Certain skin types are better able to resist dehydration, however, everyone experiences it to some degree. The skin acts as a barrier against the elements and to provide optimal protection, your epidermis needs to be as resilient as possible. If it contains less than 10% water, as compared to the optimal 20% to 30%, skin becomes dull and lackluster. It may feel rough to the touch and streaked with dehydration lines.

Even people without skin disorders can face serious skin dehydration from both external and internal factors:

External factors include:

• Climate—wind, cold, excessive sun, prolonged exposure to dry air (daily sustained air-conditioning, or heat)
• Chemical—abrasive skin cleansers, topical medical treatments, harsh cosmetics, “hard” water
• Mechanical—shaving and hair removal

Internal factors include:

• Physiological—skin aging
• Pathological—diseases that affect the skin’s function