What Is The Difference Between Dry Skin And Dehydrated Skin? Unveil The Secrets To Radiant Skin
Ever feel like your skin is a bit temperamental – sometimes dry and flaky, and other times, a little dull and lacklustre? Don’t worry, it’s not always easy to find that perfect balance or to recognise exactly what your skin needs. In today’s post we’re going to be looking at the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin to help you determine the best solution.
And because we understand it can be overwhelming to pick out the perfect skincare products for dry skin or dehydrated skin, we’ll be introducing you to some of our ultimate hydration heroes. Next stop: glowing, gorgeous skin!
Dry Skin: A Predetermined Path
Unlike dehydrated skin, dry skin is a skin type – that means it's like your own personal skin fingerprint. With dry skin, genetics can also play a role. So, if your parents had dry skin, the chances are that you might have it, too. Dry skin happens when your skin doesn't produce enough sebum, a natural oil that acts like a built-in moisturiser. Without enough sebum, your skin struggles to retain moisture, leaving it feeling tight, itchy, and prone to flaking. This is the opposite to what oily-skinned people experience - their skin produces too much sebum. But, aside from genetics, external aggressors, like harsh weather, taking hot showers, and even certain medications can exacerbate your dry skin, making it feel worse.
Dehydrated Skin: A Temporary Hiccup
On the other hand, dehydrated skin is a skin condition that anyone can experience - regardless of their skin type. When your skin becomes dehydrated it loses too much water which in turn leaves your skin appearing rough, dull, and less plump – which also causes fine lines to develop. There are a few factors that affect skin hydration, these range from environmental factors like dry air, and excessive caffeine or alcohol intake. So, if you wake up the morning after a big night out with a few too many cocktails and notice that your skin is looking dull and lifeless, dehydration is a main contributor. Plus, not drinking enough water in general, which is essential for a healthy body and brain, is also a big cause.
How To Tell The Difference Between Dry Skin And Dehydrated Skin
So, how do you know if your skin is dehydrated, or if it’s simply lacking in its natural oils? Here's a quick guide to help you know the difference.
Dry Skin
If your skin is dry, it will feel constantly tight and itchy. It will also show visible flakes and have a rough, uneven texture.
Dehydrated Skin
If your skin is dehydrated, it will feel temporarily tight - especially after cleansing. It will also have a dull appearance and may be showing signs of fine lines that seem to recover quickly once you’re hydrated again.
The Pinch Test: A Simple Trick
If you’re still unsure which category your skin falls into, you may want to try the ‘pinch test’: gently pinch the skin on your cheek and hold it for a few seconds. If your skin snaps back into place quickly once you let go, you're likely not dehydrated. However, if your skin does take a little while to bounce back, dehydration may be to blame.
Did you know? You can have both dry and dehydrated skin at the same time. If you're still feeling unsure about your skin's specific needs, you can book a virtual video consultation with one of our skin experts who will help to curate a personalised skincare routine just for you. Need a quick fix? No problem! We also offer instant recommendations on our real time online skin test that you can take here – it’s totally free to use and can be completed quickly and easily, giving you personalised product recommendations for your full skin care routine.
The Key to Balanced Skin
No matter whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, the good news is that you can treat both effectively and achieve healthy, balanced, radiant skin.
Dry Skin
To treat dry skin, regular moisturisation is key. Look for products that are packed with hydrating, nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and emollients. These hydration heroes will help to lock in the essential moisture your skin needs and will also keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable.
We love HydroPeptide Power Lift Advanced Ultra Rich Moisturiser. This award-winning moisturiser is packed with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and pineapple ceramides, it drenches your skin without feeling heavy. The velvety cream formula helps restore your skin's bounce and elasticity whilst fighting free radicals for a healthier, more youthful look. And with powerful peptides, the cream works like a natural Botox alternative, Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates your skin for a visibly firmer, smoother complexion.
Lastly, the formula locks moisture in with a double dose of hydration heroes: hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, and pineapple ceramides and shea butter create a protective barrier to keep it there for supple, radiant skin with a healthy, dewy glow.
Dehydrated Skin
To hydrate your skin, look for hyaluronic acid serums and refreshing facial mists to replenish your skin’s water content. It’s also helpful to up your own water intake to give your skin a boost from the inside out.
We love mesoestetic HA Densimatrix. This innovative hyaluronic acid concentrate combines multiple forms and sizes of HA molecules for deep, multi-level moisture. A powerful antioxidant joins forces to deliver intense hydration, fight visible signs of ageing, and plump your skin. This ultra-lightweight water-gel serum absorbs instantly, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. It also includes a unique anti-aging complex with plant extracts and antioxidants that shield your skin from environmental damage, sun exposure, and stress. These aggressors can deplete your natural hyaluronic acid reserves, but this formula helps protect them, keeping your skin youthful and radiant.
Don’t Forget To Care For Your Skin Inside Out
As well as upping your water intake, hydration supplements can be a really great way to give your skin a boost from the inside out. We love Rejuvenated H3O Hydration that delivers essential hydration at the cellular level, providing your skin with the ultimate nutritional support.
The secret lies in the formula’s unique blend of ionic minerals. These minerals act like tiny moisture magnets, attracting water and speeding up its absorption in your stomach. This results in deeply hydrated cells that function optimally. But the benefits go beyond just your skin! Proper hydration helps your body to process waste products more efficiently, leading to healthier skin and potentially even improved energy levels and weight management.
By understanding the differences between dry and dehydrated skin, you can begin your skincare  journey towards a more balanced, radiant complexion.
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Hyaluronic Acid concentrate in several forms and molecular weights, in combination with a potent antioxidant, delivers a moisturising, anti ageing and filling action whilst also promoting collagen and elastin synthesis to improve skin firmness and...
Essential cellular hydration offering nutritional support for skin by enhancing water absorption.
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