Dehydrated skin is characterised by a lack of water within its superficial layers, regardless of skin type. Contrary to a common misconception, dehydration is not the same as dryness. Dry skin lacks lipids, whereas dehydrated skin lacks water. Oily or combination skin can therefore also show signs of dehydration. This distinction is essential in clinical practice, as it determines the treatment plan and the choice of aesthetic care.
Skin dehydration manifests as a loss of suppleness, tightness, rough texture, increased sensitivity and diminished radiance. The skin texture appears irregular, dehydration fine lines become visible and the skin surface reflects light less effectively. In some cases, the skin may appear both shiny and uncomfortable, indicating a compromised skin barrier.
This is a transient but frequent condition, linked to lifestyle, environmental factors, inappropriate skincare and age. Over time, the skin barrier becomes more fragile, water reserves decrease and the capacity to retain moisture diminishes. This is why skin dehydration affects both young and mature skin.
Skin dehydration is based on two main mechanisms : an increased loss of water and a reduced ability of the skin to retain it.
The first mechanism involves the increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a natural phenomenon through which the epidermis allows a small amount of water to evaporate each day. When the hydrolipidic film is altered, this loss accelerates and exceeds the skin’s compensatory capacity. Multiple factors can weaken this protective film : overly aggressive cleansing, repeated exposure to harsh weather, cold, dry air, pollution, altitude or excessive use of irritating skincare products.
The second mechanism concerns the alteration of the natural moisturising factors present in the stratum corneum. The hygroscopic molecules naturally found in the stratum corneum, grouped under the term Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF), including amino acids and certain proteins, retain water and ensure good cellular cohesion. When their concentration decreases, the skin loses its ability to bind water and becomes rougher.
Skin ageing is an aggravating factor. With age, the synthesis of endogenous hyaluronic acid decreases, the skin barrier becomes thinner and microcirculation changes. These alterations contribute to chronic dehydration and the appearance of superficial fine lines, sometimes mistaken for structural wrinkles.
Lifestyle also plays a major role. Insufficient hydration, a diet low in essential fatty acids, stress, fatigue or smoking directly affect the quality of the skin barrier and the epidermis’ ability to retain water. In some cases, hormonal variations, especially during peri-menopause, intensify the phenomenon.
The diagnosis of dehydrated skin is based on a skin examination and patient interview. The skin appears dull, fragile and often uncomfortable. Fine lines, either horizontal or forming a network, appear mainly around the eyes, on the cheeks and along the nasolabial folds. A feeling of tightness, especially after washing the face, is a frequent sign.
To the touch, dehydrated skin lacks suppleness and sometimes shows fine flaking. Examination reveals an irregular texture, indicating impaired cohesion between corneocytes.
Doctor Romano also evaluates potential triggering factors : an unsuitable cosmetic routine, recent exposure to cold, hormonal changes, seasonal transitions or drying dermatological treatments.
In some cases, skin analysis using specific tools helps quantify water loss, measure the hydration of the stratum corneum or assess the integrity of the hydrolipidic film. These parameters help define a precise and personalised therapeutic strategy.
The management of dehydrated skin in aesthetic-oriented medicine is based on treatments that aim to restore deep hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and improve dermal quality. Les Skinboosters are the reference treatment. This involves an injection of lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid into the dermis, with the goal of providing deep and long-lasting hydration. Skinboosters enhance radiance, suppleness and overall skin quality, with a progressive and natural effect. In clinical practice, it is observed that patients who regularly receive injections of cross-linked hyaluronic acid show far fewer signs of skin dehydration. Even if these injections are primarily intended to restore volume or reinforce certain facial structures, they offer an additional advantage : hyaluronic acid, a naturally highly hygroscopic molecule, can attract and retain several hundred times its own weight in water, thereby helping to maintain long-lasting tissue hydration. Revitalizing mesotherapy, composed of a cocktail of vitamins, antioxidants and non–cross-linked hyaluronic acid, stimulates microcirculation and strengthens the water reserves of the superficial dermis. It is particularly indicated for patients with dehydration associated with a tired or uneven complexion. Gentle peelings, especially those based on glycolic or mandelic acid, promote cell renewal and improve the cohesion of the stratum corneum, which optimizes the skin’s ability to retain water. Radiofrequency may be recommended to improve overall skin quality, as it stimulates collagen synthesis and increases skin density, which indirectly enhances hydration.
A skincare routine adapted to dehydrated skin should primarily aim to restore the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss and optimize water retention in the stratum corneum. Cleansing should be gentle to preserve the hydrolipidic film and avoid increasing tightness. Daily application of a hydrating serum containing hygroscopic molecules such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or urea promotes water capture and retention within the epidermis. Formulations enriched with niacinamide can also strengthen the skin barrier by improving corneocyte cohesion. The moisturizer should be chosen according to the season and skin condition : lighter in warm periods, richer and more protective in cold periods, to limit water evaporation. Using a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week helps facilitate cell renewal and optimize the penetration of hydrating actives. Daily photoprotection is essential, as UV rays impair barrier function and worsen dehydration. A consistent, regular routine adapted to the physiology of the skin thus allows progressive restoration of skin comfort, suppleness and radiance.
The results of treatments for skin dehydration are well documented in the scientific literature, particularly for Skinboosters, revitalizing mesotherapy and certain superficial peels. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Skinboosters on deep hydration and skin quality. A multicentric study by Micheels et al. (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013) highlighted a significant increase in dermal hydration measured by corneometry, accompanied by improved skin elasticity and a notable reduction in dehydration fine lines after two to three sessions. These results were confirmed by Sparavigna et al. (Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2016), who report a lasting improvement in skin suppleness and radiance up to nine months after the initial protocol and emphasize the importance of regular maintenance sessions. Revitalizing mesotherapy also benefits from clinical data : a study by Hexsel et al. published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2011) shows measurable improvements in hydration, skin smoothness and radiance after a protocol of three to four sessions, with benefits optimized by maintenance sessions. Superficial AHA peels, particularly glycolic acid, have demonstrated their ability to improve stratum corneum cohesion and reduce transepidermal water loss ; the work of Van Scott and Yu (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1984) showed an improvement in water retention capacity and skin quality after repeated applications. Taken together, these data lead to a solid conclusion : the correction of skin dehydration relies on repeated sessions whose effects are cumulative, then consolidated by regular maintenance sessions, thus achieving lasting and objectively measurable improvement.
Prices vary depending on the techniques used and the number of sessions required. A medical peeling session is offered at 250 CHF, while a radiofrequency treatment starts at 250 CHF. Revitalizing mesotherapy is performed at a rate of 300 CHF per session, and Skinboosters are charged 400 CHF per syringe.
No. Dry skin lacks lipids, whereas dehydrated skin primarily lacks water. All skin types, even oily, can be dehydrated.
Yes. Excessive sebum production does not prevent a water deficit. This is a common situation for combination and sensitive skin.
Skinboosters, revitalizing mesotherapy and certain gentle peels are the most effective for restoring deep and lasting hydration.
Yes, but they are progressive. Hydration improves from the first weeks, then stabilizes with repeated sessions and regular maintenance.
It significantly improves skin comfort, but when dehydration is severe, medical treatments are often necessary to act more deeply than cosmetic care alone.
Skinboosters are renewed on average every six to nine months, mesotherapy every four to six weeks, and gentle peels according to the schedule recommended during the consultation.
Yes, but it can reappear if triggering factors persist. A well-chosen routine and regular medical treatments help maintain long-lasting skin hydration.
Often yes. Cold weakens the hydrolipidic film and increases water loss. Richer and more protective textures are recommended during this period.
It can be made up, but makeup adheres less well. Good prior hydration allows for a more even result.
Not always. The skin’s needs vary with the seasons ; a richer formulation in winter and a lighter one in summer is often necessary.
