How To Fix Thirsty, Dehydrated Skin

An expert clears up the confusion between dry and dehydrated skin.

Has your skin been looking and feeling lacklustre lately? Regardless of your skin type, winter can turn any complexion into an easy target for dehydration, leaving you feeling tight, itchy and sometimes inflamed – even if you have an oily skin type. Although amping up the rich, heavy moisturisers seems like the obvious solution, dehydrated skin is very different from dry skin and should be treated as such.

So, how do you know the difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin? We asked Clinique’s National Educational Manager, Rene Benkenstein, to give us the rundown on how to identify dehydration and target dehydrated skin effectively.

Keep reading to find out how to take dehydrated skin from dull to dewy with a few easy steps.

The difference between dry and dehydrated skin

“We often think they are the same, but actually, dry and dehydrated skin needs to be treated differently as they each have their own unique needs and causes. In a nutshell, dry skin lacks oil and dehydrated skin lacks water. Dryness is a skin type that produces less natural sebum and is unable to hold onto moisture and therefore has a weaker skin barrier.

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition where skin lacks water. This is often due to factors such as diet, climate, environment, stress and overconsumption of alcohol.”

Common signs of dehydration

“Dehydrated skin will feel tight, often redness will occur, wrinkles and fine lines will appear more obvious and can look dull.”

A foolproof method for treating dehydrated skin

“Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, plus lots of fragrance-free, oil-free, lightweight, nutrient-rich moisturiser, which strengthens and repairs the skin’s moisture barrier. You can exfoliate, but be sure to use a non-abrasive, non-physical, chemical exfoliator such as Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Liquid Exfoliator with ingredients including salicylic acid.”

Slugging can help

“My answer to slugging is Moisture Surge Overnight Mask. This rich, penetrating night mask replenishes all night long. It soothes and nourishes to help skin stay hydrated. It includes hydrating Vitamin B5 to help support the skin’s moisture barrier and lock in moisture. You’ll wake up to soft, dewy, plump, glowing skin.”

Treating a dehydrated complexion by layering hydration

“Stick to lightweight, oil-free hydration in watery or gel textures. You could use Moisture Surge Hydro-Infused Lotion as a moisture prep and layer with Moisture Surge 100h Auto-Replenishing Hydrator for continuous hydration and comfort, both packed with fermented aloe and hyaluronic acid.”

The biggest mistake we make when treating dehydrated skin

“I think we sometimes confuse dryness with dehydration and use moisturisers that could be too rich or heavy. Remember, dehydrated skin could even be quite oily in certain areas, but dehydrated in others, so the moisturiser you use really should address dehydration and offer those ingredients to tackle it, to bring back that plump, dewy glow and comfortable feel.”

Don’t forget about self-care

“Being kind to your body will have wonderful effects on dehydrated skin. Drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, cut down on the coffees, go easy on the central heating and air conditioning and don’t wash your face with very hot water or use a very abrasive towel to dry your face.”

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