Caring for SkinApr 29, 2026

How to Treat Dehydrated Skin

In This Article

Summary

Dry skin is different from dehydrated skin. Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a skin condition that can occur in anyone and is based on a variety of factors.
Sources of dehydrated skin include UV exposure, daily habits (like stress, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle choices), and, of course, a chronic lack of hydrating skincare products.
Caring for dehydrated skin takes consistency, in both personal wellness and skincare products. Reach for products that soothe, calm, and hydrate. And wear sunscreen daily to fight UV damage.

Dehydrated skin can sneak up on any of us. And the sources for this frustrating skin condition are plentiful — but thankfully so are the solutions. Keep reading to find out more.

Your skin might be stressed. Aging, climate changes, dietary habits, and UV exposure can leave it struggling. Unexplained redness, dehydration, and dullness might be your skin’s way of saying ‘help!’ Dehydrated skin can be especially difficult to address — and it is different from dry skin. We break down how to treat dehydrated skin and explore what might be causing your skin's dehydration.

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin

As we’ve uncovered in a past article, dry skin is different from dehydrated skin. Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a skin condition. In its simplest terms, you are naturally born with your skin type. Conversely, your skin condition, such as dehydration, is what occurs to your skin due to a variety of environmental and behavioral factors. Skin conditions can happen to anyone, at any time.

Signs of Dry Skin

People with dry skin types often find their skin lacking oil. Your skin produces less sebum than normal skin, which means it is without the lipids it needs to retain moisture. The dryness can occur all over your body, from your face and scalp to your hands and legs. While you drench your skin with moisture and hydration, those moisturizers and lotions tend to sink in and be soaked up quickly. Dry skin can also be accompanied by flaking, cracking, sensitivity, itchiness, or skin conditions like eczema.

Signs of Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin means there is a lack of water in your skin. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it produces more oil to compensate and try to regain its lost water, which can lead to blemishes, irritation, and dry patches. Dehydration affects all skin types, including oily skin.

What Causes Dehydrated Skin?

While a lack of hydrating skincare products can certainly lead to skin becoming dehydrated over time, this skin condition is also influenced by many external and internal factors. Here are a few of the most common.

UV Exposure

The sun stresses our skin out! Too much exposure to UVB causes the outermost layers of our skin to become red and inflamed (including sunburn and dehydrated, flaky skin). At the same time, too much exposure to UVA damages the deeper layers of our skin (potentially causing wrinkles and sunspots). The accumulation of this sun stress on the skin leads to visible signs of skin aging. This becomes visible both by the end of summer (those extra sun spots you notice by fall), but also in the long term as we get older (larger, darker sun spots and more pronounced wrinkles). We’ll discuss skincare options below to counteract UV exposure, but proper repair treatments and daily SPF protection are also essential.

Daily Habits

Dietary choices, smoking, excessive alcohol, and a lack of sleep are all linked with stressed, dehydrated skin. In one study from 2019, researchers discovered that smoking “could affect the biophysical parameters of skin, especially thickness and density of dermis and epidermis, and also nasolabial folds.” Another study noted that smoking causes “systemic dehydration” in the body, including skin moisture.

Even if you eat a healthy diet and do not smoke or misuse alcohol, sleep troubles could be sabotaging your skin. Dehydrated, dull skin and reduced elasticity are direct results of sleep deprivation, which impairs the skin's barrier function, increases inflammation, and accelerates signs of aging, notes a 2022 study. (Alarmingly, these skin issues can become noticeable after just one night of deprivation…)

Climate Changes

Extreme cold and heat, low (or incredibly high) moisture levels, and increased pollution levels can wear on the skin. Increased oxidative stress, fluctuating weather, and poor air quality can directly contribute to dehydration, redness, blemishes, irritation, and even eczema. This is a frustrating factor because it is somewhat out of your control (and the stress can actually lead to more skin irritation). Skincare can help with many of these issues, though, helping to shield skin from future damage.

Skincare For Dehydrated Skin

Daily healthy habits will certainly help with chronic dehydration, but skincare is also a fantastic way to quickly address this issue. Remaining consistent with your ideal skincare routine as you are with your daily lifestyle habits is key, but so is choosing the right products and ingredients. Before we get into specific products for dehydrated skin, here are a few key ingredients to be on the lookout for.

Hydration Heroes

Seek out formulas that include hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. These are endlessly studied, proven, and reliable to flood skin with juicy hydration, restorative benefits, and soothing relief.

Aloe Vera

Once deemed only for the after-sun aisle, aloe vera has finally stepped into the reparative spotlight. While it’s fantastic at addressing sun stress, it also delivers soothing relief to dehydrated skin. Naturally rich in polysaccharides that have powerful hydrating and soothing properties, aloe vera is finally becoming a star in everyday skincare products. Aloe can rehydrate and retain water in dehydrated skin (whether the dehydration is from sun exposure or a lack of sleep), while also helping skin recover quickly by boosting cellular turnover — bringing new, healthy skin cells to the surface for healthier-looking skin.

Up-and-Coming Multitaskers

While worthy ingredients get much of the attention, there is also a new crop of exciting ingredients worth considering, including ectoin, apricot oil, and Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3. Ectoin is quickly becoming a skincare must-have thanks to the antioxidant’s benefits, which include hydrating, soothing, pore-minimizing, and protective effects against oxidative damage.

Dehydrated Skin Treatments

It can feel frustrating to deal with chronically dehydrated skin. But with daily habits and selective skincare products, your skin can return to a thriving state. Here are a few skincare products that will help get your skin back on track.

Sun Protection that Repairs as it Protects

Can sunscreen help with dehydrated skin? Yes, particularly The Milky Sunscreen, which does more than just protect from UV rays with broad-spectrum SPF 50+; it also quenches skin with deep cellular hydration. Refreshingly lightweight, the milky formula absorbs quickly and addresses past UV-induced damage. It is also clinically proven to reduce redness and soothe — an added plus for dehydrated and sun-stressed skin.

Sunscreen should always be the last step in your morning skincare routine, no matter if your skin is dry or dehydrated. The Milky Sunscreen helps protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays that can dry out the skin and prevent future sun damage.

A Face Wash that Nourishes as it Cleanses

Cleansing is an important step, but it can also cause dehydration—blame harsh face washes. Grab a creamy cleanser, like The Rice Wash, or a soothing cleansing balm, like The Indigo Cleansing Balm, to wash away stubborn makeup and residue while restoring the skin’s moisture barrier, a key to addressing dehydration.

Flood the Skin with Hydrating Essentials

Layer on hydration staples like The Essence. This plumping skin treatment is a deeply hydrating and resurfacing step. It is formulated with 98.6 percent pure Japanese superfoods to maximize the performance of your skincare products and to enhance their effectiveness. Follow this with a potent serum, such as The Dewy Serum or The Serum Stick, to plump and moisturize. Lock in plumping hydration with a rich moisturizer, like the bestselling Dewy Skin Cream, the intensely hydrating Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream, the therapeutic Indigo Calming Cream, or the redness-reducing (and skin-strengthening) Indigo Overnight Repair.

Hydrate Deeply with a Sheet Mask

If skin is craving a little more TLC, try the Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask. This unique, coconut-derived sheet mask boosts your skin's moisture content by up to 200 percent in just 15 minutes, leaving a plump, luminous complexion.

How to Fix Dehydrated Skin

It can take time to treat dehydrated skin, but with consistent skincare (and good habits), your skin can be as radiant and strong as you are.

Treatment Strategies

Cleanse Intentionally

You might have the right cleanser, but it’s possible your cleansing techniques are sabotaging your skin. Knowing how to wash your face might seem intuitive, but it’s not always so obvious. Start with clean hands, gently massage into the skin (ideally for 30 seconds or so), rinse with lukewarm water (rather than hot water), and pat dry with a soft, clean towel.

Apply Skincare ASAP

Immediately after showering or cleansing, apply skincare. The skin is in a precarious position directly after cleansing, susceptible to transepidermal water loss, which can lead to further dehydration and irritation. Damp skin can absorb products more efficiently (much like a damp sponge versus a dry one), so take advantage of this by applying skincare directly after cleansing.

Seal In Moisture

Layering skincare is a great way to address dehydrated skin, but one overlooked step is finishing off with a facial oil. A facial oil basically seals in the dewy moisture underneath it, locking it into place all day or night. Aim for an oil that feels lightweight, nourishes, and imparts a glowy radiance, like the Gold Camellia Beauty Oil. You can apply it after a moisturizer and before a sunscreen, if using it during the day.

Skincare Routine for Dehydrated Skin

Here’s a guide to supporting dehydrated skin, providing the exact order each product should be used.

Step 1: Cleanse with your face wash of choice.

Step 2: Hydrate with an essence to instantly draw moisture back into the skin and prep it for the skincare steps that follow.

Step 3: Apply a serum – ideally a hydrating serum – right after an essence, continuing to lock in hydration with damp skin.

Step 4: Moisturize with the moisturizer of your choice. This can also include following up with a facial oil afterwards, too.

Step 5: Sunscreen goes last in the daytime skincare routine, a must for all skin, including dehydrated skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you treat severely dehydrated skin?

It can be overwhelming to try to repair severely dehydrated skin, but the trick is, as mentioned above, layering hydrating skincare products. We also call this slugging, a technique where soothing and moisturizing products are intentionally layered upon one another to create a hydrating barrier on the skin, helping to repair it over time.

What are common mistakes to avoid when treating dehydrated skin?

One of the hardest things to manage when repairing dehydrated skin is time — it can require patience and consistency to see a difference, sometimes up to several weeks. Another common mistake is overcorrecting dehydrated skin with excess exfoliation, thinking it will wipe out the dry skin altogether — although it's more likely to cause even more dehydration. Stick with soothing skincare products until the skin barrier is back to equilibrium.

How do I prevent dehydrated skin?

The best way to prevent dehydrated skin in the first place is to have a consistent skincare routine and good lifestyle habits. Cleansing intentionally, using hydrating skincare products, visiting your dermatologist yearly, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and sleeping well all contribute to healthier skin.

Is double cleansing ok for dehydrated skin?

Double cleansing is great for dehydrated skin — the trick is using the right products. Rather than harsh cleansers, seek out a nourishing cleansing oil and face wash that support the skin's barrier rather than compromising it.

Recent Posts

View all

Caring for SkinJun 11, 2026

Is Matcha Good for Acne?

Matcha is a special type of finely powdered green tea prized for its bright green hue, distinct cultivation practices, ceremonial preparation, and transformative health benefits. The tea is linked with many health benefits, from improving mental alertness, fighting free radicals thanks to the potent antioxidants, and boosting numerous cognitive functions. Additionally, matcha is also proven to be wonderfully beneficial for reducing blemishes when applied topically, an impressive fact proven by numerous clinical studies.

Caring for SkinJun 11, 2026

The Best Foaming Facial Cleanser

Foaming cleansers can be effective for all, but the secret to using them correctly is discovering a formula that is ideal for your skin type. A creamy foaming cleanser, which imparts a soft hydration onto the skin as cleansing, is more ideal for dry skin, while a refreshing foaming cleanser that includes oil-balancing ingredients is more ideal for combination and oily skin tones. Some formulas work by allowing the dense bubbles to grasp onto debris, sebum, and makeup, washing away in a single step. While other formulas might need an oil cleanser first to break down these trickier long-lasting ingredients.

Caring for SkinJun 10, 2026

The Best Blemish Begone Skincare Products

Blemishes can be caused by a variety of things, and are a fact of life. But choosing the right skincare products can help you keep breakouts at arm’s length. Blemishes happen to all of us. But to some of us, they happen more often than not. We call ourselves blemish-prone. And in addition to our usual skincare routines for morning and night, we make active choices about the products we use to make sure blemishes stay away. The word blemish, from the French blessmiss—to make angry—might be the most polite way to refer to many types of skin blemishes like acne, pimples, zits, and all of the other names we ascribe to those skin reactions that cause small unusual bumps. A bit ironique, considering that the word we now associate with acne connotes an imperfection or something else wrong. And while acne can be caused by imbalances in the skin, it’s common enough for all of us not to make it such a big deal. These are not mountains. They’re even much smaller than molehills. Still, those who deal with blemish- or acne-prone skin know that not all skincare products are created for the same skin type. All of us need to choose the right cleanser and moisturizer for our skin, but how we do so is up to us—and, usually, to the specifics of our skin’s behavior. A dermatologist should be your first stop on your skincare journey, but the following guide can help shed a little light on the acne-prone skin type, and some of the common skincare choices (and the optimal acne skincare routine!) made by those who have it. What is blemish-prone skin? Blemish-prone skin is another term for oily skin, which is one of the major skin types. Oily skin is usually categorized by skin that produces more sebum than so-called “normal” skin, but there are a few ways to glean more information about how your skin behaves at baseline. “Oil” is a poetic name for sebum, the waxy substance made of lipids like cholesterol, squalane, and glycerides that is secreted from sebaceous glands that sit within pores and hair follicles. Sebaceous glands are an important mechanism that our skin uses to moisturize and protect itself. Many of our sebaceous glands can be found on our faces and scalps, though there are a few places we don’t have sebaceous glands—like on our lips, or the bottoms of our feet. Sebum is a protective substance that helps to seal moisture by shoring up our skin barrier. In other words, it’s a good thing to have. But those with oily skin can have too much of it, and too much can lead to a higher incidence of breakouts. While oily skin can be a genetic trait, it can also be influenced by the environment around us—the climate, for instance—and our own behaviors—like how we take care of our skin. How do blemishes occur? You’re unlikely to find the term “blemish” in dermatology coursework. Generally, when we’re talking about a blemish, we’re talking about a form of acne, which is described most concisely as a blocked hair follicle. The pores that dot our skin are small channels that house sebaceous glands and hair follicles; they help traffic sebum up and out of skin. When sebum and dead skin clogs a pore, it may become what is called “common acne”, though there are a few types. Blackheads and whiteheads are caused by sebum buildup, and are distinguished by whether or not they’re open (and black) or closed (and white). When an infectious bacteria is introduced, it can cause a more robust infection, resulting in other forms of acne like papules and pustules that are painful to the touch. If you need help identifying what kind of blemish has popped up on you, head to your nearest dermatologist’s office to find out. What are the most important blemish skincare steps? Perhaps the most important thing to do in the face of acne is: Not panic! Breakouts happen to all of us, and usually fix themselves on their own. But if you identify with the oily skin type, and find yourself devoting more time to quelling breakouts than you’d like, you might want to consider some of the skincare products for oily skin, which are popular among those with acne-prone skin. A few common switches include: Cleansing with a gel. Dermatologists at the University of Florida Health once proclaimed that “the most important thing you can do for oily skin is to keep your skin clean.” Those with oily skin may want a cleansing formula with more reach than surface-level face washes—something that can cleanse pores deeply, ensuring they remain clear of acne-causing buildup. Gel cleansers are usually the ones for the job. Water-based gel cleansers are slippery, clear, and tend to foam up. Tatcha’s brand new Matcha Cleanse is a soapless gel that deeply decongests pores— thanks to a unique gel-to-foam texture—to reduce oil, and visibly calm skin without stripping. The Matcha Foam Cleanser takes on oiliness with a gentle touch: balancing the microbiome, soothing, and calming. Exfoliating with acids. There’s a reason that the inventors of alpha hydroxy acids have been honored all over the world. Their contribution to skincare includes one of the most popular exfoliating acids of all time—and it’s a boon for those with oily skin. AHAs, as they’re known, help to “peel” the skin by breaking down the bonds between old and new skin cells. Exfoliation is essential for all skin types, but the ease of AHAs and their efficacy in removing dead skin makes them great for oily skin. They’re commonly recommended to those with oily and acne-prone skin, especially in the form of a daily treatment. A product like the Texture Tonic, which takes the form of a lightweight daily toner, allows you to fit gentle exfoliation into your regular skincare routine—right between cleansing and moisturizing. Its AHAs come from a cornucopia of fruit sources proven to resurface uneven and dull skin—leaving it smooth and radiant. Moisturizing with water Sure, the idea of moisturizing with nothing but water may sound counterintuitive, or downright impossible. And yet it's the animating idea behind the Water Cream, Tatcha’s best-selling moisturizer for oily skin. This lightweight, oil-free cream has a bursting effect when applied, flooding the skin with vital and necessary hydration. It’s also beloved for its powerful superplant ingredients that address traits commonly found in oily skin, like antioxidant-rich wild rose (which has the benefit of smoothing the appearance of large pores) and anti-inflammatory heartleaf extract (a natural azelaic acid alternative). Masking with clay When it comes to natural ingredients that help oily skin, you can’t beat clay. Clay helps absorb excess oil, and is said to also draw impurities out of the skin. Anyone who has used a clay mask can attest to its drying powers, which is why it’s not usually a daily ingredient. Instead, it's suited for more irregular use, like in a face mask. The Clarifying Clay Mask, formulated as a treatment for oily skin, uses marine mineral-rich kucha clay sourced from the islands of Okinawa. For centuries prior, Okinawan women have cherished kucha clay for its superb oil-absorbing properties, using it as a hair powder or face mask. When mixed with volcanic ash and exfoliating Japanese konjac, it makes for smoother, clearer skin in no more than three minutes. 180 seconds per week may not alone calm oily or blemish-prone skin, but good holistic skincare habits will.

View all

Subscribe to our newsletter

By signing up, you agree with our privacy policy.

Bag

How to Treat Dehydrated Skin

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin

Signs of Dry Skin

Signs of Dehydrated Skin

What Causes Dehydrated Skin?

UV Exposure

Daily Habits

Climate Changes

Skincare For Dehydrated Skin

Hydration Heroes

Aloe Vera

Up-and-Coming Multitaskers

Dehydrated Skin Treatments

Sun Protection that Repairs as it Protects

A Face Wash that Nourishes as it Cleanses

Flood the Skin with Hydrating Essentials

Hydrate Deeply with a Sheet Mask

How to Fix Dehydrated Skin

Treatment Strategies

Cleanse Intentionally

Apply Skincare ASAP

Seal In Moisture

Skincare Routine for Dehydrated Skin

Frequently Asked Questions

Recent Posts

Subscribe to our newsletter