What is dehydration?

Dehydration, a skin condition, is the loss and lack of water in skin cells of the epidermis, the most outer layer of the skin. This process of losing passing water of the epidermis through evaporation is scientifically referred to as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). It is important to understand that this skin condition can be attributed to a number of causes and factors, both internal and external to the human body. Proper methods should be considered when trying to fight skin dehydration effectively.

How to recognize skin dehydration?

• Dullness or lack of “color” - Does your skin look less bright, lacking of color, almost grey?

• Roughness - Does your skin feel bumpy, uneven, flaky?

• Tightness - Does your skin feel taut or lack “bounciness”?

• Sensitivity - Does your feel irritated or sensitive to products?

• Accelerated displays of aging - Does you notice fine lines, sagging, wrinkles?

Disclaimer: Not all symptoms may be present.

What are the causes of dehydration?

Internal:

Water - Take a look at how much water you are drinking in a day. When the body is thirsty and lacking sufficient water, often times it can be evident in the skin. Is there enough water in your daily diet? Do you consume foods that are high in water content?

Lifestyle - Excessive exercise, smoking and drinking can also dehydration of the body and therefore the skin. Without balance and proper intake of water and fluids, the skin can show clear signs of dehydration of the body.

Aging - As the body naturally ages, the sensation of thirst decreases and the kidney’s ability to conserve water weakens. This increases the chances of dehydration of the body and skin. It is imperative to be conscious of water intake as one ages.

External:

Sun - Because the sun is a blazing inferno of hot gas, it can definitely cause skin dehydration on a regular basis. The heat causes water to evaporate from the skin at an accelerated rate.

Water - Hot showers and hard water can both contribute to dehydrated skin. The friction and heat from hot water can strip and damage the skin. The minerals in hard water can be left behind on the skin and the minerals can remove and absorb water from the skin.

Climate/Environment - Heavy pollution, continuous use of air conditioning, and heating can all cause the evaporation of water in the air and contribute to skin dehydration. Cold dry winters and hot dry summers can also cause increased evaporation from the skin.

Skin Products - Different skin care products can cause and increase skin dehydration. Products with ingredients such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and hexachlorophene can break down the skin and strip it of water.

How can I tackle dehydration?

There are many possible answers to this question. While combatting dehydration might seem straightforward, each individual experiences dehydration as a result of different causes. Remember that solutions will not always look the same for each person. For some, increasing water intake or taking cooler showers could make a significant difference. For others, it could be using a humidifier or incorporating hydrating products.

And when incorporating products, it is also crucial to look at ingredients and what purpose they serve. Products with both humectant and occlusive agents will both serve to attract and lock in the water in the skin. /u/Blackcats666 breaks down occlusives in this great guide. We will also have a Ingredient and Product Analysis Guide on humectant agents coming up on Wednesday and a Product Analysis on hydrating toners on Thursday, so be sure to be on the lookout for more Ingredient Analysis, Guides and Discussions on dehydration and hydrating ingredients here and on /r/abdiscussion.

What are your personal experiences, approaches, and solutions to skin dehydration?

And as always, YMMW.