Dehydrated skin 101

Dehydration is more than feeling just a bit, or very, thirsty. It affects the whole body, especially your skin. As the body's barrier and protection from the outside world, keeping your skin hydrated should be near the top of your daily to do list.

But how do you know if your skin is dehydrated? And is there a difference between dehydrated and dry skin? That's what we're here to run you through today, as well as a few hot tips to help you fix it.

What is dehydrated skin?

Dull, dehydrated skin is a skin concern that can happen to any skin type, whether you're prone to oily, combination or dry skin. It shouldn't last very long, but is most noticeable when the skin's outer layer gets damaged because there's not enough moisture to protect it. Your facial complexion might change, skin can be flakier or sensitive, and you might just feel like skin is tighter on your arms, legs or other parts of the body.

How to check if your skin is dehydrated

Here's quick test you can try right now to see what's happening with your skin:

• Pinch the skin on your cheek or the back of your hand

• Notice how long it takes to return to normal

• If it snaps back fast, you're all good, but if it takes a hot few seconds, your skin may be dehydrated.

What causes dehydrated skin?

Essentially, it's a lack of water that's the culprit behind dull, dehydrated skin. Typically it's not one specific thing that causes it, but a combination of different factors, such as:

• The environment you're in, like an air conditioned office

• The season it is, with extreme hot or cold temperatures often causing skin changes

• Certain lifestyle habits, like too much alcohol or stress

• Sun exposure, and

• Even your skincare routine, especially if you overuse harsh products or scrub too hard when cleansing.

So, what does dehydrated skin look like?

Dehydrated skin, close up, doesn't have that gorgeous glow of hydrated skin. Instead of being smooth and supple, dehydrated skin looks tight and dull, and sadly might make you look older than you are. When your skin is crying out for some water, it may start to flake, peel or be tender to the touch.

5 characteristics of dehydrated skin

The signs of dehydrated skin are easy to spot if you know what you're looking for. There are both visual tells as well as signs you can feel. Here's a quick cheatsheet to the most common dehydrated skin symptoms.

1. Tightness

Even after you moisturise, if the skin feels tighter and taut, it could be lacking water. Tightness, especially on your face, can be noticeable when you smile or make an exaggerated facial expression.

2. Redness or sensitivity

Without enough water, your skin's sensitivity is amped up. To the naked eye, this looks like redness, itchy or scaly skin, and certain skincare products might feel harsher. 

3. Wrinkles or fine lines

We've all got our own unique skin, but when it's dehydrated, wrinkles and fine lines can look more pronounced.

4. Oily

If your skin starts to look more glossy than normal but still feels tight, it could be a sign of dehydration. Particularly if you already have a more oily skin type, you might spot excess oil in breakouts, so keep an eye out for any big changes.

5. Dullness

Dehydrated skin texture can feel flakey and even papery because water is what adds to skin's elasticity. Dullness means that the skin doesn't have its typical glow, which comes from the way water keeps skin cells plump and hydrated.

Dry vs dehydrated skin: is there a difference?

Yes! You might not be able to spot it yet, but dry and dehydrated skin are separate skin issues. On the surface (pun intended), the signs and symptoms might look similar, but to the trained eye, there are key differences:

In the battle of dehydrated skin vs dry skin, it's not about winning and losing, but about finding the right skincare routine that helps your skin feel supple and hydrated.

Side note, it's also possible to have dehydrated oily skin, too. When the skin produces way more oil than what's needed to make up for the skin's lack of water, that's when you might spot signs of dehydration. Skin will likely look and feel more oily from clogged pores, a breakout (or five), or become itchy and irritated.

How to fix dehydrated skin

If you know your skin isn't just dry but actually dehydrated, the good news is there's a bunch of different ways to treat it. To give you a head start, we've put together a mini skincare routine for dehydrated skin you can adapt to suit your lifestyle, or share with anyone who's also feeling the pinch!

Step 1: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

One of the best things for dehydrated skin is, spoiler alert, hydration! Don't go jumping into the ocean or having a super long shower just yet. The kind of hydration to replenish skin we're banging on about starts on the inside. This means upping how much water you drink, but also keeping your body's electrolytes in balance. If that's a challenge for you, Sodii can help!

At Sodii, hydration is more than a passion for us, it's about whole body health. Daily hydration can help you perform better and give your skin the minerals it needs to look fuller and function at its best.

One of the key minerals to boost hydration doesn't have a complex scientific name: it's salt. Sodium, to be exact, transports water to your body's cells, which is how they get hydrated. Adding it to your water, in the right amount, can help with fluid absorption. But how much sodium do you need? We've figured it out for you and created the perfect mix.

Hydrate with intention by building your ideal Sodii pack by mixing and matching flavours, sachets and tubs. Sodii is made with Lake Deborah Salt, the highest quality salt in Australia. Featuring the perfect blend of essential minerals, Sodii is an ultra refreshing way to give your skin the hydration it craves.

Step 2: Switch up your skincare

You might be dehydrating your skin without even realising it! The types of products you're using, or your skincare routine itself, can take water away from your skin. Switching out oil-based products for water-based ones, including hydrating serums, can make a big difference to how your skin looks and feels.

But if you're not sure of your skin's hydration level, getting a skin assessment from a dermatologist or skincare professional is a great place to start. They can recommend different procedures, like microneedling, or dehydrated skin products that are best suited to your skin type.

Step 3: Moisturise and use a good quality SPF sunscreen

An easy step to skip, using hydrating moisturisers on your skin and a high-quality sunscreen daily can act as an extra layer of defence for your skin. Especially in the heat of summer and cold of winter, give your skin a little extra TLC to top up its water levels. The reward? Soft, elastic and glowing skin that's hydrated for whatever activities you get into.

Water-you-waiting for: hydrated skin can be yours!

At Sodii, we've taken the guesswork out of hydration and replaced it with science. Our specifically formulated sachets and tubs are Australia's highest rated electrolyte drink, leaving you refreshed and ready to roll.

Hydrate smart, stay salty. Your skin will thank you for it!