Dry Vs Dehydrated – How to tell the difference?
As a working makeup artist I think the most common line I say back to clients is “You’re actually dehydrated , not dry” and I am always asked, what’s the difference?
Basically, dryness refers to a skin type, and dehydration refers to a skin condition. They can however share common traits which is completely easy to see why people get confused or may say “I am normally oily but lately I am dry.”
Dry Skin Lacks Oil because it produces less sebum than normal skin. (Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by your body's sebaceous glands. It coats, moisturizes, and protects your skin)
Dehydrated skin does not have enough water. Dehydration is caused by many external factors, but the most common are weather, environment, diet, and caffeine consumption, all of which can result in diminished water content within the skin." Dehydration can affect ALL skin types, even Oily or Acne prone skin.
A good test to discover whether you are dehydrated is to pinch your cheek. If it's wrinkling with gentle pressure instead of holding its shape, your skin cells are desperate for water. Your skin may also feel tight, look dull, and you may notice more exaggerated wrinkles, or ones in places you don't remember having them, along with more exaggerated dark circles beneath your eyes.
Other common signs of dehydration include redness, lots of congestion, and inflammation.
How to treat Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Its really important to know the difference when it comes to figuring out if you are dry vs dehydrated. Take me for example, for years I thought I was dry and would invest in rich moisturisers, overnight oils, gel based foundations only to find that after a couple of uses I would breakout.
Dry Skin lacks lipids (oils) – you can’t necessarily “fix” dry skin but you can improve its appearance. It’s a skin type that constantly needs worked with. Use oil/cream/milk-based cleansers, a hydrating hyaluronic acid based serum teamed with a fatty acid/ceramide based moisturiser and taking an omega supplement also is advised.
Dehydrated skin lacks water and can affect ALL skin types, drinking 8 glasses of water unfortunately isn’t the only solution, although it does help. look for serums that contain hyaluronic acid and collagen such as our Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum, as well as water-based face mists to replenish moisture reserves and give skin its bounce back. (3in1 Hyaluronic Face Mist)
Ingredients to look out for
| Ingredient | Best for dry or dehydrated skin? |
| hyaluronic acid | both: be sure to apply an oil or moisturiser to lock it in |
| glycerin | dehydrated |
| aloe | dehydrated |
| honey | dehydrated |
| nut or seed oil, such as coconut, almond, hemp | dry |
| shea butter | dry |
|
plant oils, such as squalene, jojoba, rose hip,
tea tree |
dry |
| mineral oil | dry |
| lanolin | dry |
| lactic acid | dehydrated |
| citric acid | dehydrated |
| ceramide | both: ceramides strengthen the skin’s barrier to help prevent moisture loss |
