What’s the best skincare routine for dehydrated skin?
People sometimes use the words dehydrated and dry interchangeably, but do they really mean the same thing? While some people might mix up the meaning of these similarly related words, dry and dehydrated are not the same, and understanding the differences between the two can help you determine the best skincare routine for your skin’s unique needs.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin occurs when your skin lacks enough sebum, an oil your sebaceous glands naturally produce to keep your skin moisturized. Several other factors can also contribute to dry skin, including:
- Age
- Hormonal imbalances
- Dry environments
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
Not sure if you have dry skin? Here are some of the common symptoms to look for:
- Scaling (when large pieces of the outer layer of your skin peel away)
- Roughness
- Itchiness
- Loose skin
- Flaking
- Cracked skin
Dehydration typically occurs when you’re not drinking enough water, which leaves your body without adequate fluids to complete its essential processes. When your body becomes dehydrated, you’re likely to notice signs that your skin is craving water, including:
- Fine lines
- Itchiness
- Sunken eyes
- Cracked lips
- Dry lips or mouth
What causes dehydrated skin?
Unlike dry skin, which typically happens because of medical or environmental factors, dehydrated skin is usually the result of losing more fluids than you’re consuming. However, there are other causes of dehydration as well, like certain illnesses, sunburn, sweating, excessive heat exposure or other health conditions.
The role of skin cycling in skin health
Just a few years ago, skin cycling became one of the biggest skincare trends to take social media by storm, with over 3.5 billion views on TikTok (according to Vogue).
Skin cycling is incredibly effective on dehydrated skin because it gives your skin’s barrier a rest from potent active ingredients, while relying heavily on hydrating skin at a cellular level. Quick recap: The skin barrier is the outer layer of your skin that protects you from external threats, like chemicals, allergens, and other potentially infectious factors while maintaining hydration.
Skin cycling is a nightly skincare routine designed to keep your skin barrier balanced and healthy without overwhelming it with too many active ingredients. Nights 1 and 2 of skin cycling use active ingredients intended to improve your skin’s complexion. Nights 3 and 4 of the skin cycling routine involve giving your skin barrier time to recover.
- Night 1: Exfoliation: After cleansing and drying your face, apply a chemical exfoliator such as salicylic or glycolic acid. Unlike physical exfoliators, like scrubs, chemical exfoliation is more gentle on your skin barrier and can help effectively remove dead skin cells from your skin without causing excess irritation. After exfoliating, apply a gentle moisturizer on your face to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.
- Night 2: Retinoids: Also known as vitamin A, retinoids are hailed by many for their potential ability to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. So, on night two, after cleansing your face, gently apply a retinoid of your choice over your face and neck. After it dries, apply your moisturizer.
- Nights 3 and 4: Recovery: After cleansing your skin, apply a peptide-rich hydrating serum and a moisturizer to hydrates and nourishes your skin barrier. If skin needs added comfort and nourishment, apply an overnight facial mask with omega-rich ingredients like bilberry seed oil to help repair skin at a cellular level.
Crafting the perfect skincare routine for dehydrated skin
Of course, skin cycling isn’t the only dehydrated skin routine available. You can show your skin the care and hydration it deserves by adding a few gentle, nourishing products to your current skincare routine.
Cleanser
For dehydrated skin, look for a two-in-one exfoliating cleanser that works to slough off dead skin and brighten your complexion at the same time. Consider opting for a cleansing cream with hydrating ingredients, such as apricot oil, which is high in moisturizing fatty acids.
Serums
From acne-fighting serums to skin-brightening serums, there’s no shortage of serums to choose from. Skincare aficionados around the world appreciate them for several reasons, including their ability to:
- Provide a lightweight, non-greasy texture
- Target specific concerns with high concentrations of active ingredients
- Offer quick absorption into the skin so you can easily layer them with other products
If you’re looking for the perfect deep moisturizing product to add to your skincare routine for dry dehydrated skin, we suggest a moisture-packed serum, supercharged with peptides, omega fatty acids and hyaluronic acid.
Moisturizers
Not to be outdone by hydrating serums, a well-chosen moisturizer can pack an all-day hydrating punch for your skin. Be on the lookout for a moisturizer that contains a blend of vitamins, minerals and peptides that work to lessen dryness, trap and hold hydration, soothe and boost collagen and elastin.
SPF
Whether you spend five minutes or five hours in the sun each day, it’s important to incorporate a moisturizing SPF into your morning skincare routine. Look for ingredients like zinc, copper, and selenium to protect your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays. And, if you plan on spending a day in the great outdoors, be sure to pack plenty of water to keep you hydrated and reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
Masks
Once a week, treat yourself to one of life’s great pampering (and skin-barrier restoring) pleasures: a hydrating face mask. With ingredients like hyaluronic acid (which is capable of retaining up to 1,000 times its weight in water), Canadian willowherb and hibiscus extract, you’ll be doing your skin and your selfcare a moisturizing and relaxing favor.
References for this information:
Cleveland Clinic Website, Health Library
Medical News Today Website, Health Conditions
Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2018, volume 147, issue 1, pages 117-118
Cleveland Clinic Website, Skin Care & Beauty
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 2019, volume 36, issue 4, pages 392-397
Medical News Today Website, Research
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wellness and Prevention
Patient Preference and Adherence, 2009, volume 3, pages 225-230
