If your skin is looking a little dull, tight or lacklustre lately, dehydration could be the culprit. Unlike dry skin, which is a skin type, dehydration is a temporary skin condition that can affect anyone, regardless of whether your complexion is oily, combination or dry.

Modern life isn’t exactly skin-friendly. Long hours in front of screens, central heating, air travel, stress, pollution and even over-cleansing can all strip the skin of the moisture it needs to stay plump, supple and radiant. The result? Skin that feels tight, looks tired and struggles to achieve that elusive healthy glow.

But the good news is that hydrated skin isn’t just about drinking more water or slathering on moisturiser. According to dermatologists and skincare experts, true hydration comes from a combination of smart skincare, supportive nutrition, and simple lifestyle habits that help the skin barrier do its job properly. From the ingredients that genuinely lock in moisture to the daily habits that quietly sabotage your glow, we asked the experts to share their most effective tips for keeping skin hydrated, healthy and luminous.

Here’s how to get your glow back…

Understand The Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin

Many people assume their skin is dry when it’s actually dehydrated. Dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil.

Signs your skin may be dehydrated include:

• Tightness after cleansing
  
• Dullness or lack of radiance
  
• Fine lines appearing more noticeable
  
• Skin feeling oily but still tight
  
• Makeup sitting unevenly

Because dehydration is a condition rather than a fixed skin type, it can usually be improved with the right routine.

Support Your Skin Barrier

The skin barrier is your body’s frontline defence against moisture loss. When it’s compromised, often from over-exfoliation or harsh cleansers, hydration escapes more easily.

Experts recommend focusing on barrier-supporting ingredients such as:

• Ceramides

TRY: Neals Yard Oat & Ceramide Barrier Repair Cream 50ml, £38

• Niacinamide

TRY: The Ordinary, Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion, 100ml, £11.70

• Squalane

TRY: CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, 236ml, £14.50

These ingredients help reinforce the skin’s natural lipid layer, allowing it to hold onto hydration more effectively.

Look For Humectants

Humectants are hydration heroes. They work by drawing water into the skin and holding onto it.

Some of the most effective include:

• Hyaluronic Acid

TRY: BeautyPie Triple Hyaluronic Acid, £39

• Panthenol

TRY: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Ultra Repairing, Multi-purpose Soothing Balm With Panthenol And Madecassocide 40ml, £11

Applied to slightly damp skin, humectants can significantly improve skin plumpness and smoothness.

Don’t Over-Exfoliate

Exfoliation can help brighten the complexion, but too much can weaken the skin barrier and worsen dehydration.

Dermatologists often suggest:

• Limiting chemical exfoliation to once per week
  
• Avoiding multiple active ingredients in the same routine
  
• Supporting exfoliation with hydrating serums and moisturisers
  

Hydrate From Within

While skincare plays a role, internal hydration matters too.

Skin experts often recommend:

• Drinking water consistently throughout the day and adding electrolytes as a daily hydration ritual

TRY: Phizz

• Eating water-rich foods such as cucumber, berries and leafy greens
  
• Consuming healthy fats (omega-3s) found in foods like salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds and taking an omega-3 supplement

TRY: Bare Biology High Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil Daily Capsules, £32.50

Watch Out for Hidden Dehydrators

Certain everyday habits can quietly dehydrate the skin:

• Hot showers
  
• Alcohol
  
• Excess caffeine
  
• Air conditioning and heating
  
• Sleeping in heated rooms
  

Making small adjustments, like turning down the shower temperature or using a bedside humidifier, can make a noticeable difference.

TRY: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx Purifying humidifying fan, £699

Glowing, hydrated skin isn’t just about the latest miracle cream. It’s about supporting the skin barrier, choosing ingredients that genuinely hydrate, and adopting daily habits that prevent moisture loss. With the right routine and a little patience, skin can quickly regain its bounce, brightness and that unmistakable healthy glow.