Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Dehydrated skin

Many people have dry skin. Sometimes we wonder: how can I be breaking out while my skin seems dry? You may have dehydrated skin. Even those with oily skin still may be dehydrated, meaning your skin can have a high sebum level but have a low water content. Many acne treatments can be very drying and irritating, so hydration is even more important for those dealing with oiliness and breakouts. Everyone’s complexion is susceptible to dehydration.
How to tell: Dehydrated skin will seem dull and feel tight. You may have exaggerated wrinkles or deeper, dark circles. If you pinch your cheek gently and it wrinkles your skin may be dehydrated.
Here are a few remedies:
Moisturize. Many of those with oily skin believe this will only make their skin worse. But the skin needs ceramides whether dry or oily. Ceramides are lipids that help the skin retain moisture. A great moisturizer will replenish your skin’s ceramide levels and hydrate it too. So, make sure your moisturizer contains ceramides.
Humidity. Keep the air around you humidified. The dry air in your home and workplace can suck all the moisture out of your skin. Don’t think you need to invest in a whole home humidifier (although that is a good idea). There are many small affordable humidifiers on the market, including portable models.
Exfoliation. Exfoliate once a week. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your face and that keeps your face from properly absorbing products, especially moisturizer. Normal to dry skin will benefit from an exfoliator containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid. They exfoliate upper layers while hydrating. Very oily skin needs a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) like salicylic acid that will better penetrate oil and speed up skin turnover.
Serums. Serums are not moisturizers, but can help them work more effectively. Find one with hyaluronic acid which helps water bind to the collagen in your skin. Serums that contain peptides will boost your skin’s natural ability to produce its own hyaluronic acid also. For those on a budget, you can go back to an old, time tested remedy: Vaseline! Believe it or not, it’s really good for your skin. Put on a thin layer after moisturizing before sleeping. It will seal in all the moisture from the serums and creams you’ve just applied and lock in hydration.
Pay attention to the seasons. If you live in a climate with distinct seasons like the Midwest, you know the humidity levels vary wildly between seasons. Winter is very drying with cold air that tightens pores and reduces circulation. You need a moisture packed routine in the winter (and to keep an eye on room humidity, too). Summer atmosphere holds more water, which is a great boost for the skin, but then too much sunlight can dehydrate so really be vigilant with sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 45 that’s especially formulated for the skin on your face.
And lastly, skin looks good from the inside out so make sure you are drinking enough water!
Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago