Understanding Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin
Dry Skin: A skin type that lacks oil due to reduced sebum production. This lack of sebum results in fewer lipids to retain moisture and build a strong barrier against external aggressors. Dry skin often feels uncomfortable, flaky, and itchy, particularly around the eyebrows, nose, mouth, neck, arms, and thighs.
Dehydrated Skin: A skin condition where the skin lacks water. Signs include tightness, dull appearance, exaggerated wrinkles, redness, congestion, inflammation, itchiness, dark circles, sunken eyes, and fine lines. A pinch test on the cheek can help identify dehydration—wrinkling with gentle pressure indicates a need for water.
Causes of Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin can result from various factors beyond just a lack of moisture:
- Environmental Factors: Prolonged sun exposure, cold wind, air conditioning, and heating.
- Lifestyle Habits: Excessive alcohol, caffeine, smoking, lack of sleep, poor diet, and intense exercise.
- Skincare: Prolonged use of incorrect skincare products.
- Diet: Inadequate water intake and consumption of dehydrating foods and beverages.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Dehydrated Skin
- Hydration: Drink eight glasses of water daily. Incorporate water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, pear, grapes, and avocado. Start the day with a green juice made from celery, spinach, and cucumber.
- Healthy Habits: Reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking, and minimise UVA exposure.
- Balanced Diet: Swap dehydrating foods and beverages for hydrating alternatives.
Beneficial Vitamins for Hydration
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect and soothe the skin.
- Vitamin C: Evens out skin tone, diminishes fine lines, and protects against environmental stressors.
- Vitamin A: Promotes healthy skin cell production, protects against UV damage, and slows signs of ageing.
Recommended Irene Forte Skincare Routine
AM: Almond Cleansing Milk, followed by the Helichrysum Toner, the Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum, the Olive Eye Cream, and then finishing with the Aloe Face Cream. The latter three products are all clinically proven to significantly increase skin hydration. You must always finish with a high protection SPF.
PM: Almond Cleansing Milk, followed by the Helichrysum Toner. Twice a week, add the Almond Face Scrub next. Our favourite tip is exfoliating; as dead skin builds up, it can diminish the absorption of moisturisers. Leave the scrub on for five minutes like a mask, before working the granules around need areas. Follow this with the Pistachio Face Mask. Then, following the toner (or the scrub and mask twice a week), add the Hibiscus Serum, and then the Hibiscus Night Cream. For an added hydration boost, you can also swap the Hibiscus Night Cream with the Pistachio Face Mask, using this overnight. Or, add the Rose Face Oil after the Hibiscus Night Cream.
For extremely dehydrated skin, we would recommend using the Hibiscus Night Cream both day and night. You can also double on your serums, starting with the Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum and following with the Hibiscus Serum.
More Tips and Inisghts
We recommend massaging a particular point, the Chinese point LI2 point (see below). If you massage this point vigorously for at least 1 minute, it can clear heat and expel wind out of the channel in the face.
Consider putting a humidifier in your office or home to keep the air adequately humid so that your skin doesn't release moisture to the air.
Even though we can all experience dehydrated skin at times, a balanced skincare routine and following a few tips consistently means that your skin will feel hydrated, and happy, in no time.
