Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

Struggling with dry skin? We get it. 

But did you know that if your dry skin isn’t going away, it could actually be dehydrated? 

Dry skin and dehydrated skin aren’t the same and are caused by different things, meaning it’s important to understand what kind of skin you’re dealing with so you can care for it properly.

Read on to find out the differences between dry and dehydrated skin!

 

Dry Skin

 

An age-old skin issue, dry skin can be characterised by flakiness, rough patches, a dull appearance, and can sometimes feel tight and irritated. 

 

This skin type occurs when the skin doesn’t produce enough oils to stay moisturised and protected, leading to all of the above which untreated, can lead to painful cracks and even worse issues.

 

We’ve all had those winter days when you’re battling against the icy wind, trudging through the snow, all to get to work and begin feeling those tiny pinpricks of pain on your skin; which leads us nicely onto our next cause of dry skin. 

 

Environmental factors like cold weather and dry air can cause the skin to dry up, removing all of its moisture and protection. Plus, with health conditions like eczema, diabetes, or hormonal changes, dry skin can be an unfortunate tagalong.

 

Whilst dry skin is a painful ordeal, there are ways to treat it, and our What Is My Skin Type? Blog helps figure out how!

 

Dehydrated Skin

 

Whereas dry skin is a skin type, dehydrated skin is a skin condition, which occurs when the top layer of the skin doesn’t get enough water. 

 

This can be caused by a few different things, from not drinking enough water or sweating too much to air conditioning, overuse of harsh skincare products, and even showers that are too hot.

 

As opposed to dry skin, dehydrated skin can be characterised by a dull appearance, fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and makeup not lasting throughout the day.

In simpler terms:

 

Dry Skin = Lack of oil

Dehydrated Skin = Lack of water

 

And how do you find out if you have dry or dehydrated skin we hear you ask…

 

Gently squeeze a section of skin on the back of your hand or cheek

If the skin bounces back within three seconds, your skin is likely hydrated but dry

If it doesn’t bounce back, you’re likely dealing with dehydrated skin

Pretty straightforward, right? Now, if you’re reading this thinking “Great, I have dehydrated skin, my life is over”, let’s slow it down a bit. 

 

Dehydrated skin can also be cared for in some pretty easy ways…

 

Caring For Dehydrated Skin

 

Of course, there’s the obvious way to treat dehydrated skin; drinking more water, but there are a few more tips and tricks that we’d suggest, too.

 

When it comes to skincare for dehydrated skin you want to look for water-based products that contain humectants like Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid.

 

Humectants are ingredients which attract and maintain moisture in the skin, helping it to achieve a plump, moisturised complexion.