Dehydrated Skin

What’s the difference between dry vs dehydrated skin?

Dry skin, dehydration or just plain difficult skin? It might feel similar, but the causes and treatments are different, which is why it's important to get the diagnosis right. And it's fairly simple: Dry skin is a skin condition, all on its own. It means your glands aren't producing enough natural oils (sebum) to keep your skin moisturized. It also means that rich emollients (ceramides, oils, butters) are often the best course of treatment, to supplement the sebum deficit.

Dehydration, on the other hand, results from a lack of water hydration in the top layer of your skin. It can occur on all skin types, meaning that your skin can still be oily, but feel tight and uncomfortable at the same time. It might be caused by using the wrong skincare, spending a lot of time in low-humity environments/airconditioning, certain medications (including prescription retinoids), sunburn, excessive UV exposure or even stress! The good news is that the right skincare can usually result in a quick fix - we're talking hydrating toners, gel creams and a routine with plenty of humectants. 

What are the signs of dehydrated skin?

Dehydration can exist in tandem with other skin conditions, such as acne, oily skin and blackheads. You'll notice your skin feeling tight and uncomfortable, with a "pulling" sensation. It'll also appear dull and sallow, and can worsen the appearance of hyperpigmentation (like dark under-eye circles) as well as fine lines. 

There's also a skin test for dehydration: it's called the pinch test. Essentially, it tests the elasticity of your skin, given dehydration can impact its ability to bounce back. It's not a perfect test, because other factors can also rest in a lack of elasticity (namely, the natural process of aging). However, it can be an indication that the hydration levels in your skincare routine need to be ramped up. Simply pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek (gently) or the back of your hand. Hold for a few seconds and see how quickly your skin bounces back when you let go. If it takes a few moments, your skin may be lacking hydration.

How to fix dehydrated skin?

How to treat dehydrated skin will depend on the cause. For instance, if your skin is dehydrated from prescription retinoids like Tretinoin, you'll need to supplement your routine with layers of hydrating toner and a barrier-building serum or moisturizer that won't block pores. If the issue is from the natural process of aging, then you'll want a strong sunscreen and products with ingredients like trehalose and hyaluronic acid to plump out fine lines. A mild acid exfoliant can also help. Stress and hormones are one of the hardest causes to treat purely through skincare. Although the right skincare can go a long way to offsetting their impacts, it'll require a more holistic approach. Outside of skincare, using silk or satin pillow cases, using a humidifier/air purifier if you live in a dry/polluted environment, ensuring you drink plenty of water and getting your 8 hours of beauty sleep can all make a world of difference!

Some basic rules of thumb

Across various skin types, there are some basic rules of thumb when it comes to treating dehydration. A common skincare routine for dehydrated skin would involve a low-pH cleanser (something skin matching at a pH level of 5.5), a hydrating toner or serum, and a gel moisturizer with plenty of humectants. Gel moisturisers tend to be the best pick for a dehydrated skin moisturiser, because they're not too heavy but can still pack a punch. Also in the day time, sunscreen is a MUST. UV exposure can worsen dehydration. 

This is a good place to start, and within that framework, you can experiment with different products and ingredients (see below) to find out what works best for your skin.

What about dry AND dehydrated skin?

Yes that's right: your skin can be dry AND dehydrated. It's a double whammy of a lack of sebum and water-based hydration in your skin. Essentially, you'll want to to throw as much by way of humectants and emollients on your face as possible. Here's where a multi-step routine (like the famed K-Beauty 7 or 10 step routine) can really shine. It ensures your skin is getting treated at every step of your skincare routine. And this is the general rule of thumb: start off with lighter, water-based layers with your toner and essence, and finish with heavier, oilier layers that provide an occlusive, moisture-trapping barrier towards the end (i.e. your serums and your creams). What makes the best moisturiser for dehydrated skin that's also dry will depend on all the other supporting stars in your skincare routine - they should all work in harmony with each other.

Oily, dehydrated skin - one may be causing the other

Dehydrated, oily skin may seem like a paradox, but it's really more common than you think! Sometimes, excessively oily skin can be caused by dehyrating skincare. Using high pH-cleansers, strong acid exfoliants too frequently, or too many active ingredients can result in tight, papery and uncomfortable skin. Not only can over-using the wrong skincare compromise your skin barrier, but it can also lead to your sebum glands working overtime to correct the resulting dehydration (thereby making your skin oilier). Getting back to a more balanced routine with less frequency when it comes to active ingredients or exfoliants is generally how to fix dehydrated skin fast.

Skincare for dehydrated skin:

Some of Kanvas Beauty’s best skincare for dehydrated skin includes:

1. TIA'M - Vita B5 Toner: If we had to name our best product for dehydrated skin, this would be a top contender. Why? It is pure, juicy hydration. This panthenol and peptide toner feels so soothing on parched skin, and lowers your skin's pH after cleansing so it doesn't dry out. Apply on damp skin for the best results, and feel free to apply several layers of toner until your skin feels plump again. 
   
   
2. SKIN&LAB - Hybarrier Hyaluronic Capsule Cleanser: This gentle, low-pH cleanser is bursting with the good stuff - 10 types of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and sorbitol. It produces a silky foam that cleans your skin beautifully without exacerbating dehydration.  
   
   
3. Dr. Ceuracle - Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence: Hands down one of the best essences we've tried, this cream-in-essence hybrid product uses fermented kombucha tea extract, propolis, squalane and sunflower seed oil to promote moisture, fortify the skin barrier and deliver a radiant complexion. Dehydration + dry skin? Make a beeline for this product.
   
   
4. Some By Mi - Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser: Another low pH cleanser to try, this is ideal for dehydrated AND acne-prone skin when alternated with Some By Mi's Miracle Acne Clear Foam. This dynamic duo also works well on cystic acne.
   
   
5. Heimish - Watermelon Moisture Soothing Gel Cream: A popular dupe for Clinique's Moisture Surge Hydrator, this gel moisturizer with 10% watermelon extract delivers hydration without a hint of greasiness. This makes THE moisturiser for dehydrated skin on oily and combination peeps.