As you probably already know if you’re one of many people who has it: “dry skin” is a general skin type that produces less sebum (natural oils). “Dehydrated skin,” on the other hand, refers to a condition: skin that lacks hydration.
OK, so how do you know which one you have? Well, since they’re different things, the symptoms for each are a bit different:
Dry Skin Signs
- Scaly skin
- White, flaky, dry patches
- Rough patches
- Redness
- Irritation
Dehydrated Skin Signs
- Itchy patches
- Dullness
- Darker under-eye circles
- Appearance of “sunken” eyes
- Increased appearance of fine lines/wrinkles
Think, if you dare, about how the skin on your face looks after an evening of too much wine: dull, more wrinkly skin, and probably some bags or dark circles under your eyes, right? Not great. Well, that’s what dehydrated skin looks like. Aside from too much alcohol, other causes of dehydrated skin include lifestyle factors such as:
- Air travel
- Sleeping in a room with air-conditioning running all night
- The weather (dry heat, indoor heating, and very cold, dry weather are the worst offenders)
- Stagnant air (we've been inside because of COVID-19)
- Too much caffeine
- Smoking
- Not enough sleep
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Illness
If any of the above are true for you, remedies can include reducing or eliminating harmful behaviors, and drinking even more water in the meantime, should help hydrate your skin.
Treatments for Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin can usually be cured by some simple diet and lifestyle changes. Lack of water in the body is a leading cause of dehydration so, the first step is to drink water like it’s your job:
- Drink a glass of water (or other calorie-free or low-calorie beverage) with each meal and between each meal.
- Drink water before, during and after exercise.
- Drink water first if you're feeling hungry (thirst can sometimes be confused with hunger).
If you’re sick of plain old tap water, change its flavor by adding slices of lemon or cucumber. You can also mix it up by drinking sparkling water--La Croix and Poland Springs have a wide variety of natural flavors, and San Pellegrino and Perrier even contain some extra nutrients.
Milk, juice, and herbal teas are also composed mostly of water. Be wary of the sugar added to many juices, though--fresh-squeezed or smoothies made from whole fruits and vegetables are your best bet. And remember: certain fruits watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, and cantaloupe and veggies (lettuce, celery, radishes, cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes, green bell peppers, asparagus, broccoli and spinach) are more than 89-90% water! Who knew that salad could be so hydrating?
A good overall amount of fluids to shoot for is 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men, and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. If you are pregnant, sick, or exercise frequently, you’ll need to drink even more.
Always wear SPF - everyday. Dehydrated skin needs protection from the drying, damaging rays of the sun and other environmental aggressors. A layer of SPF on the surface or skin barrier will give you added protection during the day and even when you are sitting in front of your computer.
Other great ways to combat dehydrated skin are moisturizing sprays, or a humidifier. Especially in the winter, using a humidifier in your office and while you sleep will add much-needed moisture to the dry air created by your heating system.
Treating Dry Skin
Here are suggestions for keeping dry skin supple and hydrated:
Use warm (not hot) water and take short showers/baths. Long showers or baths and hot water remove oils from your skin and can cause more dryness . Keep bathing to 5-to-10 minutes, tops, and avoid hot showers.
Avoid harsh, drying soaps/cleansers. Treat your face delicately. Opt for cleansing creams, gentle skin cleansers, and bath or shower gels with added moisturizer. Choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats. Steer clear of antibacterial detergents, fragrance, and alcohol. Be cautious with exfoliants. While dry skin may have patches of flaking, dead skin cells that you may be tempted to scrub away, this can irritate dry skin. Choose your skin care products wisely.
Moisturize--a lot! Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep in water. For dry skin, thicker face creams work best. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to use a natural oil, or mix one with your facial moisturizer. Either way, pat it in while your face is still moist–it’ll help prevent water from evaporating from your skin’s surface. Another possibility? Ointments that contain petroleum jelly (two popular picks are Vaseline or Aquaphor). These may feel greasy, so you might want to use them only at night, and only on the driest areas of your body (elbows, heels of your feet, etc).
Moisturize immediately after bathing. Gently pat your face dry with a towel so that some moisture remains. Then immediately start slathering on the cream/moisturizer/ointment of choice to keep that moisture in your skin. Products that list petrolatum as one of the top three ingredients may be best, and products containing glycerin, lactic acid or urea may also help.
Use a humidifier. Hot, dry, indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen irritation. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Be sure to keep your humidifier clean so it will function as it should.
Choose skin-friendly fabrics. Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe, whereas synthetics are less porous. Wool, though it’s natural, can irritate even normal skin--so try to wear a finely-woven kind.
One of the best ways to stay on top of treating your skin--in in any weather or climate--is by using skincare products that are created just for you. If you haven’t already, take PROVEN’s Skin Quiz to find the most beneficial ingredients for your skin. The best part? PROVEN’s scientists and dermatologists have created the ability to tweak your specific formulas as the seasons change, so you don’t need to go searching for new products every time the temperature or humidity levels change.
