Does water dry out the skin?

For dry skin, we often recommend a special “water-free” cleansing routine. What does this entail exactly? What do the experts recommend to gently cleanse this type of skin? 
 
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  • does-water-dry-out-the-skin-ictyane
This may seem strange, but water doesn’t actually hydrate the skin. If it did, simply splashing some water on your face would be enough to achieve supple skin, and there would be no need to use hydrating creams. All dermatologists agree that the reality is quite the contrary: the water we use to wash dries out the epidermis. How? By eliminating the hydrolipidic film, the thin layer of sebum which protects the skin against external aggressions. 
 

How does water damage the skin?

Dry skin and hot water

First and foremost, the hotter the water, the more harmful it is to the skin. For this reason, it is recommended to wash your face with warm water if you have dry skin, or even without water at all, thanks to a hydrating micellar water. 

Dry skin and limestone

The limestone found in water is especially harmful to the hydrolipidic film and can cause or aggravate skin dryness. Nearly invisible, limestone is deposited onto the skin in the form of small crystals, which ultimately absorb the epidermis’s natural moisture and cause that “rough skin” feel. In fact, hard water contains ions that attract and trap water found in the body. Water hardness can be measured using the symbol “dGH” (degrees of general hardness). You can contact your municipality to check water hardness levels in your area, or you can use soap as a general indicator: soap foams less when water is very hard.
So, if your skin feels itchy and tight after a shower, limestone might be the cause. 

Dry skin and chlorinated swimming pool water 

People who regularly swim in pools tend to have drier skin. This is due to the harmful effects of chlorine on the skin. This chemical agent, used as a disinfectant, dries out the skin and can lead to burning sensations and tightness. Certain precautions are necessary if you are an avid swimmer and suffer from dry skin. For example, it is a must to shower afterwards to rinse off the chlorine. 
 

How can you soothe skin that is dry and sensitive to water?

Of course, you can invest in a water softener which mechanically removes limestone crystals. It can be installed on any water inlet, including on faucets, showers or baths.

Most importantly—whether at home, at the gym for your post-workout shower, or after swimming laps at the pool—only use soap-free products that don’t dry out the skin and that respect the skin’s pH. Finish by applying a hydrating skin care product to the face and body after your shower. Then, apply a rehydrating balm or lotion to your legs, arms and chest to reduce transepidermal water loss and to repair the skin barrier. Counteract the effects of water by applying a hydrating day cream to your face. Day after day, this skin care routine will provide your skin with instant comfort, soothe feelings of tightness, and protect and reinforce the hydrolipidic film. 


 

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