Is your skin dry or dehydrated? Differences, causes and treatment

Do you feel your skin is tight, itchy, irritated, and sensitive? Does it look dull, lifeless, or gray? If so, you probably have dry or dehydrated skin. But don't worry, Under Your Skin is here to tell you everything you need to know about both dehydrated and dry skin. We'll talk about the difference between these two terms, the causes of dehydration, and the best skincare routines to address these issues. So keep reading to learn how to treat and prevent dry skin on your face.

The Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin

First and foremost, we need to compare dehydrated and dry skin to pinpoint the differences between these two terms. When talking about dry skin, we're referring to a specific skin type. There are several different skin types you can have: oily, dry, combination, normal, and sensitive. What determines your skin type is your genetics. Dry skin means that your skin doesn't produce enough lipids, i.e., natural oils.

On the other hand, dehydrated skin is a skin condition. There are many different skin conditions, and they are caused by various internal and external factors. Any type of skin can become dehydrated, meaning the skin lacks moisture.

• Tight skin - if your skin feels tight and not very elastic, it's possible that your skin type may be dry.
• Flaky skin - people with dry skin type often experience flaky skin, especially around the mouth, nose, and eyebrows.
• Irritated skin - if your skin is very dry, it can become irritated because it lacks lipids that retain moisture in the skin. This leads to a weak skin barrier, and you need to adjust your skincare routine, such as using a facial oil.

Skin absorbs products quickly - after applying your serum or creams, they are usually absorbed quickly because dry skin needs a lot of hydration and nourishment. However, you may get a sticky feeling on your skin if your skin type is oily.

Signs of Dehydrated Skin

As mentioned, all skin types can become dehydrated due to many different factors. If you have oily skin, you can also dehydrate your skin. So, let's talk a bit about the signs that can help you see if your skin lacks moisture.

• Fine lines - many young people think they're starting to get wrinkles and that they need anti-aging products. But usually, their skin is just dehydrated, resulting in small fine lines. Don't worry; they will disappear if you simply take care of your skin correctly.
• Sensitivity - if the skin is dehydrated, the skin barrier is probably weakened. Therefore, the skin becomes quite sensitive and reactive. Then you need to give your skin more care to strengthen the skin barrier.
• Redness & inflammation - since your skin barrier is damaged, the skin is more prone to a range of other problems such as redness, inflammation, acne, and itching.

To treat dehydrated skin properly, you need to learn what dries out the skin. There are many different reasons why the skin becomes dehydrated. It can be external factors such as weather and cold air. Dehydrated skin can also be due to not drinking enough water and consuming too much caffeine or alcohol.

When it comes to products that cause dry skin, it can be two different things. First, it's possible that you're using a facial cleanser that is too strong and drying out your skin. It may also be because you're exfoliating your skin too much and too often. For example, excessive use of AHA and BHA acids can dry out your skin.

How to Treat Dry Skin on the Face

Even though you can't change your skin type, you can treat dry and flaky skin with the right products and improve its condition. So, here are our best tips for dry skin and good products to consider:

• Don't use a strong facial cleanser. Choose a moisturizing facial cleanser without SLS. Strong ingredients like SLS can further dry out your already dry skin.
• Use facial oil. Oils like our Natural Glow Facial Oil can strengthen your skin barrier and deeply moisturize it, making it a perfect product for dry skin.
• Choose a protective moisturizer. To provide your skin with enough nourishment, you need a rich moisturizer that creates a protective layer on the skin and prevents moisture loss. Look for ingredients like oils, silicones, waxes, petrolatum.
• Look for products rich in ceramides. These are natural building blocks of your skin and help maintain the optimal moisture level in the skin.
• Don't exfoliate too much. While it's good to exfoliate the skin from time to time, if the skin is dry, you shouldn't use strong products. You can exfoliate and remove dead skin cells with milder ingredients like lactic acid, for example.

How to Care for Dehydrated Skin

Now that you know everything about both dehydrated and dry skin and what helps dry skin, let's go through how to treat dehydrated skin properly and make your skin glow. Here are some tips that can help you build a good skincare routine.

• Use a mild facial cleanser. Once again, it's essential not to dry out the skin with strong facial cleansers, so avoid ingredients like SLS, fragrances, and alcohol.
• Mild exfoliation. It's good to exfoliate the skin from time to time, but if the skin is dehydrated, you shouldn't use strong products. You can exfoliate and remove dead skin cells with milder ingredients like lactic acid.
• Use moisture-retaining ingredients. Look for serums, creams, toners, and cleansing products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides.
• Drink more water. Hydrate the body from the inside to prevent skin dehydration.

Choose the Best Skincare Routine for Dry or Dehydrated Skin

So, whether you have dry or dehydrated skin on your face, you can adjust your skincare to get the best results and protect your skin. By finding products that contain the right ingredients, you can help your skin shine and look better. Now you know why you have dry skin and what causes dry skin. Follow our tips to treat your skin type or condition in the best way, good luck!