What Causes Dehydrated Skin?
We often think of the summer months as a time when our skin needs less hydration, not more. But that’s a critical mistake. Summer heat, sun exposure, and travel can all contribute to the causes of dehydrated skin and result in dehydration lines, irritation, and oiliness.
Understanding what causes dehydrated skin is the first step towards achieving healthier, more luminous, hydrated skin all season long. That’s why we’re diving deep into the causes and characteristics of dehydrated skin with an in-depth look at this common skincare concern and how to solve it.
Common Causes of Dehydrated Skin
Maintaining a healthy moisture barrier is the key to keeping skin healthy and hydrated. This microns-thin layer of shedding skin cells and lipids repels water, sealing nourishing moisture into the skin. A compromised moisture barrier can cause moisture to evaporate out of skin, causing dehydration.
This can occur due to:
- Sun exposure
- Air travel
- Living or visiting a drier climate
- Exposure to irritants such as salt water, pool water, or pollution
- Forced air heating or cooling (aka AC)
- Using too many skincare actives such as exfoliating acids
- Stress
5 Characteristics of Dehydrated Skin
So how do you know if your skin is dehydrated? Look for any of these 5 characteristics of dehydrated skin:
- Dehydration lines – Wrinkles can form due to dehydration as moisture loss essentially deflates your skin. These dehydration wrinkles can show up anywhere, but are most common around the eyes and on your forehead.
- Shiny, oily skin – When your skin becomes dehydrated, the body often compensates by producing more of its natural protective oils – known as sebum – in an attempt to lock in moisture. The result: oily skin.
- Congestion – This additional sebum can mix with makeup and impurities, clogging pores.
- Irritation – As your skin loses moisture, it can become rough, irritated, and itchy.
- Redness – Red, chapped skin is also common when skin becomes dehydrated.
If you’re experiencing any of these skin concerns and suspect your skin is dehydrated, gently pinch one of your cheeks. If it wrinkles with gentle pressure instead of holding its shape, your skin is indeed dehydrated.
Products for Dehydrated Skin
Your best summer starts with a solid moisture barrier, and our optimized 4-step routine is scientifically formulated to protect + nourish for luminous, hydrated skin all season.
Step 1: Cleanse with Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser – This refreshing foaming cleanser uses a powerfully gentle amino acid complex to deep clean pores of makeup and impurities while aloe and sugarcane squalane nourish and soothe.
Step 2: Treat with Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum – This multi-hyaluronic-acid serum drenches skin in deep moisture for an instant plumping effect. Meanwhile scientifically proven copper peptides reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles for skin that looks and feels firm, bouncy, smooth and hydrated.
Step 3: Boost Your Barrier with Omega Repair Cream – The luxurious whipped texture of this fast-absorbing repair cream melts into skin to deliver deep moisture. Ceramides, plant sterols, and omega fatty acids support the skin barrier to lock in hydration for healthy, radiant skin.
Step 4: Protect with NEW Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen – This reef-safe sunscreen provides powerful broad spectrum SPF 30 protection using natural zinc oxide. Formulated with sugarcane squalane and butterfly ginger extract, this non-nano sunscreen melts into skin to boost hydration while also protecting against blue light and pollution.
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As a lifestyle writer and journalist, I love sharing my passion for ocean conservation and obsession with clean beauty. I’ve tried almost every trend and ingredient, and Biossance’s science-backed formulas are the only ones that consistently calm my reactive skin and make it smoother, clearer, and healthier. I’m so excited to be on this journey of skincare innovation with Biossance, and to share it with you!
