Signs of Dehydrated Skin
Is your skin feeling a little greasy but also dry? Maybe it’s got an oily film a little while after completing your skincare routine? That could be a sign your skin is dehydrated, not just oily.
Even oily or combination skin can get dehydrated in the winter. It means your skin is lacking water, so it overcompensates by producing extra oil.
Another sign? Your skin might look dull and tired. When there’s not enough water, skin’s natural exfoliation slows down, leaving dead skin cells behind, which can highlight fine lines and make your complexion look uneven.
Dehydrated skin can also feel rough; it feels like your makeup doesn’t sit right or products just aren’t absorbing like they should. It’s a clear sign that your skin’s moisture barrier needs some extra TLC.
How to correct dehydrated skin at home
To correct dehydrated skin at home, you can use a gentle exfoliating product like an enzyme peel or an exfoliating mask to help with speeding up cell turnover. This will help with brightening the complexion by getting rid of dead skin cells and also prepare the skin for absorbing hydration.
My favourite home facial includes the Byonik Enzyme Peel mask, followed by surge hydrating hyaluronic acid serum from Cosmedix with a massage, followed by the Byonik Mask & Nightcare, which has shea butter, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid for deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin or you can use a sheet mask. I love the hydrating masks from Sarah Chapman – some of the very few beauty skincare products that I like.
Product suggestions for dehydrated skin
Cleansers – Dermaviduals milk or Gel Cleanser, Cosmedix Purity clean, Revision Skin Care papaya Enzyme cleanser
Serum – Revision Skincare – Dr. Rabia Malik Serum – Skin Serum – Alumier MD Hydraboost
Moisturiser – BRC – Light Moisturiser – Revision Skin Care
Clinic Treatments for Dehydrated Skin
- Hydrafacial
- Byonik
- Dermafrac
- ColdJet Plasma
- Cryo
How to use salicylic acid effectively in a skin routine
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, which means it is oil-based. It is effective in treating acne and oily skin because it can cut through the oiliness of the skin and build up in pores.
While it is a great active to combat acne, it helps with getting rid of dead skin cells It is very important to use this acid correctly for achieving effective results without overdrying the skin.
The first thing to consider is which product are you using the salicylic acid in? It is available in cleansers, toners, as spot treatments or serums.
The concentration is usually between 0.5% and 2%. In my opinion salicylic acid should always be used with the guidance of a professional.
Overuse of cleansers that contain salicylic acid can have the opposite effect and cause barrier disruption by overdrying the skin. In general, These should only be used 3-4 times / week and these are very acne prone skin, and not for skin that feels a bit greasy.
Salicylic acid in toners and serums may have a slightly higher concentration. Again, overuse can cause drying of the skin. It is important to complement its use with soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, niacinamide and aloe vera.
Products with a higher concentration than 2% will usually only be for spot treatment.
Using other harsh exfoliants like alpha hydroxyl acids and scrubs isn’t a good idea, the skin may feel very smooth and radiant for a little while but barrier disruption will soon set it and take much longer to heal.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning – while this is a treatment I am always on the fence about I do understand the value that it hold for many people who feel they have peach fuzz and cant find a way to get rid of it. Laser isn’t always the best way forward with the risk of reactive hair growth and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and sometimes waxing and threading can leave you with spots and a rash. So I hear you.
But here is some advice – don’t do it at home, it increased the risk of infection. Make sure you get it done professionaly with a hygienic blade that is good quality.
You are removing the top layer of your skin along with the peach fuzz to take care of it like you would post an intensive skin peel, use barrier building ingredients in your skincare. Don’t use make up for 24-48 hrs after. Don’t engage in sweat inducing exercise and sauna.