4 Dehydration Symptoms That Show Up on Your Skin

Water is essential to your system. After all, it makes up two-thirds of your weight. Drinking seems easy – but it’s also easy to overlook. The hot weather, an intense workout session, or even your afternoon coffee runs can amplify your thirst, allowing dehydration symptoms to sneak up on you. While it tends to manifest as headaches, lethargy, and bad breath, it also wreaks havoc on your skin.

Contrary to what you may assume, dehydrated skin differs from dry skin. The former is a condition caused by a lack of moisture, whereas the latter is a skin type characterized by insufficient sebum. Oily and sensitive skin can be major dehydration symptoms as the sebaceous glands go into overdrive to compensate for low water content.

Dehydrated skin can be a precursor to dry skin, which is why it can be tricky to differentiate the two in the first place. However, there's one easy test that can get you an answer. Pinch your face and hold for a few seconds. If your skin doesn't immediately snap back to its normal state, you're likely dealing with the effects of poor hydration.

Still not sure? See if these telltale dehydration symptoms show up on your skin.

When your skin is parched, it can take on a lackluster appearance. Dehydration exacerbates clogged dead skin cells on the surface, which accumulate and create a barrier. It casts an almost grayish tint on your skin. The buildup also hinders the skin's natural turnover process, which further dulls the complexion.

Flakiness and tightness are direct results of a disrupted skin balance. When the body loses too much water, it prioritizes vital organs like the brain and lungs, which means the skin gets the least amount of H2O. As a result, collagen production slows down, causing the skin to lose its firmness.

Moreover, dehydration also weakens the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, which works to keep moisture in and external aggressors out. Irritants can easily penetrate the dermis and trigger inflammation. That inflammation may signal the sebaceous glands to produce more oil – not-so-great news for acne-prone folks.

Remember how lack of hydration contributes to the breakdown of collagen? It leads to a cascade of effects that makes you look 10 years older than you should. You may see fine lines start appearing or becoming more noticeable, which BTW are not age-related wrinkles. These streaks show up when the skin can’t get and retain enough moisture to keep it plump and elastic. Although dehydration lines are reversible, they can be a catalyst for premature aging. 

One of the most overlooked dehydration symptoms is sunken eyes. The under-eye area is more delicate compared to the rest of the face. So, when the water levels in your body are low, the skin appears thinner and translucent, making the underlying blood vessels more noticeable. It can create the illusion of dark shadows and give you that tired, sleepless look.

Stating the obvious, the quickest solution to dehydration is drinking plain water — not tea, soda, or juice. If you’re a busy bee who often forgets to sip water, always stash a bottle everywhere you go. You’ll be more likely to drink it whenever you see it.

When it comes to getting back your healthy, glowing skin, you need to both hydrate and moisturize. Start with a gentle cleanser like Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Moisture Care that serves multiple functions. It has 40% Active-boost serum and hyaluronic acid to draw impurities while leaving the skin moisturized for up to 24 hours.

After cleansing your face, pat it dry and immediately layer it with POND'S Aloe Vera Jelly Moisturizer. It acts like a tall glass of ice water for your skin and has a unique gel texture that doesn’t feel greasy. Most importantly, the aloe vera extract and vitamin B3 inside help replenish and retain moisture.

Even if you’re experiencing the bare minimum of dehydration symptoms, take action immediately. Pay attention to the signals your body sends you. When the temperature spikes, drink up. Last but not least, don’t forget to moisturize and use sunscreen so your skin stays cool no matter what.