If your skin looks dull, flaky, and tired, there are chances it's dehydrated. For the unaware, dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture bank runs very low – more on that ahead. Not to be confused with dryness, dehydration is an underlying concern that impacts folks with different skin types.    

The good news is that dehydration can be reversed with simple tweaks in your skincare and daily lifestyle. So, keep reading. We help you with signs to recognize dehydration and how to treat it right. 

Difference Between Dry And Dehydrated Skin 

Contrary to the common misconception, dry and dehydrated skin aren’t the same. Dryness occurs when your skin loses moisture molecules drastically, a.k.a. transepidermal water loss. This is because dry skin sees less than adequate sebum production, failing to lock the hydration into the dermis. 

On the other hand, dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture content is depleted. You can experience dehydration with dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types. 

Signs Of Dehydrated Skin  

Wondering if your skin is dehydrated? Scroll ahead for the most common signs and symptoms of this underlying concern -

1. Dull and tired looking skin: Ample hydration contributes significantly to your skin’s glow. That’s right. The lack of moisture molecules impacts the skin’s elasticity and ability to reflect light – making it look dull and tired.

2. A weakened barrier: The skin’s outermost layer a.k.a. the lipid barrier fends off harmful pathogens, bacteria, pollutants, and other environmental aggressors. Timely and adequate hydration ensures this barrier’s optimal functionality for healthy skin. On the other hand, dehydration weakens the barrier and leads to inflammation and flare-ups.

3. Fine lines and wrinkles: Dehydration in the long run results in the skin looking shallow and less elastic. On top of this, the reduced Collagen levels cause premature fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Increased oiliness despite dryness: Yes, you read that right. The lack of hydration cues the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode – leading to more greasiness than ever. This implies that hydration is vital for all skin types including oily. 

Causes Of Dehydrated Skin 

Dehydrated skin can occur due to a plethora of reasons. Ahead, we list the common ones -

1. Not drinking enough water: If you’re not hydrating enough (internally), the first place you will see an impact is your skin. It may look rough, flaky, dull and/or inflamed. To circumvent this problem, we recommend at least 8 glasses of water daily. The best drinks for hydration also include infused water (water infused with fruits and herbs).

2. Use a hydrating skincare routine: The best way to revive your dull, dehydrated skin? Invest in a hydrating skincare routine comprising 5 steps.

- Cleanse: Use a gentle and non-drying face wash to remove dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores. This step ensures better absorption of your hydrating serum/treatment. 

- Tone: Expel remaining impurities or makeup residue with a toner in your skincare rotation. This lightweight formula restores your skin’s pH while boosting hydration. 

FAQs 

1. What is the best serum for dehydrated skin? 

Foxtale’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum works well for dehydrated skin. The formula seeps 6X deep into the skin to replenish its moisture reservoir.

2. Can drinking more water really improve skin hydration?  

Yes, drinking more water does improve hydration only when supplemented with an infallible skincare routine. 

Conclusion 

Dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture reservoir is low. This concern looks different for different folks, with symptoms ranging from itchiness to dullness to sunken eyes. If your skin is dehydrated, adhere to hydrating skincare, drink 8 glasses of water daily, steer clear of exfoliation, and load up on hydrating fruits and veggies 

 A facial serum carries a high concentration of one or more active ingredients. The formula’s watery consistency allows it to seep into the skin, addressing specific concerns like dullness, dehydration, and more. Trust this nifty little tube to transform your skin 180 degrees. 

However, using a serum incorrectly reduces its efficacy. So, if you have been using a result-oriented treatment and not seeing visible improvement in the skin – it's time to backtrack your steps. Common application mistakes include  – using too little or too much product, skimping on sunscreen, and layering incompatible products. Keep scrolling to learn more. 

Mistake 1: Choosing The Wrong Serum For Your Skin Type  

The pre-requisite to picking the right serum is having an unerring knowledge of your skin type and its concerns.  

Case in point, if your skin is oily, you need to seek ingredients like Salicylic Acid or Niacinamide in the formulation. On the other hand, sensitive and dry skin can benefit from humectants like Hyaluronic Acid. In other words, map your skin problem to the right active ingredient for best results. 

To get you started, refer to this cheatsheet 

• Vitamin C for brightening
•  Niacinamide for oil control
• Retinol for improved texture, fewer fine lines and wrinkl
• Ceramides for reduced oxidative stress, smoother skin, and long-lasting hydration  

Mistake 2: Using Too Much Or Too Little Product 

When it comes to skincare, less is more. Since a serum is power-packed with actives, you don’t need to go overboard with the product amount. Just take a few drops of the formula and apply it diligently. Overuse of the serum can cause irritation, inflammation, and other flare-ups. 

Mistake 3: Not Layering Skincare Products Correctly 

The order in which you apply the products does matter! No matter how elaborate or simple your skincare routine is, always start with -

1. Cleanse: This step removes dirt, grime, and dead cells from the pores, ensuring a healthy skin microbiome. It also ensures better absorption of your serums and treatments.

2. Tone: A toner expels the remaining impurities from the skin while restoring its pH balance. Pick a variety based on your primary needs like Exfoliating for oil control, hydrating for a refreshing, dewy glow, and so forth.

3, Serum: Now, using a light hand, apply the serum to your face. Observe caution around sensitive areas like the eyes and the mouth. 

4. Moisturize: Next, use moisturizer to seal the treatment and hydration into your skin. Ensure that the formula doesn’t clog pores or make the skin greasy.

5. SPF: Active ingredients make your skin more photosensitive. To avoid tanning, burns, pigmentation, and premature aging, apply 2 fingers’ worth of your fave sunscreen. Experts suggest that Indian skin needs SPF 30 or more to ward off UVA and UVB rays successfully. 

Mistake 4: Rubbing Instead Of Patting The Serum  

Rubbing the serum vigorously is a BIG NO. Use a light hand to pat the formula on your skin. This little step prevents any stress or strain on the face. It also minimizes product wastage and prevents the active’s break down – adding to the efficacy. 

Mistake 5: Mixing Incompatible Ingredients  

Not all active ingredients are compatible. Case in point, layering Vitamin C with AHAs BHAs or Retinol with Salicylic Acid can irritate your skin. Results? Redness, inflammation, flakiness, and other flare-ups. To circumvent this problem, use these skincare acids at different times in your skincare rotation. 

Mistake 6: Skipping Sunscreen After Using Active Serums 

Your efforts for great skin are futile if you aren’t using sunscreen in your routine. You see, certain actives (re: Retinol, AHAs, BHAs) make your skin extremely photosensitive – leading to burns, pigmentation, and aging. To prevent these problems while ensuring infallible sun protection, you need a broad-spectrum SPF. 

Mistake 7: Expecting Instant Results 

Word to the wise – manage your expectations. Don’t anticipate results overnight. If you’re opting for a hydration treatment, you might see results in 2 to 3 days. On the other hand, topical anti-aging serums like Retinol, Ceramide, and Peptides take a few weeks to months to soften fine lines.

Mistake 8: Storing Your Serum Incorrectly 

Why Is It Harmful: Dehydration is one of the biggest culprits of chapped lips.  

How To Fix It: Focus on both hydration (both internal and external). Drink 8 glasses of water daily and use overnight lip masks to rejuvenate the pucker. 

Additional Lip Care Tips For Healthy Lips 

Apart from the above fixes, these tips and tricks will elevate your lip care - 

1. If you’re a lipstick wearer, use a makeup remover to clean your pucker before bed. This step in your PM routine keeps flakiness and dryness at bay – ensuring soft lips.

2. To ensure overnight hydration, dab some coconut oil on your pucker. This emollient seals moisture molecules into the lips, making it soft and smooth.

3. Avoid products with harsh chemicals or strong fragrances. These ingredients dehydrate the lips, leading to flakiness, dryness, and in rare cases, inflammation

Conclusion  

Just like the rest of your face, your lips also need TLC. The pucker is devoid of sebaceous glands, making it more susceptible to dryness and flakiness. Moreover, the skin on your lips is much more sensitive, demanding extra attention. To set things right regarding lip care, avoid licking your lips, over-exfoliating, and wearing lipstick overnight. Additionally, ensure sun protection for the pucker with SPF in your lip balm.