Welcome back to another no-fluff breakdown on skin health.
Our goal? To give you the information you need to understand what’s happening with your skin — and how to fix it — so you can make confident, informed decisions toward your skin goals.
Before we get into how to treat dehydrated skin, let’s clear up one of the most common confusions in skincare: dehydrated skin vs. dry skin.
They’re not the same thing — and knowing the difference matters if you want real results.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a lack of oil (sebum). It’s usually a genetic skin type, meaning it’s permanent.
You’ll know your skin is dry if it:
- Feels rough, flaky, or scaly
- Cracks easily or feels tight (especially in cold weather)
- Has small, barely visible pores
- Looks dull and lacks its natural shine
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a lack of water — not oil.
This can affect any skin type and is a temporary condition.
You’ll notice:
- Tightness, even if your skin feels oily
- A dull, tired appearance
- Fine “surface lines” that fade once your skin rehydrates
- Sensitivity or itchiness
Both conditions can look similar, but the cause is completely different.
Now that we’ve separated the two, let’s look at what’s actually causing your skin to lose water.
External (Environmental) Factors
Ever walked outside on a scorching summer day or during a freezing dry winter and felt your skin tighten instantly? That’s dehydration.
When the air lacks moisture — hot or cold — it starts pulling water straight out of your skin.
Air-conditioning is another major culprit. Whether you’re in the office or at home, sitting in that dry environment for hours will strip your skin of hydration.
And while everyone loves a day at the beach, excessive sun exposure can damage the skin barrier. UV rays weaken your skin’s ability to hold moisture — so even if you’re slathering on sunscreen, your skin might still be drying out.
Lastly, those cheap supermarket skincare products you grabbed on sale? They might be making things worse. Harsh formulas, alcohol-based toners, and over-exfoliation strip away your natural barrier, leaving your skin exposed and thirsty for hydration.
Internal Factors
Let’s start with the basics: Are you actually drinking enough water?
If not, your skin’s going to show it.
Then there’s what you are drinking. Caffeine, alcohol, and salty or heavily processed foods all dehydrate your body and, by extension, your skin.
Certain prescription medications — like diuretics, acne treatments, or antihistamines — can also dry your skin out. If that’s the case, upping your water intake is essential.
And don’t forget hormones. Changes in testosterone, cortisol, or estrogen levels can throw your skin’s hydration balance off too.
Treatments That Actually Work
When your skin barrier takes a hit, it loses its ability to lock in moisture — a process called transepidermal water loss.
Sometimes, there’s also an underlying issue like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis that needs to be addressed.
At our clinic, we start with a thorough skin consultation before recommending any treatment.
We don’t guess. We look at the whole picture — your lifestyle, work environment, training routine, diet, and stress levels — to pinpoint what’s really causing the dehydration.
Once we know the “why,” we can target it at the source with the right modalities to rebuild your skin’s barrier and restore hydration.
Ready to get serious about your skin?
Book your consultation today.
Below are some treatments that we offer that can help hydrate your skin!
Skin Treatments:
Hydrafacial Syndeo
This is our most popular superficial non-invasive treatment that has multiple steps that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts impurities, and infuses hydrating serums (with optional boosters, LED, lymphatic drainage). Because Hydrafacial is gentle, many skin types tolerate the procedure.
For a great article to read all about the Hydrafacial Syndeo, click here!
Enerpeel Chemical Peels
Our controlled acid chemical peels (with various depths according to your skin type, and the current state of your condition: barrier-compromised skin etc.), stimulate remodelling and allow better absorption of actives. By exfoliating surface dead skin and improving the turnover and health of the skin, it can enable better penetration and effectiveness of hydrating and barrier-repairing products. It also increases natural hyaluronic acid production.
For more information on our Enerpeel Chemical Peels, click here!
Procell Microchanneling
The technique used in this treatment helps deliver active serums deeper into the skin via microchannels. The hydrating agents reach more deeply, improving hydration and skin function. Again, performing this procedure will depend on the compatibility with your skin and your skin’s current state of inflammation.
To read more about Procell Microchanneling, click here!
Cosmetic Treatments:
Rejuran
Some of our treatments work from within once injected. Rejuran consists of bio-active DNA molecules that stimulate regeneration and repair damaged skin while reducing unwanted inflammation. Rejuran not only addresses lack of hydration, but loss of elasticity, uneven and dull skin tone, fine lines, oil production, and more!
For a full informed spiel on Rejuarn, click here!
Bio-Remodelling
Bio-Remodelling is a Hyaluronic Acid injection treatment that penetrates below the surface barrier and reaches the deeper layers of the skin that superficial treatments can’t. These treatments may be best if your dehydrated skin is quite severe.
Click here to read more about the Bio-Remodelling treatment!
For Hyaluronic Acid injectable treatments that may suit your skin condition, it’s best for you to come in for consultation with one of our nurses.
Custom Skincare Serums:
Of course, treatments within the clinic are null and void if you don’t keep a consistent skin care routine in between treatments. Just like continuing to eat unhealthy will compromise and hinder your fitness goals. We will provide a specific selection of skincare that you can add into your home routine so that you achieve your skin goals as efficiently as possible and making your skin condition much more managable in the foreseeable future.
Depending how severe your dehydrated skin is, we may suggest multiple modalities within your skin program plan, and advise certain supplements that will enhance your results if you can’t get them naturally through your diet.
