Why does the skin always feel dehydrated?

Source: OpenAI

Even if you follow a diligent daily skincare routine, does your skin still feel tight, dull, or uncomfortable? Persistent skin dehydration is one of the most common skin concerns. It often indicates that the rate at which the skin loses moisture has exceeded its ability to retain and lock in hydration.

This dry condition is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, it results from the combined effects of internal physiological changes and external environmental and behavioural factors.

Understanding the root causes of dehydration is the first step towards restoring skin balance, hydration, and long-term skin health.

The Two Main Causes of Skin Dehydration

The main causes of skin dehydration can be divided into internal and external factors.

1. Internal Factors (Physiological Changes Within the Skin)

i. Reduction of Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF) and Intercellular Lipids

• NMF: Small molecules found in the stratum corneum that act like sponges to attract and hold water. With ageing or barrier damage, NMF levels gradually decrease.

• Intercellular lipids: Located between skin cells, they prevent water evaporation. A lack of these lipids accelerates moisture loss.

  
  

ii. Insufficient Sebum Production

• The sebum film is the skin’s outermost natural protective layer, helping to lock in moisture and prevent excessive evaporation. Dry skin, ageing skin, or over-cleansing can reduce sebum production and weaken moisture retention.

  
  

iii. Insufficient Water Supply from the Dermis

• Most of the skin’s water is stored in the dermis. With age, levels of hyaluronic acid within the dermis decline, reducing its strong water-holding capacity and limiting the amount of moisture delivered to the epidermis.

  
  

iv. Slower Metabolism

• As skin cell renewal slows with age, dead skin cells accumulate and healthy new cells are reduced. This weakens the skin’s self-repair and moisturising abilities.

  
  

2. External Factors (Environment and Lifestyle Habits)

These are the aspects we can most easily control and improve.

i. Dry Environment

• Low-humidity environments (such as air-conditioned rooms, heated spaces, or dry climates) accelerate moisture evaporation from the skin.

  
  

ii. Incorrect Cleansing Methods

• Over-cleansing: Using harsh cleanser products or frequently use cleansing and exfoliation devices damages the sebum film and skin barrier.

• Excessively hot water: Hot showers or facial cleansing remove natural oils, leading to skin barrier damage.

  
  

iii. Improper Skincare Practices

• Hydrating without locking moisture: This is a very common misconception. Using toner or facial mist alone is not enough. Without follow-up products such as lotions or creams to lock in moisture, water evaporates quickly, taking the skin’s natural moisture with it and worsening dryness.

• Incorrect product selection: Long-term use of products containing alcohol or irritating ingredients can damage the skin barrier.

  
  

iv. UV Damage

• Ultraviolet radiation (UVA/UVB) is a leading cause of skin ageing. It damages collagen, elastic fibres, and the skin barrier, reducing the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

  
  

v. Lifestyle and Dietary Habits

• Poor diet, staying up late, lack of sleep, and high stress levels affect skin repair and healthy sebum production. This disrupts barrier function, reduces elasticity, and weakens the skin’s water-holding capacity.

  
  

How to Improve Skin Dehydration at the Root?

Restoring a healthy skin barrier is the fundamental solution to dehydration.

1. Gentle Cleansing - Use UCARA Hydrating Cleanser, enriched with avocado and botanical extracts, to gently cleanse without damaging the skin barrier, helping to maintain softness, comfort, and hydration.

2. Deep Hydration and Moisture Locking - First, apply EGF Peptide Serum, containing repair factors, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. Next, rein in it with Transdermal Fusion Serum, formulated with hyaluronic acid and collagen, to deeply hydrate, effectively lock in moisture, and revitalise the skin.

3. Repair and Nourishment - UCARA Super Defence contains phytoestrogens, glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to strengthen the skin barrier, replenish moisture and nutrients, and restore a natural and healthy glow on your skin.

4. Daily Sun Protection - Apply UCARA Sun Protector SPF40++ daily to effectively protect against UVA and UVB, preventing photo-ageing and moisture loss.

5. Weekly Intensive Hydration - Use UCARA Healing Hydrating Mask once or twice a week to enhance hydration and support barrier repair.

6. Professional Treatments - Regular professional facial treatments help promote skin renewal, circulation, and long-term hydration results.