), skin can be in for a rough ride all winter long. 

Dry skin is nothing new – we’ve been combatting this uncomfortable side effect for years. But did you know you could also have dehydrated skin? If your skin simply isn’t getting enough water – from the inside out – you could be suffering from dehydration. 

In many cases, dehydrated skin can be confused with dry skin. (Or worse, you could have both but only be treating one of the problems at hand.) 

Check out these tips below and then start implementing them today with the help of Alleyoop.

Skin Dehydration vs. Dry Skin 

First things first, let’s identify the biggest differences in your skin and its lack of moisture. The better you understand what’s causing your skin issues, the better you can treat them. 

Pinch your cheek and see what happens. If it stays nice and round, your skin is likely hydrated. However, if it dents or can lose its shape, your skin may be dehydrated. In addition, dehydrated skin usually shows larger and deeper wrinkles, darker circles under the eyes, and an overall tired look.

Dehydrated skin can leave you looking paler and “older” than normal. That’s also why you may appear sullen when sick or not getting enough water – your skin is a direct reflection of your health! 

In contrast, dry skin is usually caused by a lack of oil in your glands. This causes the skin to itch, flake, and become ashy or easily inflamed. 

The two ailments may seem similar, but they should be treated differently. Take a look at how you can help treat your parched skin below. 

Drink More Water! 

Are you suffering from dehydrated skin? You’re likely consuming less water than usual. Pay attention and give your body what it needs. You should also avoid drinks loaded with tons of sugar or caffeine, which can further dry out your body of moisture. 

Instead, stick to hydrating fluids, like water or electrolytes, and add more fluid to your body with a drink that specializes in hydration.

Remember to consume more water when you’re dealing with the following issues, such as: 

• Feeling especially thirsty
• When the weather is dry and cold (and when it’s hot!)
• When the humidity is low
• When you are sick

Drinking more fluids is a great way to help rehydrate your skin. This is a healthy option all-around and one of the easiest to achieve. 

Moisturize 

Have you applied lotion today? If not, when was the last time you applied? When skin is craving more hydration, applying moisturizer directly to the source is one of the fastest ways to achieve that. 

Consider adding a moisturizer to your daily skincare routine several times a day. This can help with the itching and flaking skin while helping plump those cheeks back into their previous hydrated state. 

Don’t fret if you don’t love moisturizing your skin (yes, those people are out there). You don’t have to keep up with this schedule. Simply re-apply as needed. However, continue lathering on the lotion at least once a day. 

Get a Humidifier 

If your skin is lacking in the moisture department, another step you can take is to get a humidifier. Did you know that dry air can zap your skin of its moisture without even trying? 

There are a few common culprits, but it is most likely due to the harsh, dry air in the winter or when you’re running indoor heat or a fireplace. And if you’re experiencing all of the above, don’t skimp on extra hydration!

You definitely need to incorporate moisture back into your air with a humidifier. Opt for a cool-mist version that will help hydrate your skin in the background. Keep one on while you sleep or whenever you’re spending the day at home. It can help create the added benefit of boosting your respiratory system throughout the cold winter season.

But don’t just take our word for it! Grab hold of a humidifier for your living experience and feel the difference for yourself. 

Exfoliate More Often 

Get rid of the dead skin and let the healthy layers shine. Do this with regular exfoliation to help your skin shed its itchy counterparts at least once a week. Besides, if you are itchy from dry or dehydrated skin, think about how good it will feel to slough off the excess. 

Exfoliating can help your best skin cells shine. 

Don’t over-exfoliate your body (yes, that too is a thing). But helping your skin along by removing dead layers can be a great way to improve your overall skin health. 

Besides, once you moisturize, you’re adding lotion to the fresh, healthy layer that has a better chance of absorbing. This is a two-fold step that can greatly help improve the moisturization status of your skin. 

Start With Serum 

Lotion is moisturizing, but serum is hydrating. By placing just one more step into your daily routine, you can greatly increase the level of moisture within your skin. 

You may need to include serum as a daily step or just while your skin rehydrates. Then you can split and do one in the morning and once at night.

Everyone has a skincare routine that they will prefer. Take a look at the available steps vs. how much time and effort you are willing to give and create a happy routine that works for you and your skin. 

Listen To Your Body 

Your body will tell you what it needs, which goes for your skin and its hydration needs. Don’t overlook the clues. Instead, pay attention to what it’s telling you what it needs. Only you know what it will take to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. 

The sooner you listen to your body, the more you can enjoy bettering yourself for its health.

Starting out, you may not know when your skin is dehydrated vs. needing some extra lotion in a state that’s overly dry. But soon enough, you’ll catch on and learn the ins and outs of what your skin has to offer. 

This will become easier and more beneficial every step of the way. 

It will also allow you to incorporate a routine that’s more healthy and moisture-friendly for your body and start adding hydration to your daily skincare steps before your body tells you it’s too late. That includes healthier, more moisturized skin! 

What Products Should I Use? 

Now that you know what your next steps should be to help rehydrate your skin (and keep it that way), it’s time to look at what products you should use. Remember that everyone’s skin is different. You may have skin that’s sensitive to fragrance and dyes. 

Next, look at what steps you want to take to help rehydrate your skin. You may want to move toward one or all of the above steps to help your skin’s health. Doing so could include lotions, moisturizers, serums, exfoliation scrubs, cleansing mitts, and more. If you don’t already own these products, look at which ones will best suit your skincare needs. 

For those aiming to keep a low-maintenance routine, we’ve got you covered. 

Use simple products that pack a big impact. This will allow you to create plenty of moisture in your daily routine without overloading on the beauty steps. While some love their ten-step makeup removal process, it’s simply not for everyone. And that’s totally fine! 

Find a routine that works for you and allow it to help your skin along the way. 

Better still is that you can pick and choose your skincare products until you find those that work best for your own preferences. Take a look at this moisturizing collection from Alleyoop and start adding hydration to your skincare routine today.  

Though some of the treatment options overlap between dehydrated skin and skin that’s dry, they can come from very different causes. And they can cause very different side effects. Be sure to check what’s going on with your own skin to determine the actual reason why your skin may be acting up.

If you have dark circles or look more sullen than usual, your skin is likely dehydrated. However, if it is so itchy and flaky, your skin is likely dry. 

Perform a quick self-test to find the true cause of parched skin.

Next, consider simple treatment options to help rehydrate your skin. Moisturize like crazy, drink more water (or something else that is hydrating), exfoliate to remove layers of dry skin (and provide the added benefit of scratching your itching skin), add a humidifier to your living or workspace. 

Finally, listen to your skin! It’s telling you what it needs with not-so-subtle clues. All you have to do is pay attention and give your skin what it needs most. Doing this can help keep your skin hydrated at all times. In turn, this eliminates uncomfortable symptoms. 

Conclusion 

You can achieve younger, healthier-looking skin by keeping yourself hydrated. To help combat your skin dehydration issues or learn more about how you can improve your daily skincare routine with Alleyoop today. 

So, what are you doing to help treat your skin? Join the #AlleyoopTroop and tell us about it!

Sources:

6 Ways to Quench the Thirst of Dry or Dehydrated Skin | Allure

Here's Why My Skincare Routine Has Been Doing More Harm Than Good | Byrdie 

Dry Skin | American Skin Association