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How to Hydrate Skin: Expert Tips for a Healthy Glow
Knowing how to hydrate skin can be surprisingly confusing. While dehydrated skin is incredibly common, many of us still mistake it for dryness, reaching for a richer moisturiser when what our complexion really lacks is water. Celebrity facialist, laser specialist and founder of Cellis Skin, Debbie Thomas, sees this confusion regularly. “Most people think they have dry skin when they are actually just aggressively dehydrating it.”
Part of the confusion stems from the fact that dry and dehydrated skin are often used interchangeably, despite being two very different concerns. “Dehydrated skin is a condition, meaning it’s temporary and treatable, and it can affect absolutely anyone, even people with oily skin,” explains Dr Victoria Russell-Akselberg, aesthetic doctor and founder of Akselberg Clinic. “Dry skin, on the other hand, is a skin type – it’s genetic and lacks oil.”
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“I often see clients who are frustrated because their skin is shiny and breaking out, yet it feels like it’s two sizes too small,” says Thomas. “That shiny-but-tight feeling is the classic sign of dehydration.” According to Russell-Akselberg, other tell-tale symptoms include a dull or tired-looking complexion and makeup that sits unevenly.
Another sign, says Thomas, is the appearance of fine, crepey lines that become more visible when you move your face but seem to disappear once skin is properly hydrated. “That’s transepidermal water loss (TEWL), not ageing,” she explains.
The good news? “Dehydrated skin responds well to the right interventions,” assures Russell-Akselberg. Ahead, both experts share how to hydrate skin, strengthen the skin barrier and restore a healthy glow.
How can I deeply hydrate my skin?
If your skin constantly feels tight despite using moisturiser, the issue may not be a lack of product but a lack of water. “Hydrating the skin means adding water, whereas moisturising means preventing that water from escaping,” explains Russell-Akselberg. “Think of it this way: hydration fills the tank; moisturising puts the lid on.”
For this reason, both experts recommend combining humectants, which attract water into the skin, with barrier-supporting moisturisers that help lock it in. “If you hydrate without moisturising, the water evaporates. If you moisturise without hydrating, you’re just putting a lid on an empty pot,” says Thomas. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin can help draw water into the skin, while ceramides and other emollients help prevent moisture loss.