PROVEN Team
PROVEN Team includes Stanford scientists and dermatologists who combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring you the best for your skin.
Dehydrated Skin: A Science Backed Approach
If your skin lacks its usual plumpness, is inflamed, and uneven in tone, it is time to consider some lifestyle factors that cause dehydration.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Dehydrated Skin
Water is an essential nutrient to the life of every cell and makes up nearly 65 percent of your skin. When H20 is severely lacking, the result is dehydrated skin, which can add years to your appearance, make fine lines more visible, and lead to a dull complexion. If your skin lacks its usual plumpness, is inflamed, and uneven in tone, it is time to consider some lifestyle factors that cause dehydration. While some variables -- like genetics and your climate -- can contribute to a dehydrated face, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to keep your skin hydrated, replenished, and healthy.
How to Identify Dehydrated Skin?
As its name implies, dehydrated skin is thirsty for water. One of the easiest ways to test yourskin turgor (or elasticity) is with a simple pinch test. Pinch a small area on the back of your handor cheek and hold it for three seconds. Hydrated skin will snap back into place instantly. If ittakes several seconds to bounce back, you likely need to increase your water consumption andconsider other lifestyle variables.
Signs of Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin is often overly sensitive to external stressors like sun, wind, and temperature changes. Your skin produces plenty of sebum, and in fact, may overproduce oils. It may seem counterintuitive that oily skin could be dehydrated, but it’s a common sign that the skin needs water. The following are some other telltale signs of dehydrated skin:
Dehydrated skin cannot function properly. This means that dead skin cells aren’t sloughed off regularly, resulting in a tired, flat complexion. Exfoliation is a suitable solution to this issue that can remove the dead skin cells and reveal new, healthy skin.
Cold winter temperatures, harsh wind, and strong sun makes your skin dry, red, and itchy. Be sure to take special care of your skin during weather extremes that can leave it feeling particularly dehydrated.
Discoloration under the eyes that isn't related to a lack of sleep.
Parched skin feels especially tight, especially after cleansing.
Skin that is dehydrated will look older, especially around the thin skin near the eyes, which will show tiny fine lines known as crow’s feet.
While dryness and oiliness are often considered total opposites, these issues are actually closely related. This is because excess oil production can be caused by lack of hydration and can lead to the development of pimples and acne.
How to Fix Dehydrated Skin
It’s important to note that dehydrated skin is a temporary condition caused by many factors, including caffeine and alcohol intake, dietary choices, environment, and your skincare routine. These variables can deplete the water content in the dermis, resulting in a sunken, sallow appearance.
Fortunately, dehydrated skin can be restored with a few lifestyle changes and key skincare ingredients.
Your body needs hydration inside and out! Not consuming enough water can dry out your skin. As a result, experts recommend consuming between four to six glasses of water each day. However, you should consume more water if you’re going to be exercising or sweating.
While caffeine may have a positive effect on your energy levels, it can have a negative effect on the skin. This is because caffeinated drinks like coffees and teas act as a diuretic, which increases dehydration in the body. That being said, caffeine can still be a beneficial ingredient within skincare products as it can energize and rejuvenate dull and tired skin.
Cleansing is an essential component of your skincare routine, but your current products could be doing more harm than good. This is because certain cleansing products are too harsh for our skin’s delicate balance. In fact, some can damage your skin barrier and leave you feeling dehydrated and irritated. As a result, we recommend that you go with a gentle cleanser that’s free of added fragrance and chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones, and fragrances.
This is the golden rule of skincare. While the sun can provide our bodies with some much-needed Vitamin D, it can quickly damage our skin. This is because the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin and damage its makeup which can leave you feeling dull and dry. In turn, long-term sun exposure can lead to signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. As a result, sun protection is paramount to achieving healthy skin. Experts recommend that you apply a product with at least SPF 30 every single day -- no matter how cold or cloudy it is outside. Furthermore, you should avoid the sun during peak hours or wear protective clothing to provide additional protection.
Believe it or not, your bathing practices could actually be contributing to your dry and dehydrated skin. This is because hot water can zap away all the skin’s moisture which can add to skin tightness. So instead of using burning hot water, opt for lukewarm. Also, limit the time of your water exposure to five to ten minutes at a time.
Like cleansing, moisturizing is another key component to your skincare routine. That being said, you need to use the right moisturizer for your skin. For example, people with oily skin would need a different moisturizer than people with dry skin. Look for heavier moisturizers to relieve your dehydrated skin with powerful humectants like hyaluronic acid. Also make sure to apply moisturizer immediately after bathing to damp skin for optimum hydration.
As your environment could be contributing to your dehydrated skin, you should take note of ambient humidity as central heat and air conditioning can remove water from the air and your skin. When in a dry environment, try using a humidifier to add some much-needed moisture to the air and your skin.
Customized skincare for dehydrated skin
With a few simple measures, radiant, supple skin is right around the corner -- and an integral part of this is using products made with replenishing and moisturizing ingredients. That being said, not all ingredients will work for everyone -- which is why we created PROVEN Skincare. PROVEN Skincare offers personalized formulas that are specially made for dehydrated skin by completing the PROVEN skin quiz. Our cutting-edge products are based on more than 47 factors about you, including things like your skin type, environment, lifestyle, heritage, and skin concerns.
So instead of using one-size-fits all skincare that doesn’t actually fit all, try a customized approach instead. When you take our skin quiz based on tons of valuable information about skincare products and ingredients, you will be matched with one of more than 2,000 different product combinations that will mesh well with your unique skin.
As a part of your PROVEN regimen, you will receive a cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream. Your cleanser will be gentle enough not to further dry out your skin and will be totally free of harsh chemicals that can negatively impact the skin barrier. Furthermore, your cleanser also contains exfoliating and toning properties within this one simple step! Gentle acids slough away dead skin cells and reveal the healthier and more nourished skin underneath. Gentle toning ingredients purify the skin and prepare it for other skincare products.
Your moisturizer will be formulated with powerful humectants that will provide your dehydrated skin with a much-needed boost of moisture. It also contains SPF 40 protection. Finally, your night cream will be formulated with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients that can do the heavy lifting and repair your dehydrated skin while you sleep.
Here is why personalized skincare is better
Personalized skincare comes with a host of benefits
  |   | |
|---|---|---|
| Formulated and made-to-order for you | No | |
| Targeting your unique hyperpigmentation needs | No | |
| Optimized for your lifestyle + environment | No | |
| Easy 3-step system for all your skin needs | No | |
| Made by Stanford scientists and AI tech | No |
OUR TEAM
We're industry leaders in skincare
Dr. Yuan is a Computational Physicist from Stanford University
Proven co-founder, Dr. Amy Yuan, fixed her skincare woes by using her computer science background to analyze the effectiveness of more than 20,238 skincare ingredients, 100,000 products, 20 million testimonials, and more than 4,000 scientific journal articles. Now she is applying that to create the perfect skincare for you.
Your Skin Routine In 3 Simple Steps
Your Personalized Cleanser
Ensures any dirt from the day is removed to reveal glowing, healthy and fresh feeling skin
Your Personalized Day Moisturizer
Helps prevent the skin from drying out, while targeting other issues you may have.
Your Personalized Night Cream
Restores elasticity and delivers intensive nourishment to repair, plump and firm skin while you get your beauty sleep.
