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Many people confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin and try to correct its condition with a double layer of thick nourishing cream. The result is clogged pores, blackheads and breakouts. We list the signs of dehydration and draw up an adequate action plan.
Signs of dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin is often confused with dry skin, and for good reason. Both the first and the second lack moisture – however, for completely different reasons.
Dry type is a constant characteristic of the skinwhich is usually hereditary. In this case, the epidermis lacks lipids, so it does not retain moisture well.
Dehydration is a temporary, fixable conditioncaused by external or internal factors. The skin type can be either dry or oily.
Dry skin type cannot be turned into normal, but it is possible to relieve irritation, peeling and other unpleasant sensations.
Dehydrated – can and should be brought back to normal, and this is not as difficult as it might seem.
What are the signs of dehydrated skin?
Dehydration often affects oily and combination skin. Usually this is a consequence of aggressive drying care (abuse of acids, cleansing masks, matting products).
Pores can be either wide or narrow.
The skin looks like dry – it turns red and flaky, and feels like sandpaper to the touch. But at the same time, inflammatory rashes and oily sheen in the T-zone can remain her constant companions.
Unlike dryness, dehydration is a temporary condition characterized by a feeling of tightness after cleansing with water. Also, dehydration makes itself felt in cold or hot climates, after aggressive cleansing or with a lack of moisture in care.
Check if your skin is getting enough moisture.
How to choose a moisturizer for different skin types
Which cream to choose is up to you. Start from whether your skin is prone to oily or, conversely, to dryness.
Dry dehydrated
Such skin loses moisture very quickly. She lacks lipids to keep water molecules from evaporating, so when leaving, it is important to apply with minimal pauses:
cleanser;
tonic, leveling the pH level;
without waiting for complete absorption, a serum that meets the needs of the skin;
moisturizing cream with lipids and rich texture;
if the skin is very dry, “seal” the cream with oil, applying it with a hammering, rather than smearing motion.
Fat dehydrated
There are enough fats in the hydrolipid layer, so use moisturizing gel serums and emulsion creams. You can add a nourishing oil to winter care, but be careful to choose a light non-comedogenic product, such as argan oil.
The main components of creams for dehydrated skin are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe juice.
Features of composition
The composition of cosmetics for dehydrated skin includes hygroscopic agents – they attract moisture molecules to themselves and carry them into the cells of the epidermis.
The list of ingredients should include:
hyaluronic acid;
glycerol;
propylene glycol (it also promotes better absorption of other components);
algae extract;
aloe juice;
chitosan.
Creams for different age categories
When choosing a cream, be guided not so much by the numbers in the passport as by the needs of your skin.
For young skin
At a young age, the skin needs good hydration and sun protection to look healthy. Look for creams with moisturizers (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) and collagen. For the future, closer to the age of 25, start introducing antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, into your skincare routine. They will protect cells from harmful oxidative processes.
With age-related changes
After 35, add products with peptides and ceramides to the program. Keep in mind that even in oily skin, the hydro-lipid layer becomes thinner with age, which means that it will need more restorative components.
Both dry and oily skin can be dehydrated.
Dehydrated skin care tips
The list of rules in this case is not the largest, but they will have to be followed strictly.
Keep an eye on the level of humidity in the room: in winter, due to the work of central heating, it is greatly reduced. A modern humidifier is a good alternative to the basins of water that used to be placed on a battery.
It is believed that to maintain the desired level of moisture in the skin cells, you need to drink at least two liters of water a day. But if this is too much for you, compensate for the lack of moisturizing masks.
Cleanse your skin as gently as possible. Soaps and gels for oily skin are best replaced with delicate foams, and micellar water is used to remove makeup.
With dehydration, it is undesirable to use scrubs, especially if there are open inflammations. Opt for mildly acidic products, such as lactic acid serums or low concentration glycolic acid masks.
In the hope of getting rid of blackheads and oily sheen, the skin is often dried out with alcohol-containing products, and then they try to correct the situation with a thick nourishing cream. As a result, the pores again become clogged, and blackheads appear. Don’t create this vicious circle.
Overview of products for dehydrated skin
Intense hydration
| Name of funds | Action | Active ingredients |
MOISTURIZING LOTION without oils ULTRA FACIAL OIL-FREE LOTION, KIEHL’S | Does not leave a greasy film, moisturizes the skin well, normalizes the water balance. Does not contain parabens and fragrances. | extract of impera cylindric, tocopherol |
DAY CREAM “MOISTURIZING EXPERT” FOR DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN, L’ORÉAL PARIS where to find? | Intensively moisturizes the skin, eliminating all signs of dehydration: peeling, dryness, dull complexion. | rose and blackcurrant oils |
Hydration and recovery
| Name of funds | Action | Active ingredients |
SOOTHING MOISTURIZING CREAM FOR DRY SKIN HYDRA ZEN, LANCÔME where to find? | Provides immediate comfort. Intensively and permanently moisturizes the skin. | shea butter, French rose, peony, moringa oil, sea fennel extracts |
INTENSE MOISTURIZING REGENERATING GEL B5, SKINCEUTICALS | Lightweight gel softens and intensively moisturizes the skin without clogging pores. | hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, urea, trehalose |
Cream-gel for dehydrated normal and combination sensitive skin Hydraphase Intense Légère, La Roche-Posay | Refreshing, non-greasy texture hydrates, brightens and plumps skin. | thermal water La Roche-Posay, fragmented hyaluronic acid |