Your skin soaks it all up — and still feels parched.
Dehydrated skin isn’t a skin type, but a condition — even oily skin can be dehydrated. The question is where the moisture is lacking and how to actually get it there.
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Perhaps you've been there:
Your skin feels tight after cleansing — that „clean", tight feeling.
You keep applying cream, but shortly afterwards your skin feels tight again.
Your skin is shiny and flaky at the same time — oily in some places, dry in others.
Fine lines suddenly become more visible, even though nothing else has changed.
Make-up settles into tiny fine lines caused by dryness.
Your skin is more sensitive than it used to be — even to products that used to be fine for years.
Why skin becomes dehydrated — and why this has nothing to do with „dry skin"
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often confused, but they are two different things. Dry skin produces too little oil — that is a skin type. Dehydrated skin lacks sufficient water in the tissue — that is a condition that can affect any skin type, including oily skin. The skin’s water reservoir is the hyaluronic acid in the dermis; over the years, it diminishes.
Whether the water stays in is determined by the outermost layer of the epidermis — the skin barrier. It functions like a wall: the skin cells are the bricks, held together by a mortar of lipids, primarily ceramides. Around half of the stratum corneum consists of ceramides. If this mortar is intact, water remains in the skin. If ceramides are lacking, the barrier becomes permeable, water evaporates outwards — and the skin becomes dehydrated, no matter how much cream is applied on top.
What weakens the barrier
- Over-cleaning & acids — Aggressive cleansing and daily exfoliating acids break down the lipid barrier (more on this in a moment).
- UV radiation — UVB damages the epidermal barrier, whilst UVA breaks down collagen and hyaluronic acid deeper down — the skin’s own moisture reservoir.
- Age & Hormones — the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and ceramides decreases.
- Air conditioning & heating — Dry, cold or air-conditioned air further dehydrates the skin.
What dehydrated skin really needs
Most people opt for a richer cream. But creams work on the epidermis, the outermost layer — they barely reach the water reserves in the dermis. They can support the skin’s barrier from the outside, but cannot replenish the moisture lost deep within.
Many people unwittingly make the problem worse. Those who think they have oily skin often reach for harsh, foaming cleansers or daily BHA treatments. However, these don’t just remove oil; they also strip away the skin’s protective lipid barrier. The skin loses more moisture, feels „clean" and tight afterwards — and, in response, produces even more sebum to compensate for the loss. The result: skin that is both oily and dehydrated. You cleanse more aggressively because it looks oily, and this fuels the cycle further. A vicious circle.
Does that mean exfoliation is off limits? No, quite the opposite. Controlled, professional exfoliation is good for dehydrated skin: it removes dead skin cells so that moisture can actually penetrate. The difference lies in frequency and method. A BioRePeel®, for example, exfoliates via a lipophilic phase that preserves the hydrolipid film rather than washing it away — and biostimulates the skin without drying it out. This is completely different from daily aggressive acid treatments at home.
But first things first: rebuild the barrier and let the skin do its job naturally. Less aggression, but instead delivering targeted moisture and building blocks to where the skin stores them — in the dermis. Once the barrier is intact again and the water balance is restored, sebum production regulates itself. That is precisely where our treatments come in.
How to treat dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin doesn’t need harsh treatments, but rather moisture and nutrients delivered directly to where they’re needed — and a chance for the skin barrier to recover. Listed by their role:
Core treatments
HydraFacial™
Gently cleanses and infuses hyaluronic acid and antioxidants directly into the skin. Instantly visibly plumper skin, zero downtime — the ideal first step to combating dehydration.
Find out more →Fillmed NCTF®
59 active ingredients plus hyaluronic acid delivered directly into the tissue. Replenishes moisture right where it’s needed and revitalises the skin at a cellular level.
Find out more →PolyPhil™
Polynucleotides bind water to the connective tissue matrix over the long term and improve skin density. They not only plump the skin but also stabilise it.
Find out more →Dermadrop TDA®
Delivers hyaluronic acid and peptides deep into the skin without needles. Ideal if you don’t want needles or if your skin is particularly sensitive.
Find out more →In addition, depending on your skin type
- BioRePeel® — gentle exfoliation that preserves the hydrolipid film and stimulates cell renewal without drying out the skin.
Dermalux™ LED is included in every facial treatment — near-infrared and red light soothe the skin and help the skin barrier to regenerate.
The free AURA 3D skin analysis will show you exactly what combination your skin needs. We’ll identify where your skin is lacking moisture and assess the condition of your skin barrier — and use this information to create a personalised plan for you.
Free AURA 3D skin analysis →Back to balance in three steps
AURA 3D Skin Analysis + Plan
We assess where moisture is lacking, how your skin barrier is faring, and whether the issue is related to the barrier or lies deeper down. This forms the basis of your personalised plan. CHF 0, with no pressure to buy.
Replenish & soothe
We deliver moisture and nutrients deep into the skin and allow the skin’s barrier to rest — rather than putting further strain on it.
Routine & Maintenance
We’ll take a look at your home hair care routine (less is often more) and maintain the results with gentle touch-ups.
Specialising in skin quality, not the next product.
Specialisation
Pre-ageing is our focus, not just an item on the treatment list. Our team is V-NISSG-certified.
Cause rather than symptom
We don’t just replenish moisture; we rebuild the skin’s barrier and let the skin do its own work. Otherwise, the dehydration will return.
Honest advice
Sometimes the best advice is to do less at home. That’s what we’re telling you — even if it means you’ll visit us less often.
You might be wondering
What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin produces too little oil — this is a permanent skin type. Dehydrated skin lacks water in the tissue — this is a temporary condition that can affect any skin type, including oily skin. That is why skin can feel both oily and tight at the same time. The distinction is important because they require different treatments: dry skin needs lipids, whilst dehydrated skin needs deep hydration and an intact barrier.
Why does my cleanser make my skin worse, even though it’s oily?
Because many cleansers are too harsh. Foaming cleansers and daily BHA acids not only remove oil, but also the lipids that hold your skin barrier together. Studies show that harsh surfactants damage skin proteins and lipids, leading to tightness, dryness and a compromised barrier. The result: the skin loses more water — and often produces even more sebum in response to compensate for the loss. It looks oilier, you cleanse more harshly, and the cycle continues. The solution is not more cleansing, but a gentler, pH-friendly routine and rebuilding the barrier.
Why does the sun dry out my skin — even without a sunburn?
This is because UV radiation dehydrates the skin in two ways. UVB affects the surface, damaging the epidermal barrier and increasing water loss — which is what you feel as dryness. UVA penetrates deeper and breaks down collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are the dermis’s own water reservoirs. UVA doesn’t cause a sunburn, so you don’t notice it straight away — but the damage is still happening. A study shows that the sun’s UV rays measurably impair the skin’s barrier function, increase water loss and reduce hydration. Daily sun protection is therefore part of any hydration strategy.
Source: Solar UV radiation reduces the barrier function of human skin. PNAS. 2012;109(42):17111–17116.
Isn't a rich cream enough?
A good cream helps — especially one containing ceramides. Around half of the stratum corneum is made up of ceramides, and studies show that skincare products containing ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and reduce water loss. But a cream works on the surface. It does not replenish the water reserves in the dermis — the hyaluronic acid deep within. So a rich cream alone does not solve the problem: you need both an intact barrier from the outside and moisture from the inside.
Source: Kono M et al., Ceramide-containing formulations. The Journal of Dermatology. 2021;48:1807–1816.
Can I use a scrub if my skin is dehydrated?
Yes — in fact, it’s a good idea. Professional exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing moisture to penetrate the skin. The key factors are frequency and method. A professional BioRePeel® protects the hydrolipid film during its lipophilic phase and biostimulates the skin rather than drying it out — quite unlike daily harsh acid treatments at home. The rule of thumb: less frequently, more targeted and under professional supervision rather than daily and aggressively.
How long do the results last?
Deep hydration treatments like HydraFacial work straight away, but the effects don’t last forever — hydration isn’t a one-off treatment. The results are more long-lasting if we strengthen the skin barrier and replenish moisture reserves with NCTF or PolyPhil over several sessions. Your at-home routine also plays a part. How often you visit depends on your skin — we’ll determine that after the analysis.
How much does treatment for dehydrated skin cost?
This depends on the treatment and the number of sessions — you can find an overview on our Prices page →. Not ready for an on-site analysis just yet? Our Skin Quiz → gives you a quick overview in five minutes — no appointment or email required.
Your skin can retain moisture again — let’s start with the barrier.
Dehydrated skin is not a skin type, nor is it a permanent condition. Once the skin barrier is restored and moisture reaches where it’s needed, the skin becomes plumper, calmer and more resilient. The AURA 3D skin analysis reveals where your skin is lacking moisture and how your skin barrier is faring. Free of charge, with no pressure to buy.
Free AURA 3D skin analysis →CHF 0 · 60 mins · Konradstrasse 1, 8005 Zurich Central Station
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What our customers say
„Aleksandra was very professional, warm and friendly. She gave me excellent advice on what I needed, even though I’d booked a completely different treatment. All the risks and considerations were clearly explained, and I never felt like I was being pressured into anything. A great consultation… I’ve found my new go-to place for treatments.'
„A huge thank you to Alex for her advice. Her expertise and her calm, professional manner won me over straight away. She takes her time, tailors her advice to individual needs and gives fantastic tips for a home skincare routine. It’s exactly the kind of consultation you’d hope for – knowledgeable, warm and genuine."
„I really appreciate that there’s no pressure to buy extra services or products – just genuine, high-quality care. After nearly a year of visiting Alestetics, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. Alex has been professional, kind and attentive throughout my visits. I highly recommend them!"
„I love coming here; it always feels like I’m going to a spa. They don’t try to sell me anything and are very open about what the treatments can (and cannot) do for me. They take health and wellbeing very seriously and always make sure I know how to look after myself outside the clinic as well."
„Alex is amazing! She listens to what the customer needs and explains the process. She is very knowledgeable and also makes recommendations. For me, her fluency in English is extremely helpful when we communicate."
„I had a Vivace treatment combined with PRX-T33. The appointment went smoothly; the staff were very professional and efficient. The clinic is close to HB and centrally located. Alexandra was very nice and friendly. I’ll definitely be coming back!"
„I had RF microneedling and EXILIS treatments on my stomach at Alestetics and am extremely pleased with the results. In fact, the results are much more noticeable than I had expected. Katia is highly professional, very attentive and incredibly warm. I highly recommend her!"
„I spent a long time looking for the right salon for me and I’m absolutely delighted that I chose alestetics®. The salon is beautiful, and everything is spotlessly clean and hygienic. Thanks to the team’s caring, friendly and professional manner, I felt very comfortable and safe throughout the entire treatment."
„I’ve been to Alestetics several times now. Before the treatment, they carried out an Aura skin analysis, during which they explained my skin condition to me in great detail — it was incredibly professional and transparent. Katia, Antonia and Alex are incredibly caring, knowledgeable and professional. You never feel like 'just another customer'."
„Today I had my first laser treatment (4 areas) with Katia and I felt completely at ease. She was particularly sensitive to my needs, as I can be a bit sensitive to pain at times. Her friendly manner made the treatment a really pleasant experience!"
„Katia is simply brilliant at her job! I’ve now had my third laser treatment. As I’m quite sensitive to pain, I really appreciate the fact that Katia always distracts me with a friendly chat. I feel very well looked after."
„I had a wonderful experience at the aesthetics clinic with Katia. She took the time to listen to my concerns, explained everything clearly, and made sure I felt confident throughout. I would highly recommend Katia for high-quality and truly personalised treatment."
„Review of the BTL Exilis treatment. I’m an active man and work out regularly, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get rid of that stubborn belly fat. I noticed a difference after just the first treatment. After several sessions, the difference was clearly visible."
„All the treatments here are sensational. This wellness haven truly lives up to its reputation. It’s centrally located — right next to Zurich main station — and the atmosphere at the spa is serene and calm. Every visit to Alestetics is my monthly treat and feels like a mini-break."
„I’ve had several Endospheres treatments at alestetics. Alex and Katia are very professional, but also very friendly and caring. They’ve always taken my needs and wishes into account (avoiding the tummy after pregnancy). I can’t recommend them highly enough!"
„I had five EXILIS treatments with Katia at alestetics®. The service was excellent – Katia is very professional and warm, and explains everything in detail. You feel at ease with her straight away. I’d definitely recommend her!"
„I feel understood, and they're absolutely lovely and professional!!"
„I had an excellent experience with the Icoone treatment. Antonia was simply fantastic – very professional, warm and incredibly friendly. She took plenty of time and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the entire treatment."
„I visit Alestetics regularly for Hydrafacial and microneedling treatments. The team are really friendly and flexible. The location is perfect, and the studio is clean and comfortable. After three treatments, my skin feels much clearer and my pores are slightly smaller."
„I feel completely at ease with Alex and her team! From the welcome to the treatments, the hygiene and the atmosphere: everything is simply always perfect. I originally came across Alestetics because of their laser treatments, but now I also go there for my facials."
„The treatments at Alestetics have worked wonders on my sensitive skin. With Katia, you’re in absolutely professional hands!"
„I'm absolutely delighted to have found this clinic in Zurich where, after just four sessions, I've seen amazing results! The girl who looks after me, Katia, is so lovely; she put me at ease right from the start and is incredibly professional!"
„My favourite salon in Zh! Top-notch service, lovely welcome tea, friendly staff, helpful consultations, and I left feeling happy and glowing, looking gorgeous after my treatments. Thanks Katia, Alexandra, and the Alestetics team – one love!"
„At first, I was really impressed by the Endospheres therapy. But the Icoone treatment has surpassed everything: it massages the skin gently and painlessly from head to toe. I started the treatments less for firmer skin and more for my health. The team are like best friends to me."
„Very friendly and professional staff, who take the time to carry out a skin analysis and offer valuable advice! I highly recommend it. It was a pleasure to have the AURA 3D skin analysis and to discuss my daily skincare routine."
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