Is Your Skin Actually Dry, or Is It Just Dehydrated?

POV: your skin’s flaky, tight, and even a bit rough to the touch. (Dewy skin? Don’t know her.) What’s your skin trying to tell you?

When it comes to skincare, people often use the words dry and dehydrated interchangeably. While dry and dehydrated skin may look and feel about the same, their root causes different – meaning that the optimal remedies are different as well.

We’ll help you play detective to figure out whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, then get to the bottom of the MOST effective methods to help you achieve silky, smooth, comfortable skin.

Is Your Skin Dry or Dehydrated?

TL;DR: peep the table below to figure out what’s going on here and what you can do about it.

What Is Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a common skin type characterized not by a lack of water, but by a lack of natural oil (sebum) production. 

Signs of dry skin include:

• Flaking or peeling
• Dry appearance and texture
• A feeling of tightness
• Pronounced fine lines
• Redness or irritation
• In some cases, psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis

Dry skin is typically a genetic condition. If your skin has always been similar to how it is now (compared to oily, combination, normal, or sensitive skin), chances are you’re dealing with dry skin. But other factors including climate, medical treatments, over-bathing, drying products, and age can make it more severe. 

How Can I Treat Dry Skin?

Dry skin needs moisturizing. It needs oils and lipids to supplement its natural, often lacking sebum production. It can also benefit from gentle skincare products that support the skin barrier. 

Here are a few tips for caring for dry skin:

• Use a nourishing moisturizer – ideally a rich emollient moisturizer with ceramides. (If you have extremely dry/eczema-prone skin, look for a moisturizer with an emollient and an occlusive, like petrolatum or silicones.)
• Give yourself a home facial to allow your skin extra time to soak in the nourishing oils in your skincare routine.
• Use a humidifier while you sleep, especially when the weather is dry/cold
• Avoid harsh soaps and alcohol-based products
• Take warm (not hot) showers and baths
• Avoid over-exfoliating
• Ask your doctor (whether a dermatologist or your general practitioner if you suspect your medication is contributing to dry skin)

What Is Dehydrated Skin?

Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition where the skin lacks water. Water loss disrupts skin barrier function, which can make your skin feel tight, uncomfortable, and dry.

Dehydrated skin can occur as a result of a dehydrated body or as a result of skin barrier damage.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Dullness of the skin
• A more frequent appearance of wrinkles or fine lines
• “Shadowed” skin or dark under-eye circles
• Itchiness
• Other full-body signs of dehydration, including extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness, and less frequent urination

How Can I Treat Dehydrated Skin?

If it sounds like you’re experiencing dehydration, here’s what to do:

• Use a hydrating moisturizer that helps maintain your skin barrier function, with an emollient like ceramides.
• Add a humectant to your skincare routine. Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and alpha hydroxy acids bind with water to help your skin retain moisture
• Drink more water. It’ll keep your skin healthy and the rest of your body healthy.
• Lessen your caffeine intake throughout the day. Caffeine can leave you dehydrated.
• Eat water-rich fruits and veggies. Foods like melons, strawberries, oranges, peppers, celery, broccoli, and many more can help increase overall hydration.

Dry Skin FAQs

How can I tell if my skin is dry or dehydrated?

One of the best ways to test for proper hydration is the pinch test: look in the mirror and pinch your cheek. If its elasticity bounces back, you likely have hydrated skin. If the skin wrinkles or stays pinched, it may be dehydrated. 

If you’re not sure whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, ask a dermatologist.

Can oily skin be dehydrated?

Yes. Dehydration is a skin condition, not a skin type. Any skin type can be dehydrated and in need of water.

Is it possible to have both dry and dehydrated skin at the same time?

Yes. Your skin might be in need of both water (hydration) and moisture (oils.)

What are the long-term effects of neglecting dry or dehydrated skin?

Untreated dry or dehydrated skin can lead to increased dryness, flakiness, premature wrinkles, and discomfort.

Long-term effects of dehydration aren’t just skin-deep – it can affect kidney function, brain function, and heart health.

What role does exfoliation play in treating dry and dehydrated skin?

A complex one. In some cases, overexfoliation can cause dry skin… but not exfoliating enough and leaving flaky, dead skin cells on the skin can also make the problem worse. Whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, it’s good practice to exfoliate your face no more than once a week with a gentle chemical exfoliant featuring AHAs or BHAs to remove dead skin cells and clean pores. For the rest of your body, try a gentle physical exfoliant, like the Glow Glove.

Glow Glove

Exfoliating Body Glove

$20$40

How often should I moisturize if I have dry or dehydrated skin?

Moisturize twice a day, morning and night. 

How should I alter my skincare routine when transitioning from summer to winter to prevent dehydration?

Continue to drink lots of water and use a humectant like hyaluronic acid to make sure your skin retains moisture even as the air gets dryer. Consider swapping moisturizers for something even more nourishing for winter months – adding an occlusive moisturizer to your evening routine, for example.

Related: Winter Skin Care Tips

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• Petal 2
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