Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin: How to Tell the Difference

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin: How to Tell the Difference

These two terms are often confused like "dinner" and "tea," but dry and dehydrated skin are not the same thing. Yes, you've probably spent the past few mornings staring in the mirror, marveling at how your once plump, radiant, and blissful skin has suddenly become rough, dull, and dry, but have you ever considered that what you're seeing might yes…… . Is your skin severely dehydrated? Or maybe the dehydrated skin you describe is actually suffering from deep dryness?

Granted, it sounds like we're nitpicking, but understanding how these two skin concerns differ (and how to best treat them) may be your only obstacle to not just having a good skin day, but a Good Day About Skin Life – Yes, there’s a lot at stake here. That's why we did our homework and asked some of the most renowned skin care experts for advice.

What is dry skin?

Unlike dehydrated skin (which we'll get to in a moment), dry skin lacks oil. This is not a temporary condition but a skin type that is often permanent. The real clue is the texture of the skin. "Dry skin occurs deep between the layers of the skin, but causes dry, flaky skin cells to appear on the surface, making the skin appear rough, cracked, and a little leathery," explains Time Bomb skincare expert Michaella Bolder road. "It lacks softness and elasticity, which leads to wrinkles."

How do I treat dry skin?

You can't necessarily "fix" dry skin, but you can improve its appearance. First, you need to replenish the oils that dry skin cannot produce on its own. So supplement your skin care routine with a rich, nourishing facial oil.

"Avoid using foaming cleansers to avoid damaging your skin," Bold warns. "Instead, use an oil-based cleanser that moisturizes as you cleanse." Skin-care ingredients like natural plant oils and coconut oil are particularly good at removing rough, flaky skin texture and replacing it with pillow-soft skin.

Dietary supplements can also help. “Supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as krill oil, will help care for dry skin,” suggests Noella Gabriel, co-founder and inventor of Elemis Therapies.

What is dehydrated skin?

The other side of the coin is dehydrated skin. “The word ‘dehydration’ refers to a specific skin condition—one that anyone can experience at any time,” explains Gabrielle. In fact, even oily and combination skin can become dehydrated.

What dehydrated skin lacks is not fat, but water, and water is vital to its plump, healthy appearance. 1 "Dehydrated skin appears flat on the surface due to cell tightening and displays a network of tiny, triangular lines," Bolder advises. Expect your face to tense up and your complexion to look like someone turned off the lights.

Why is my skin dehydrated?

If you're just noticing the first signs of dehydration, it could be due to seasonal changes. Dermatologist and physician Phillipa Lowe says, "Dry skin can be caused by anything that damages the skin barrier, such as: B. Temperature fluctuations, harsh weather, stress, sun damage, and lack of sleep."

You should also be careful with your skin care routine, as anything too strong can make the problem worse. "Products that are too harsh can gradually damage the skin's barrier, meaning it can't adequately retain moisture levels," adds Lowe.

How to Treat Dehydrated Skin?

First, it might be wise to avoid facial peeling. "Avoid using scrubs that are too abrasive and contain harsh abrasive particles, as these will only make the problem worse," explains Gabrielle.

Instead, look for serums and water-based facial mists containing hyaluronic acid and collagen to replenish moisture reserves and give skin a new tone. We also like Simple's Water Boost Hydrating Booster ($5), which contains plant-based pentavidin, which has similar moisturizing properties to HA, and Avène's Hydrance Intense Serum ($38), which is very gentle on sensitive skin.

Of course, we all need to make sure we drink two to three liters of water a day to maintain our skin's moisture balance, but diet can help too: "Eat more water-rich foods like cucumbers, lettuce, avocados, broccoli and watermelon," she added.