Is your skin starting to look dull? Dullness is an indicator of dehydrated skin but it is only one of many. We’ve come up with a short guide on how to know if your skin is dehydrated and how you can fix it.
DRYNESS VS. DEHYDRATION: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Before we dive into the different ways to spot dehydrated skin and how to fix it, it’s important to know that ‘dry skin’ and ‘dehydrated skin’ are not interchangeable terms. It is a common mistake to use the two terms to describe the same thing. Here’s a short overview of the difference of dehydrated skin and dry skin.
Dry skin is a skin type. this means it can be passed on from one generation to the next since it is part of your genes. It can be a result of an inadequate production of natural oils that the skin needs to function normally.
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition. Your skin doesn’t have to be dry for it to be dehydrated. Unlike dry skin which is genetic, dehydrated skin is the result of external factors and lifestyle choices. This includes the environment, the weather, the type of food you eat, and products you use.
Dry skin: skin type; lack of oils
Dehydrated skin: skin condition; lack of water in the top layer of the skin.
WHEN YOUR SKIN FEELS ITCHY
Ever had that feeling where the slightest movement triggers an irritated sensation? Dehydrated skin can manifest itself in the form of skin that easily becomes itchy. This happens due to the lack of moisture on the outer layers of the skin which in turn makes it prone to irritation. It really is an unpleasant feeling to have, especially since you will want to scratch areas that feel itchy.
INCREASED SENSITIVITY
An increase in sensitivity is a big consequence of dehydrated skin. When the skin is dehydrated, it becomes incapable of retaining water which in return ruins barriers that are normally present to keep external aggressors and irritants (allergen particles, pollution, etc) from entering your skin. With these barriers gone, it becomes much easier for your skin to become irritated.
DULL SKIN
A more direct approach would just be to get yourself in front of a mirror so you can take a good look at yourself. Dehydrated skin isn’t that difficult to distinguish from healthy moisturized skin.
When the mirror shows you an overall dull, exhausted, and worn out version of yourself, these are signs of dehydrated skin
Also note that dehydrated skin can easily wrinkle and show fine lines on your face. One other way to see if your skin could use some more water is by giving your cheek a gentle pinch. Healthy hydrated skin bounces back to normal quickly, while dehydrated skin takes a while to recover.
— HOW TO FIX IT —
DON’T FORGET TO EXFOLIATE
If you think washing your face two times a day is enough, think again. Washing the face alone could not help you as much if you don’t exfoliate- which is an important step. Exfoliating sloughs away damaged skin which allows topical products to be more effective. Remember that the products you should use are the ones that are gentle to the skin such as herbal or natural products since products that are too harsh to the skin can further irritate it.
MOISTURIZE MORE
Once you’re finished with exfoliation, the surface will now be clear and ready for moisture. What moisturizers do is that they fill in the cracks on the surface of your skin. These cracks are the result of dehydrated skin. This is the reason why your skin looks so dull when it is dehydrated. Moisturizers act as sealants of these cracks and as a result it gives your skin a smoother surface. Applying moisturizers bring up oxygen to the surface of your skin, so don’t forget to make it a part of your evening routine. Herbal products are highly recommended since they make use of natural ingredients that are gentle to sensitive skin.
DRINK MORE WATER
An obvious cause of dehydrated skin is a dehydrated body. Maybe you’re just not drinking enough water. If your body needs more water, it will definitely manifest in the state of your skin.
When you are dehydrated, blood flow to the skin is lower, causing you to look worn out. Remember that skin cells are made of water, so they will not be able to function well if their environment is not hydrated. Also keep in mind that this is not just a short term problem that you can fix with a glass of water. The body will constantly be seeking water, and if you cannot provide it, deeper parts of your skin will suffer the long-term effects of dehydrated skin.
TIME TO EAT HEALTHY
Your skin refreshes every 35 days and it will change its state based on the food that you eat. So in order for you to look good and feel good, you are going to need to eat good and healthy food,
Processed food are incredibly salty and can rob your skin the radiant shine that you are looking for. When you’re regularly having meals that are high in sugar and fat, you are on your way to having dull skin. Instead, go for fatty fishes that are high in omega-3, Vitaminc C-rich fruits such as oranges and other food like cucumbers, oysters, nuts, and sweet potatoes.
GET SOME SLEEP
Sleep is crucial in restoring damaged skin. During your sleep, the body rebalances hydration which results to moisture being recovered. Since skin dehydration is the issue here, you now know how big of a role sleep plays in having moisturized skin. Although you may already love sleep, this gives you another reason to love it even more.
