Is this one thing making you look older than you should?

There are so many factors that contribute to the ageing process of the skin - from environmental pollutants and UV damage, to loss of fatty tissue contributing to deeper wrinkles forming. While some of these factors have to do with our body’s natural processes, some factors are much easier to stay on top of. One such thing that could be causing your skin to look much older than it is (and is way easier to fix than you might think) is dehydration. “Dehydration can worsen the signs of ageing by making skin appear dull, dry and tight, [as well as] cause fine lines in the eye area,” explains Archana Pujary, Senior Formulation Chemist at A’kin.
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So, what is dehydrated skin?
Your skin is dehydrated when there is a lack of water in the top layer of the skin. As Archana explains “[this water] forms a critical barrier to the body’s external environment. Skin [becomes] dehydrated when it lacks a protection barrier achieved when using [the right] moisturisers and oils. Overexposure to the sun also increases dehydration.” But, don’t get dehydrated and dry skin confused - “dry skin is a condition that occurs due to lack of lipids and oils whereas dehydrated skin is due to lack of water in the top layer of the skin which forms a critical barrier against the external environment,” she says. While dry skin is generally easier to identify (think makeup flaking off halfway through the day, itching or flaking) it is important to note that both dry and oily skin can be dehydrated. Oily skin generally overproduces oil but can still be lacking water. A quick way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is the pinch test. Gently lift and release skin between your pointer and your thumb, if you notice prolonged wrinkling and the skin doesn’t bounce back as fast as it should, there's a good chance your skin needs more hydration.
How do we target it?
There are a few key ingredients that work specifically to rehydrate skin and as a result minimise physical signs of ageing. Hyaluronic acid, echium oil and camu camu work together to “infuse skin layers with water, organise layers of the epidermis and seal the outer skin barrier, thereby protecting from external environment,” Archana says. “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws in moisture to the skin, [as well as] echium oil, which delivers moisturising and protection benefits and omega-3 fatty acid to help smooth out fine lines,” she says. Camu camu fruit extract also contains a high percentage of vitamin C, which provides antioxidant protection from the environment. This is important as environmental stressors and pollution are a huge contributor to a loss of hydration in the skin. Ensuring this ingredient has a place in your routine works to combat this, helping your skin to retain that all important moisture.
“The [combination of ingredients] works together to nourish and act as an emollient barrier on the skin, address dehydrated skin and fight against the physical signs of ageing”, such as dull, dry and tight skin, as well as smooth fine lines and wrinkles. When it comes to integrating these anti-ageing game-changers into your routine, they are the most effective in creams due to their ability to “[improve] barrier properties by forming a film on the skin’s surface,” says Archana.
In order to effectively rehydrate and keep moisture locked in, the A’kin Age Defy Smoothing Day Cream has been designed to meet the skin’s hydration needs during the day, while the A’kin Age Defy Firming Night Cream is richer and more nourishing to actively work overnight. These formulas, combined with the A’kin Age Defy Lifting Eye Cream morning and night, allows for hydration and protection of the skin to improve the physical signs of ageing that come from dehydration.
Main image credit @gwenythpaltrow
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99 Member Comments
I try to do all I can to keep dehydration under control.
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I try to drink lots of water, I slack off on the weekend but the weekdays I definitely drink enough, I also make sure to moisturise morning and night.
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Having dry dehydrated skin pretty much all year round I slather on a thick layer of moisturiser sometimes adding a couple drops of facial oil in the colder months. I run out of moisturiser quite quickly. Moisturiser is a must have for me.
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The large pores, blackheads and dull skin will makes us look much older than our actual age, and if you are in aging, your skin will become dryer and dryer, the loss of water from your skin is a characteristics of your aging. In addition to improve your routine to improve water in your daily, it is also a good way to have some skin rejuevenation treatment, and there are many way offer you to choose, this article can tell you more: https://www.mychway.com/blogs/skin-rejuvenation.html
And I get rid of aging by I do practise on skin rejuvenation everyday, that is not a short-term project, should be the routine, if not, you will never overcome the aging.
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I need to have a better skin routine
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I just poured myself a big glass of water and slathered on some of my Sukin Super Greens Facial Recovery Serum after reading this article. That's what I love about beautyheaven. Always keeping me on track! haha
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I think we know that we need to keep our skin hydrated, especially during winter and times spent in air conditioning. Serums seem to work better than moisturisers so I now use a serum first, then apply moisturiser and have found my skin feeling much smoother and nourished. It doesn't matter too much which brand, they all seem to have some effect.
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There are days when my skin does look dehydrated. Moisturiser seems to help a lot though.
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I moisturise daily and try to drink plenty of water.
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Seem to always have dry skin makes no difference whether it's Winter or Summer I moisturise all the time will look at the Akin Skincare Products.
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Humectants and humidifiers are your friends when it comes to hydrating your skin.
You can increase hyaluronic acid production in your body by consuming 1/4 tsp N-Acetyl Glucosamine daily.
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I drink lots of water, moisturise well and use a sunscreen year round.
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Stress makes my skin look older, I just am anxious at the moment
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Have you tried playing soothing music at night?
I'm incredibly anxious and I find it helps.
I hope you find a way to alleviate your anxiety. ❤️
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Hi Lucy, thankyou. No my son is unwell and I am fretting, and just so nervous at the moment
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Sending you hugs!
I hope he gets the best treatment possible... ❤️
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I do hope so, it's very frightening
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Sending you, your hubby and your son warm vibes... ❤️
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Thankyou Lucy, I get such a nervous tummy. So many hospital and ambulances, very frightening, I do hope it settles down
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Moisturizer and a good night cream help
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I'm starting to notice a trend .of dry skin in winter, but on my hands especially! I'd love to know how I can stop them feeling so dry.
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My hands always get dry skin in the winter, but my legs are worse. I am constantly using body lotion and other creams on hands and legs.
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I have this sometimes. When I drink coffee and do not eat fruit all day. And if I used strong acids day before.
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The aircon in my office makes me drink lots of water during the day.
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