English, international website
Dry and dehydrated skin feels tight, itchy and uncomfortable. Affected by a lack of water or sebum, the hydrolipidic film on the skin’s surface is no longer able to protect against external damage.
Is dry skin caused by genetic characteristics? Or are you merely experiencing a temporary period of dehydration? PATYKA explains how to differentiate between dry and dehydrated skin and how to effectively tackle dry skin.
What’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is one of the 4 physiological skin types (normal, oily, combination and dry). It’s caused by genetic factors. Applying suitable skincare products helps to improve the feel of dry skin.
Dehydrated skin is a temporary phenomenon which affects all skin types. Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water.
To combat dehydration and protect the skin from external damage, the epidermis naturally produces a hydrolipidic film. This oily film is made up of sweat and sebum, secreted by the sweat and sebaceous glands at the base of each pore. Dry skin naturally produces very little sebum. The balance between water and lipids is affected and the hydrolipidic film no longer acts as a protective barrier for the skin.
Although your skin type is determined by your genes, it can also be influenced by certain external factors (pollution, climate, pathologies, medication) and by age. During adolescence, raised hormone levels cause excessive sebum production. In middle age, the sebaceous glands become less active because of slower cell renewal; as a result, the skin becomes drier.
How to identify dry and very dry skin?
Dry skin can be identified by:
- feelings of tightness;
- a temporary feeling of discomfort;
- virtually invisible pores;
- a dull complexion;
- thin, rough skin with a loss of elasticity;
- mild flakiness or peeling.
When the skin is very dry, all these symptoms are intensified:
- there’s noticeable tightness;
- there’s a frequent feeling of discomfort;
- the skin feels itchy;
- significant flakiness or peeling;
- the skin is often cracked or chapped.
How to nourish dry and very dry skin?
To combat dry skin, your beauty routine should nourish, moisturise and restore the skin to prevent tightness and itching.
Not sure which products to choose? Browse PATYKA’s range of products for dry skin.
The Huile Absolue is a multi-purpose skincare product which boosts radiance and deeply nourishes the skin. Its formula is packed with squalane, a plant-derived lipid which is similar to sebum, muscat rose, which boasts several essential fatty acids, and St. John’s wort, with its healing and astringent properties. For an intense effect, add 2 to 3 drops to a cream or apply directly to the skin.
Did you know? PATYKA’s Huile Absolue has been taking care of women’s skin for almost a century.
PATYKA’s iconic product was created in 1922 by a Parisian pharmacist. This elixir, made up of 12 essential and plant oils, is known for its nourishing and regenerating properties.
The Intensive Hydra-Soothing Moisturiser, enriched with glacier water from Mont Blanc and organic mango butter, moisturises and nourishes dry and dehydrated skin. Its formula features a pro-ceramides plant complex and plant-derived bisabolol to restore the hydrolipidic film and repair the skin.
The Intensive Moisturising Mask offers powerful hydration and nutrition. It repairs the hydrolipidic film while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin for firm, supple skin. It’s packed with shea butter, which nourishes and soothes irritations, organic jojoba oil, a lipid very similar to sebum, and hexapeptide-11, which has anti-ageing properties.
What are the signs of dehydrated skin?
Dehydrated skin lacks water. It is easily identified by:
- visible, even enlarged pores on certain areas of the face;
- a localised feeling of discomfort, often in the cheeks;
- tightness after cleansing or when outdoors, when the skin is exposed;
- reddening in response to heat or cold.
Dehydrated skin can have various causes:
- the environment (cold weather, winter, wind, pollution, UV, etc.);
- smoking or alcohol abuse;
- emotional factors, stress, fatigue;
- the use of aggressive, abrasive or drying cosmetic products;
- certain medication, including medication for acne and cholesterol.
Did you know? The skin is made up of 70% water¹.
Vital for healthy skin, water hydrates from within and helps to get rid of toxins. It improves the skin’s elasticity and protects the skin by contributing to the composition of the hydrolipidic film.
Water tends to evaporate on the skin’s surface. Drinking at least 1.5 litres of water every day is vital to ensure good hydration.
How to take care of dehydrated skin?
Browse PATYKA’s range of products for dehydrated skin.
Enriched with aloe vera and soothing organic mallow extract, the Soothing Milky Toner is packed with vitamins and trace elements to deeply moisturise and soften the skin for immediate comfort. Apply after gentle cleansing to thoroughly clean skin to brighten the complexion and plump the skin.
Inset: PATYKA’s HYDRA range
The HYDRA collection by PATYKA is a 2-stage skincare range to hydrate, nourish and protect the skin’s hydrolipidic film. It is made up of the Hydra-Booster Serum, rich in hyaluronic acid, and a cream to suit your skin type. The Hydra-Soothing Moisturiser, with glacier water from Mont Blanc, moisturises dehydrated skin and the Intensive Hydra-Soothing Moisturiser, with organic mango butter, nourishes dry skin.
The Hydra-Booster Serum moisturises and brightens the skin. It’s packed with pure plant-derived hyaluronic acid, which can retain 1,000 times its weight in water, and tremella, a fungus with moisturising and film-forming properties which helps the skin’s cells to retain water. With its soothing and restorative properties, bisabolol helps to restore the skin’s moisture balance.
The Hydra-Soothing Moisturiser thoroughly quenches the skin. It soothes, comforts and revitalises the skin with its formula enriched with a pro-ceramides plant complex, which restores and protects the skin’s hydrolipidic film, and glacier water from Mont Blanc which is packed with minerals and trace elements.
To effectively tackle dehydration, it’s important to choose moisturising anti-ageing products such as the Pro-Collagen Lift Mask and the Youthful Lift Eye Cream.
Sources: ¹https://sante.lefigaro.fr/mieux-etre/beaute/structures-roles-peau/quoi-peau-est-elle-composee
https://www.bioderma.fr/votre-peau/peau-deshydratee/pourquoi-ma-peau-est-deshydratee
