It’s easy for skin to become dull and parched, due to environmental factors, lifestyle choices, or simply from chronological aging. Though no need to worry, as there are many clinical formulas created to hydrate and nourish body and facial skin.

Signs of dehydrated skin

There are many signs of dehydrated skin you can look out for, including tightness, increased sensitivity, flakiness and rough texture, and dullness.

1. Tightness and dryness

If your skin feels tight, especially after cleansing or showering, it’s a sign that your skin lacks moisture. Dehydration of the skin, caused by insufficient water moisture, can manifest as surface wrinkles or dryness, a condition known as trans epidermal water loss. These symptoms often signal underlying factors such as inadequate hydration from a poor diet, medication side effects, low water intake, or improper skin care practices.

2. Sensitivity

Dehydrated skin is often more prone to sensitivity and irritation. You may experience stinging or burning sensations when applying skincare products, or your skin may feel more reactive than usual to environmental triggers like the wind or colder weather.

3. Flakiness and rough texture

Lack of hydration can cause the skin’s surface to become rough and uneven. You may notice flakiness or rough patches, especially around areas prone to dryness such as the elbows, knees, and heels.

4. Dullness

Dehydrated skin often appears dull and lacking vibrancy. Instead of a healthy glow, you may notice that your complexion looks tired and lifeless. This is because dehydration can affect the skin’s ability to reflect light, resulting in a flat appearance.  Dull skin can be an indication of dry skin type, chronological aging, improper skin care, or a slower metabolism.

How do I treat dehydrated and dull skin?

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s likely that your skin is in need of some extra hydration. Fortunately, with the right skin care routine and lifestyle adjustments, you can replenish lost moisture and restore your skin’s health and vitality.

To verify dehydration, estheticians are trained to look for dullness, rough texture, or whitish film which can indicate dead skin build-up. During the start of a professional facial, estheticians will perform a Bioelements SkinReading to help identify, recognize and read every clue their client’s skin has to reveal, so the correct treatment and at-home product recommendations can be determined. If signs of dehydration are present, an esthetician will gently lift the surface of the skin, which may crinkle and show small horizontal lines. They will then glide their hands over the skin to check for a rough texture, and proceed with the correct treatment.

Similarly, to verify dull skin, estheticians will run their hands over skin to check for dead skin build-up and congestion. Your skin will most likely feel dry and rough textured. Often, the skin will have a rough or “sandy” texture.

There are multiple solutions that hydrate dry and dull skin. Some of our esthetician favorites include:

1. hydroplunge

This revitalizing hydration mask restores smooth, age-defying elasticity and suppleness. hydroplunge is enriched with fast-absorbing sugar beet extract and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate parched skin while maintaining the skin’s natural protective barrier. Apply generously over the face, neck, and under-eye area to experience instant hydration and visibly diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. “hydroplunge feels like a refreshing plunge of hydration and smells like fresh cut citrus,” licensed esthetician Teresa Stenzel said. “It’s great for all skin types, even sensitive ones. I love it!”

2. skin editor

For dull skin, Skin Editor will effectively exfoliate and smooth rough and uneven textures. Infused with a blend of dual-penetrating 3% glycolic acid, 7% lactic acid, and brightening fermented black tea extract (kombucha), skin editor diminishes dullness, fades dark spots, addresses skin congestion, and minimizes the appearance of lines -- all achieved without resorting to harsh skin-stripping or abrasive surface treatments!

3. moisture x10

This potent serum delivers rapid relief for dehydrated skin with its key ingredient, hyaluronic acid, that binds moisture to skin. This acid is a naturally occurring substance that retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an ultra-lubricating treatment. The perfect solution to visually improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles and to create smoother, softer skin.

4. time sensitive

This age-defying serum does it all, and provides a powerful antioxidant shield against environmental stress. Its key ingredient, bakuchiol, is a natural alternative to retinol, and comes from the seeds and leaves of the Babchi plant. With daily use, it refines texture, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and enhances firmness while boosting cell turnover to target pores and dullness. Suitable for all skin types, particularly sensitive ones, as it helps alleviate redness.

5. dewluxe

dewluxe is more than just a typical face oil -- it combines lightweight and balanced occlusive argan and squalane to seal in moisture to restore protective barrier lipids and unveil a natural dewy complexion. Enhanced with a burst of halophytic sea kale, it reduces fine lines and restores softness and moisture to the skin.

6. dewluxe for body

This lightweight body oil perfectly blends argan and squalane with aromatherapeutic essential oils to lock in moisture, replenish the skins’ protective barrier lipids, and delivers a natural dewy look.  Made for dry body areas such as the arms, legs, hands, and feet and ideal for anyone with dry, dull, flaky skin who wants a surge of luxe hydration.

7. vc10 daily glow + vc10 nightly bright

This product combination has antioxidant-rich formulas with a 10% vitamin C concentration triple-sourced from potent derivatives and natural acerola cherries. vc10 daily glow and vc10 nightly bright deliver 24 hours of skin brightening benefits that leave skin glowing. “vc10 daily glow and vc10 nightly bright are always my first go-to products to recommend when a client is concerned with the dullness or uneven tone of their skin,” licensed esthetician Amanda Kowalski said. “Together, these two antioxidants are elite!”