Cause & Prevention
Dehydrated skin is a problem that we all face at some point in our lives. Some of us were born with naturally dry skin, many have their hydration stolen by the harsh winds of winter, while others lose their moisture to the recovery process of professional treatments and chemical peels. But in all cases, there is a solution. Medik8’s Recovery solution is specifically designed to care for and replenish an exceptionally impaired skin barrier to restore the ideal levels of hydration to dry, compromised and dehydrated skin types.
DRY VS DEHYDRATED
Many people believe dry and dehydrated skin are one and the same, but here’s the difference: dehydrated skin is lacking in water, which is vital for making the complexion look plump and healthy; while dry skin is lacking in natural skin lipids (oils).
DRY SKIN
Dry skin is a skin type that you are born with. This means your skin naturally produces less oil. Although you cannot change your skin type, you can use a nourishing skincare regime to top up your oil levels.
DEHYDRATED SKIN
Dehydrated skin is a signal of an impaired skin barrier: the skin’s upper layer has a natural protective barrier formed from lipids and skin cells. Skin cells are packed like bricks with lipids acting as their mortar. This structure helps to stop irritants and aggressors getting into the skin and also prevents water from escaping. When the skin’s barrier is impaired, it allows water to escape, leaving the complexion dehydrated.
Dehydrated skin can be experienced by everyone, even oily skin types. It can be caused by the sun, hard water, air-conditioning and even ageing (as we grow older our skin finds it harder to hold onto water). Dehydrated skin will look dull and feel tight, while dry skin will appear flaky and rough.
Sometimes dehydration can be exacerbated by using harsh skincare products that strip the skin of its natural oils, impairing the skin’s protective barrier. Professional treatments such as chemical peels can also compromise the skin’s barrier, causing it to lose water and become dehydrated.
THE MEDIK8 DIFFERENCE
We tackle both dry and dehydration symptoms head on. We employ a framework called ‘H.E.O.’ in all of our hydrators and moisturisers. H.E.O. stands for hydrators, emollients and occlusives. Hydrators include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin that have a natural affinity for water molecules; drawing H2O to themselves to rehydrate the skin. Emollients are lipids similar to those which make up the skin’s natural protective barrier. These help to reinforce the barrier to stop water escaping and keep the skin in healthy condition. Finally, occlusives are large molecules which cannot penetrate the skin. They sit on top the complexion, forming a physical barrier between the skin and the environment. This stops the atmosphere from stealing water from the skin.
