Hydration is an undervalued aspect when caring for your skin. We tend to spend more time giving importance to performance ingredients like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids.
But, hydration levels in your skin cells are of utmost importance when trying to achieve healthy, vibrant, resilient, youthful glowing skin. Without adequate hydration, the skin’s ability to heal, protect itself and perform its many roles is compromised. This leads to many skin concerns such as acne, sensitivity and premature aging - not just dryness.
Differences Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin
I’ve talked about this before but its important to note that dry skin is a skin type you've inherited, characterized by the lack of oil production in your skin. If you inherited dry skin you won't produce very much oil (alipidic). If not moisturized properly it can look dull, or feel rough. Dry skin tends to have very small or what appears to be nonexistent pores. In contrast, dehydrated skin is a condition that results from a lack of water in the skin, which can affect any skin type, even oily skin. Dehydrated skin often feels tight. It may look dull or even red and irritated. Fine lines are more noticeable in dehydrated skins. Addressing dry skin requires replenishing oils, while dehydrated skin needs water-based humectants to restore hydration levels.
Should I Hydrate or Moisturize
Hydration refers to increasing the water content of your skin. Humectants like hyaluronic acid (HA) and glycerin are among the most effective ingredients for holding onto water. Moisturizing on the other hand, involves sealing in that hydration using emollients and occlusives like oils or butters. Shea butter is a favorite of mine. These create a barrier to prevent water from evaporating out of the skin. Both are important. Hydration plumps the skin cells and helps keep them healthy and metabolically active. Moisturizers main function is just that, to moisturize. That means sealing in moisture and acting as protection against environmental factors that create water loss. Together they keep the skin healthy and glowing. Take a look at your skin. Do you have small pores, where you can’t remember ever producing very much oil. You’ve probably inherited dry skin and will need a rich moisturizer that seals in water. If you tend to be a bit more oily then you need a lighter cream or lotion moisturizer. Many people are somewhere in between. You may have to play around to find just the right fit.
Dehydration and Its Effect on Skin Conditions
Dehydration occurs when the skin lacks sufficient water content, affecting its barrier function and leading to an array of issues. This isn’t just a surface problem, hydration affects every layer of the skin. Deep dehydration leads to wrinkles. But surface dehydration can exacerbate or even cause other conditions:
1. Acne
Dehydrated skin may stimulate excess oil production as it tries to compensate for the lack of moisture. This oil buildup, combined with dead skin cells and clogged follicles creates an environment ripe for breakouts. Compounding the issue, dry, flaky skin can make it difficult for acne-fighting ingredients to penetrate, rendering treatments less effective. Don’t skimp on moisturizers for your acne. Acne-prone skin still needs hydration - and sometimes that includes oil.
2. Sensitivity and Compromised Barriers
When the skin's water content is depleted its barrier function weakens, leaving it vulnerable to external irritants. Clients with dehydrated skin may experience increased redness, itching, and a stinging sensation when using even mild products. This sensitivity makes it challenging to build effective skin care routines without further aggravating the skin. Acne clients that are dehydrated tend to have inflamed skin. Incorporate hydration-focused treatments that include barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides after applying a hyaluronic acid based serum to soothe and strengthen your skin. Multidimensional HAs work best for dry or mature skin types because they hydrate deep down in the skin which lessens the appearance of wrinkles. Simple HAs have larger molecules that stay near the skin’s surface. This works best for oily or reactive skin types. Because it stays near the skin’s surface, it works great for superficial dehydration and is less irritating.
3. Premature Aging
Fine lines and wrinkles are often more prominent in dehydrated skin. Without adequate moisture skin cells become less metabolically active, making it harder for rejuvenation. The skin loses plumpness and elasticity, which accelerates the visible signs of aging. Collagen production can also slow, further contributing to a tired, lax or dull appearance.
Visible Signs of Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin is often dull and lackluster. Fine lines seem to disappear after applying moisturizer. Tightness or a ‘pulling’ sensation can accompany parched skin. Patchy dryness or flaky areas, especially around the nose or cheeks are often present. With oily dehydrated skin there is an increased tendency toward breakouts despite dryness. Finally, there is an overall “crepey” and shiny look which is easiest to identify on the forehead. A proper skin analysis by your esthetician can help you distinguish dehydration from dry skin.
HA HYDRATING SERUMS
Serums contain more concentrated amounts of HAs than moisturizing creams. At LONGEVITY by Elizabeth Renee we offer several hydrating serums. Find one that's best for your skin type.
This large molecule of HA is in an oil free serum with a soothing aloe vera base and is non-clogging. This is best for younger, sensitive, oily or problem skin types.
This formula uses a surface HA serum that also contains botanical brighteners and hydrating peptides. Great for dehydrated skin that needs brightening for uneven discolorations.
This is a multi-dimensional HA that perfectly hydrates deeply dehydrated skin as well as providing comfort for dehydrated surface layers. Perfect for more mature dehydrated skin.
This HA serum provides great hydration as well as growth factors that introduce reparative molecules that are meant to boost metabolism and repair for mature skin types.
MOISTURIZERS
After applying a hydrating serum (which may be combined with another repair serum if you like) you should seal that in with an emollient cream. Here are some of our best if you suffer from dryness or dehydration:
This soothing light weight moisturizer contains a fair amount of jojoba oil. A non-clogging oil that's perfect for rebalancing sensitive, dehydrated, oily skin to a more comfortable state.
This buttery yet greaseless cream is for dehydrated skin considered to have a normal amount of sebum (oil). This creme works with skin’s natural moisturizing lipids to reprogram dull, dehydrated skin to measurably retain an increased amount of moisture by adding optimal nutritional levels of Vitamins A, C & E.
This intensely rich creme infuses dry, sensitive skin with a surge of rejuvenating lipids and ultra-soothing antioxidants. Replacing sensitive skin and dry, fine lines with a remarkably soft, supple and comfortable complexion.
Our most emollient cream delivers continuous bursts of moisture between cells to rehydrate and soften lines. A specialized rosemary extract inspires up to a 450% increase in barrier lipid production. This noticeably reprograms extremely dry skin to act smoother and more youthful.
SPA THERAPY FOR DRY OR DEHYDRATED SKIN
Moisture Immersion - Deluxe Therapy
This is a super relaxing and effective therapy for dehydrated skin. Here is an outline of the steps involved:
First one needs to whisk away those dull, dry surface cells, because you can’t really bring back dead cells, you must remove them. We do this using a gentle hydrating enzyme peel boosted by ultrasound exfoliation.
Then we focus on imbibing moisture into your skin via a water loving, hyaluronic acid concentrate that fits your skin type. Penetration is enhanced using negatively charged galvanic ions.
To build a better lipid barrier we rely on rich emollients and skin nutrients introduced through a soothing massage.
After massage we use a moisture drenching collagen mask to calm and super hydrate your skin. (Collagen is another great humectant.)
Finally, Red Light Therapy is used to stimulate skin's reparative energy through increased ATP. Increased ATP is a valuable tool to improve healing time for dehydrated skin. Your skin is left feeling wonderfully calm, smooth, fresh and well hydrated.
Elizabeth believes in "Longevity Skincare", the idea that beautiful skin can endure throughout one's lifetime when utilizing the best that science and nature has to offer. LONGEVITY is a science - based skincare line that appreciates skin of all ages. LONGEVITY by Elizabeth Renee provides hydration, nutrition and protection from environmental aging. Your skin will receive high performance ingredients to help energize and repair its cells, resulting in a healthy skin with an enduring, vital glow.
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