Turns out, it wasn't just me who needed a drink.

I thought I just had to live with this really irritating problem. Turns out, I don’t.

I’ve been cursed with dry skin for close to 15 years.

It’s easily irritated and itchy, and I always believed that I had inherited my flaky skin from my mother, and her mother before that.

It was an easy excuse, and one that meant I didn’t have to change any of my habits in order to improve it. I believed this so wholly, so fully, until I made one small adjustment that changed everything: I kept a bottle of water on my desk.

After a week of absent-mindedly sipping my drink bottle, my skin began to drastically improve.

  Just as an FYI, you should know that this is an advertorial for Avène.

And after some research, I realised that I had been wrong for the past 15 years. My skin wasn’t dry – it was dehydrated. Itchy, flaky, and dehydrated.

This discovery led me to question whether there were any other nasty habits or lifestyle factors that may have been affecting my skin’s health. And I came up with a few solutions.

So if you’re in the same boat as me, here are six sneaky causes of dehydrated skin that might be letting you down.

1. Your food.

According to Everyday Health, not having enough fatty acids from foods like fish, tofu or walnuts can result in your skin being less plump and soft, leading to it becoming dehydrated and dry. Who knew?

2. Your home/work.

eMedicine Health reported that dry conditions indoors can lead to dehydrated skin. This could be caused by an overactive air-conditioner or heater, leaving you particularly vulnerable to dehydrated skin in winter and summer. It might be time to open a window instead…

3. Your exercise.

An extra-intense workout can leave you sweating more than usual. Livestrong says that this sort of exercise can strip your skin of its natural lubricants, which can be made worse if you’re exercising in a dry environment.

Related: The 20 most popular songs to get sweaty to.

4. The wrong skin products.

Finding a product that suits your skin can take a few tries. If you use one that doesn’t suit your skin type, it can leach your face of its natural moisture barrier according to WebMD.

For me, the wonder product has been Avène’s Hydrance Serum (RRP $59.99).  It is highly concentrated with Avene Thermal Spring Water, which provides long-lasting hydration to soothe dehydrated and sensitive skin.

It also boosts the effectiveness of any moisturiser or treatment product applied over it, is oil free and helps to restore water. It is designed specifically for dehydrated skin and is suited to people with dry, oily or sensitive skin. Perfect.

Avène is a French dermo-cosmetic brand offering skincare products with dermatological benefits and cosmetic appeal.

ABC News reported that there might be a connection between a high-stress lifestyle and dry skin conditions. This could not only result in dehydrated skin, but oily skin and acne as well. Time to start meditating…

5. Hot showers.

How Stuff Works says that the outer layer of skin, or epidermis, as well as a thin layer of oil, work together to retain moisture. Unfortunately, the heat in a relaxing hot shower melts the oil on the skin and leaves it without much moisture.

This essentially means that taking a hot shower can lead to dehydrated, flaky and irritated skin. Sadly.

6. Cold weather.

If you live in an area with low humidity, your skin may be more dehydrated as a result. Elizabeth McBurney, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University told Health.com: “Skin gets dry because the wind and cold weather irritate it, and the lack of humidity in the air causes it to lose moisture rapidly.” This can easily lead to dehydrated and flaky skin.

Some of these factors may be really difficult to avoid.

But, if you reduce your exposure to each of these just slightly AND use a good product such as Avène’s Hydrance Serum, your skin will feel much happier and healthier. I promise.

What are your best tips for combatting problem skin?

Here’s the glowing skin of some of our favourite celebs… 

The Avène Hydrance Optimal Serum is now available nationwide and is on offer as a trial pack at select stores, while stocks last.

Avène, a dermo-cosmetic brand dedicated to sensitive skin. Rooted in dermatology and backed by more than 150 clinical studies, offering customers products for all skin types. Avène products can be purchased at your local pharmacy such as Priceline, Amcal, Terry White and Chemist Warehouse throughout Australia.

You can find us at:

www.avene.com.au

facebook.com/aveneaustralia

Instagram: @avene_au

Avene are gold sponsors of Eczema association.