Dehydration is excessive loss of water from the body. In the skin on the face, dehydration occurs when there is a deficiency of water in the surface layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. The signs of dehydration include skin tightness or tautness, and flaking. Having a drier skin can also accentuate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you suffer from dry or dehydrated skin, you may experience some irritation, inflammation or redness, and sometimes a stinging sensation as dehydrated skin is more vulnerable to irritants. All skin types, even those with oily skin can suffer from dehydrated skin.

The Cause

WHAT CAUSES DRY/DEHYDRATED SKIN?

Dehydration is often caused by environmental exposure and the effects of photoageing.

Environmental factors: Overexposure to the sun can cause water to evaporate from our skin, which also explains why sunburned areas tend to feel especially dehydrated. Air conditioning, heating, long showers, flying and certain medications can also increase your likelihood of developing dehydration and sensitivity.

Over-cleansing: By overdoing the cleansing, you can strip away your skin’s natural oil and dissolve the protective lipid barrier. Avoid excessive scrubbing and bathing, and stick to cleansing once at morning and once at night with a soap-free product that is compatible with your skin type.

Lifestyle choices: Your diet can play a huge role in the health of your skin. People who are on low, or no-fat eating regimes could likely be missing out on fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,F,K) as well as vital essential fatty acids (EFA) that can be very beneficially for your skin. Alcohol and caffeine can have diuretic effects, the effects of which mean that extra fluid intake is needed to prevent dehydration.

The skin’s lipid barrier plays an important role in maintaining the overall skin health. The lipid barrier of the stratum corneum helps to prevent dryness and dehydration, working to retain vital moisture within the skin. When the lipid barrier is disrupted the skin can experience excessive moisture loss that can result in dehydrated skin.

The Treatment

HOW TO TREAT DRY & DEHYDRATED SKIN

• Ensure you are protecting your skin from the sun every day using a Daily UV Protective Moisturiser
• Support the skin’s Lipid Barrier Function.
• Use moisturising ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid (Provitamin B5) which act as humectants, helping to maintain and attract moisture in the skin.
• Ensure you are consuming the recommended daily intake of water to stay hydrated.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in essential fats to support the function of your skin.

Ultra Technology Spotlight

BIOMIMETIC MOISTURISING INGRDIENTS

The Ultraceuticals moisturiser range features an exclusive blend of moisturising ingredients designed to help strengthen the lipid barrier function and support long lasting hydration. Ultra Moisturiser range features powerful biomimetic ingredients that mimic the skin’s own moisturising agents, allowing them to be readily accepted by the skin. These biomimetic ingredients include: Ceramide-3, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid & Cholesterol, help strengthen the lipid barrier function while Sodium PCA, Urea and Sodium Hyaluronate support the skin's Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF) to help optimise hydration levels within the skin.

Key Ingredients: Dehydration

Biomimetic ingredients mimic the key molecules that would naturally be found in and around the cells in the epidermis to provide the skin with a healthy barrier function.

Ultra Technology Spotlight

DOUBLE DOSE OF VITAMIN B FOR THE ULTIMATE BOOST OF HYDRATION.

Hydrating Serum is enriched with potent levels of both D-Panthenol (Provitamin B5) and anti-ageing Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide). This double dose of Vitamin B works to visibly plump and reduce fine lines and wrinkles to give the skin a supple, dewy and more youthful appearance.

It also contains Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) which adds and assists to retain moisture to the skin. It is reported to bind 1000 times its own weight in water.