According to the many magazine/blog articles devoted to the subject, dehydration is a major concern among skincare fans.  This is for good reason, as it is a very common issue and can affect any skin type.

There are numerous products on the market to prevent or cure it but what is it, how do you know if you have it and what really works to prevent it?

Dehydration is the lack or loss of water in our skin. It can be superficial or run deeper.

Testing hydration with our PDM skin diagnostic machine.

Most of us will experience superficial dehydration from time to time. It shows as sudden fine lines appearing on the face, often noticeable in straight lines around our eyes and cheeks. This is due to the temporary loss of water from the upper layers of the skin and is brought on by simply not drinking enough water for a couple of days, consuming too much alcohol on a big night out, after a sun holiday or exposure to dry heat such as when we start lighting fires or turn on the heating for the winter. Being sick, particularly with a raised temperature, will also cause a temporary loss of water. Simply drinking more good fluids will soon restore this balance in a healthy, functioning skin.

For some, dehydration will run deeper and cause more problems. Flaky, itchy, reactive problems often start with dehydration. Confusingly, this skin can also seem shiny at times, leading sufferers to think their skin is oily. In fact, this shine is from water evaporating too fast when you do drink it. The reason for this condition is actually a lack of oil in the skin. One function of the oil is to keep water in the skin where it is needed for many functions. When this natural barrier is unbalanced it can’t stop water from evaporating, leading to the symptoms outlined above.
Most of the impaired water/oil balance that I see in clients is due to using the incorrect products for their skin, keeping a bad diet or lifestyle choices that are unhealthy in general. Some medications can also contribute to dehydration.

If your skin is showing signs of dehydration here’s some changes you can make to help:

• Consume more good fluids. This is the number one thing you can do for skin health. This can be from water, herbal teas (caffeine-free of course), juices, soup, fruit, vegetables and salads. Avocado, nuts, oily fish and seeds will support your lipids and slow water loss.
• Protect your skin from the outside with nourishing facial oils; look for ingredients like plant butters, ceramides, squalane, jojoba seed oil, avocado seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, hyaluronic acid.

-Our Lipid Repair Concentrate will quickly help to balance a dehydrated skin. If you are very dry, try our Skin Comfort Oil instead. Use at night alone or mixed with your regular night cream.

We highly recommend Skin Comfort Cream, rich, comforting and non-greasy you can use it day or night. It was created by Mariga especially for Irish skin and Irish weather! Pro tip: mix with your facial oil for a lovely overnight treatment.

–Hyaluronic+ Moisture Boost serum is rich in hyaluronic acid (the rehydration absolute hero ingredient!) to hold water in the skin. Use it under SPF during the day and/or under your night products. A must-have for anyone suffering from dehydration.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, stress, direct heat and processed foods as much as possible.
• Always be gentle with your skin. Avoid any skincare products containing fragrance or sulphates. Exfoliate only when necessary and use an enzyme based exfoliator only, never scrub.

Winter skin hero. Use alone or with Lipid Repair Concentrate for soft, hydrated, radiant skin whatever the weather.

Fun fact: too much water can lead to dehydration!!
While the skin is great at absorbing water, it’s not great at holding on to it. As the skin softens on prolonged contact with water, like during a long bath, its barrier weakens leading to water loss and dehydration, so luxuriating in the bath too often really will leave you looking like a prune!

Do you struggle with dehydrated skin? Call us on 053 9145981 or call in to our clinic, Skin Essentials by Mariga, in Selskar, Wexford Town and let us help you to get back on track.

Have you read Mariga’s e-book yet? ‘The Skincare Rules’ is packed full of simple, easy to implement tips that will help to get you great skin – for life!

The Skincare Rules by Skin Essentials founder Mariga Sheedy. Everything you need to know to get great skin, for life.