Recognising and taking care of dehydrated skin

It feels tight or appears red very easily... Dehydrated skin lacks moisture. It is often confused with dry skin. How can you tell if your skin is dehydrated? What are the tell-tale signs? And above all how can you care for it? We’ll tell you everything.

Dry skin and dehydrated skin
av_peau-seche-deshydratee_schema_alteration-film-hydrolipidique_1x1 1 - Hypodermis | 2 - Dermis | 3 - Epidermis | 4 - Water

What is dehydrated skin?

Adult skin consists of 70% water. This shows its importance. As its name indicates, dehydrated skin is skin that lacks hydration. And when this occurs, this dehydration becomes a vicious circle.

As the skin lacks moisture, the hydrolipidic film that should protect it is deficient. Cells in the epidermis, which are supposed to be united, lose their cohesion. The evaporation of the moisture contained in the skin is then accelerated, causing skin dehydration... And so on. A problem that can affect any type of skin: dry skin, but also combination or oily skin. 

Fortunately, this state is usually temporary. The triggers are well known. And the care you can give your skin to restore its suppleness and comfort is very effective. Here is our advice. 

 

How do you know if your skin is dehydrated?

To find out if your skin is dehydrated, you should ask yourself whether have you experienced any skin changes recently? Do your cheeks ever feel tight? Have you noticed small wrinkles when you smile? Does your make-up stay even throughout the day? etc.

All of these issues are indications of skin dehydration. Because skin that lacks water is often dull, wrinkled, and tends to get dry in winter... This discomfort can last all day, even if you use greasy creams. In addition, the make-up does not hold up as well...

Learn more about the signs of dehydrated skin

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I have very dehydrated skin, it's a disaster, it's rough, it's not smooth and I have a lot of dead skin.

What causes dehydrated skin?

The phenomenon of dehydration is linked to and exacerbated by a whole range of factors, both internal (or endogenous) and external (or exogenous): 

Among the endogenous factors are:

  • Skin ageing;

Exogenous factors include:

  • Cold, overly dry atmospheres, UV rays, pollution, air conditioning, etc.
  • Unsuitable hygiene products, detergents;
  • Shaving, hair removal.
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How do you care for dehydrated skin?

Thinking about "moisturising" the skin is good. Adapting your daily hygiene routine is even better. Because, contrary to what you might think, moisturising your skin isn’t simply applying a cream in the morning. It is a complete skincare routine to pamper your skin. A ritual that consists of 3 steps. Don't worry, nothing is impossible:

  • Cleanse your skin (and remove make-up) morning and evening. This is the first beauty step in every skincare routine to keep skin luminous and maintain its balance.
  • Soothe. A few sprays of Avène Thermal Spring Water after cleansing will help fight dryness and associated irritation;
  • Revitalise your skin with a serum.

All our tips for caring for dehydrated skin

 

Essential hydration!

The challenge is to rebalance the skin. Moisturisers can be used to provide water, a vital element to rehydrate the skin, as well as lipids, to help restore skin’s moisture barrier to fight external aggressors. 

The aim, as you can see, is to put an end to the vicious cycle and to fight against senseless depletion of moisture. The skin must remain moist (hydrated) but also to avoid the penetration of external agents and thus fight against all the resulting effects of dryness: feeling of discomfort, tightness and visible redness...

Everything you need to know about benefits of hydration

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FRIENDLY (AND EXPERT) ADVICE

Serum, the perfect companion for your face! All year round, the skin on your face is the most vulnerable to the effects of the weather, heat, cold, rain... It becomes tired and dehydrated. Using a serum prior to your usual skincare routine will enhance its effectiveness and restore your skin’s freshness. A moisturising mask, several times a week, will give your skin a real boost.

All of our tips to properly hydrate your face

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Moisturising your body

While a lot of us pay particular attention to facial hydration, some tend to neglect their bodies. However, it is just as important. Because, as on your face, if you lack sufficient moisture, you can very quickly experience dryness and associated skin discomfort (crocodile skin, etc.)
Adopting a daily skincare routine will help prevent this dryness, remove dead skin, facilitate skin's own renewal and, of course, prevent associated itching.
When it comes to formulation, choose a milky or creamy texture that fights against dehydration and moderate dryness, and a balm texture for more intense dryness. This little trick is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to taking care of your body.

Get all our advice on how to moisturise your body correctly

WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Giving you the facts: that's what we're here for

FALSE. Dehydrated skin is a temporary state. Oily skin is a skin type. And the two are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to find a skincare product that combines hydration and the reduction of sebum. After cleansing and removing your make-up, apply this lightweight product especially for oily skin.

FALSE. Although, let's face it, the make-up tends to not hold as well. The aim is to avoid making the dehydration lines more visible with make-up, and to prevent the skin from becoming more flaky. The winning combo is the pairing of a serum and a moisturiser as a make-up base. For foundation, choose fluid textures applied with a sponge and a tap action.

TRUE AND FALSE. There is nothing to stop you from doing this. But it is worth adapting your skincare to the seasons. For more protection and comfort in winter, opt for creamier formulas. As for summer, go for a little lightness with fluid textures and favour formulas with sun protection.

Our solutions for dehydrated skin

Avène Thermal Spring Water skincare products designed to make you feel better about your skin

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This must-have cream soothes the skin! My skin and my face are revived.

HYDRA-10 Tolerance Cream