When it comes to skincare, dry and dehydrated can feel interchangeable ways to describe texture. However, there are differences between the feel, texture and appearance of dry and dehydrated skin, as well as the way that they should be treated.

What’s the difference?

Dry skin is often a result of the underproduction of oil, or sebum, that keeps the skin moisturised and glowing. This skin type can be affected by environmental factors, as well as genetics. However, dehydrated skin is the result of a lack of water in the skin. Dehydrated skin can affect anyone, including those with naturally oily skin. In short: Dehydrated skin = lack of water, dry skin = lack of oil.

In terms of texture, dryness can present as scaly, red, flaky irritated skin and can be sometimes associated with eczema and psoriasis. Dry skin doesn’t automatically indicate the presence of a skin condition though.

Meanwhile, dehydration can manifest as itchy, dull skin that increases the appearance of fine lines and under-eye circles. The best way to identify if your skin is dehydrated is to try the pinch test; pinch a small amount of skin and hold for a few seconds. If your skin takes a few moments to bounce back, your skin is likely dehydrated.

Caring for Dry Skin

Because dry skin is often related to genetic or environmental factors, a lot of care is concentrated on managing irritation and encouraging healthy oil production.

One key way to care for dry skin is to be sure to use warm, never hot water, on your skin. By using hot water on your skin it will strip the skin of the valuable natural oils that it produces, which can be problematic if your skin is already underproducing this. Don’t wash away your skin’s hard work!

Secondly, if your skin barrier is damaged, you may find that your skin is dryer than normal. Whilst healing your skin barrier, ensure that you are using a rich moisturiser to lock in any additional moisture to your skin throughout the day and night.

Finally, look for specialist skincare to tackle dry skin, such as the sebamed collection. We have products to help keep dry skin and hair at bay, reducing irritation and inflammation as well as protecting the skin barrier with pH 5.5.

Caring for Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin is often a symptom of something deeper, and can be a sign that you are dehydrated overall. It may seem obvious by the first step to caring for dehydrated skin is to get hydrated by making sure that you are increasing your water intake. Of course, if you’re finding that increasing water intake doesn’t seem to help at all, as well as frequently experiencing symptoms such as; dizziness, dry mouth, light-headedness or overall weakness, you should consider speaking to a medical professional. 

Taking care of your skin involves understanding the differences between dry and dehydrated skin and tailoring your skincare routine accordingly. By properly caring for your skin, you can maintain a healthy, glowing complexion.