Tight, dull skin in a humid city.

Dehydration is about water, not oil, which is why oily skin gets it too. We rehydrate in layers and then seal it, and we tell you what your aircon is doing.

Eight hours under an air-conditioning vent pulls water out of the upper layers all day. Oil production does not compensate — often it increases, which is why the skin reads as oily and dehydrated at once.

Layered water-based hydration works better than one heavy cream: essence pressed in, then something to hold it there.

The change is visible the same day. Monthly is usually enough to keep it, with the home layering doing most of the work between visits.

Two layers of essence on damp skin, then a moisturiser. Cut back on foaming cleansers.

We treat the water, not just the surface — a richer cream over dehydrated skin only traps the problem.