Dehydrated skin feels tight, looks dull, and exaggerates the signs of ageing like wrinkles and dark circles beneath the eyes. Like dry skin, redness and inflammation are common signs of dehydration. But unlike dry skin, dehydrated skin is characterised by a lack of water, not oil, meaning even you can have dehydrated oily skin. Luckily, dehydrated skin is temporary and can be relieved with the right products and a regular skincare regime.

The skin’s lipid barrier plays an important role in maintaining overall skin health. The lipid barrier of the stratum corneum helps to prevent dryness and dehydration, working to retain vital moisture within the skin. When the lipid barrier is disrupted, the skin can experience excessive moisture loss that can result in dehydrated skin.

If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, you may have dehydrated skin:

1. Your skin is flaky

Extreme temperatures, drinking too much caffeine and not eating right can strip moisture from the outer layer of your skin, causing a tight, itchy sensation. This is often accompanied by flaking, regardless of the amount of oil on your dehydrated skin’s surface.

2.  You’re experiencing increased skin sensitivity

Dehydration is a precursor to sensitised skin. When your skin’s moisture barrier is disrupted, it cannot properly protect itself from external stressors. As a result, irritants like bacteria and pollution can penetrate its outermost layer, worsening symptoms like redness, itchiness, and irritation.

3. Your skin is dull.

Dehydration affects your skin’s ability to perform essential functions like cell turnover. This means that your skin does not shed its outer layer frequently enough, and dead cells accumulate on its surface, resulting in clogged pores and a dull complexion.

4. Your fine lines and wrinkles are more pronounced.

Dehydration in the skin weakens its defence and creates premature ageing, meaning that any fine lines or wrinkles will appear more pronounced.

Your Regular Skincare Regime

Step 1. Wash with a gentle cleanser.

The best way to cleanse dehydrated skin is with a gentle SLS-free cleanser, like our Revitalising Foaming Cleanser, and lukewarm water to wash away impurities, hydrate skin and leave no residue. It’s important to choose cleansers that are free of harsh chemical additives and artificial fragrances that can strip the skin of beneficial moisture and aggravate sensitivities.

The high concentration of Aloe Vera juice in this cleanser helps prevent moisture loss in the drier areas where the barrier function of the skin may be less functional because there is less lipid content to protect the surface of the skin. 

Step 2. Follow with a hyaluronic acid-rich serum.

The Aesthetics Rx® Vitamin B Serum has a high concentration of Hyaluronic acid and PCA, which is extremely effective in replenishing dehydrated skin. This superstar ingredient works as a magnet for moisture, helping your cells retain as much of it as possible so that your skin feels and appears hydrated, plump, and radiant.

PCA, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, contains various amino and salts. Before applying a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, make sure your skin is slightly damp, and because water evaporates quickly, follow with a moisturiser to create a seal.

Step 3. Moisturise with the Aesthetics Rx® Daily Moisturiser Hydrating

Use Daily Moisturiser Hydrating with UVA and UVB properties to help protect skin from the sun. The active ingredients in our lightweight moisturiser protect the skin from various effects of ageing such as UV rays, free radicals and other environmental stressors. It prevents dehydration and has a calming effect.

Step 4. Seal the skin benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

Our Anti-Ageing Regeneration Formula uses the power of Retinol to stimulate Hyaluronic Acid synthesis in the dermis and epidermis, which improves skin hydration and elasticity to soften the signs of ageing. Apply at night after using the Aesthetics Rx B Serum.