What Is The Difference Between Dry & Dehydrated Skin?
Dry and dehydrated skin has many of the same signs and symptoms, but they are actually quite different. Here is a breakdown of how to deal with these two skincare problems:
Dry Skin
Dry skin is classified as a skin type and is inherited genetically. Dry skin produced an inadequate amount of natural skin oils. In addition, dry skin can be also connected to the hormonal imbalance of the underactive thyroid. This can affect your skin’s sebum production, contributing to a complexion that is dry in appearance. While your dry skin type can’t be changed, you can improve its appearance by adding oil-infused products to your skincare routine.
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition. It is caused by external elements (weather and seasonal changes), unhealthy diet (lack of fresh produce), and lifestyle choices (alcohol or caffeine consumption). All of these factors deplete your skin’s water content, resulting in a less supple appearance. A key reason for dehydration is a lack of water - not oil; even oily skin types can become dehydrated. Luckily, dehydrated skin is temporary and can be relieved with a combination of topical treatments and lifestyle changes.
Signs of Dehydrated Skin:
1. Itchy Skin
Have you ever returned from a ski vacation or a day at the beach and felt an unrelenting need to scratch? External elements like wind and temperature changes can zap moisture from the outer layer of your skin, causing a tight, itchy sensation. This is often flaking on the skin’s surface.
2. Increased Sensitivity
One of the consequences of dehydrated skin is an increase in insensitivity. When your skin’s moisture barrier is disrupted, it cannot properly protect itself from external stressors. As a result, irritants like bacteria and pollution can penetrate its outer layer, worsening symptoms like redness, itchiness, and irritation.
3. Dull Skin
Does your skin look overall dull and tired? Dehydration affects your skin’s ability to perform essential functions like cell turnover. Without adequate hydration, your skin does not shed its outer layer frequently enough, and dead cells accumulate on its surface. This contributes to clogged pores and congestion of the complexion.
4. Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Dehydrated skin often displays signs of aging; however, unlike smile lines or crow’s feet, these wrinkles appear as a network of tiny, triangular fine lines. Try the test skin: Gently pinch the skin on the cheek. If it looks like you have fine lines, you are dehydrated.
How to Fix Dehydrated Skin?
To fix dehydrated skin, you need to address your skincare routine and your overall health. This means hydrating from the inside out as well as treating dehydration topically.
1. Wash with a Gentle Cleanser & Lukewarm Water
The best way to cleanse dehydrated skin is with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Choose cleansers that are free of harsh chemical additives and artificial fragrances that can strip the skin of beneficial moisture and aggravate sensitivities. Choose only skincare, without harmful chemicals like parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils, propylene glycol, or alcohol which dries the skin more. We recommend using oils, which gently clean impurities and hydrate skin.
2. Use a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic Acid is extremely effective in dehydrated skin. As a strong humectant, this miracle ingredient helps bind and retain moisture, keeping skin soft and pillowy. According to ELLE, hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to six liters of water and “works as a magnet for moisture, helping your cells retain as much of it as possible so that your skin feels and appears hydrated, plump and healthy.” At Simply Skin London we offer a source of 100% triple molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
3. Apply Natural Oils
One skincare you don't want to skip - especially if you have dehydrated skin - is natural oils. Oils like Squalane is found naturally in the skin. Derive from olives. It is a stable hydrocarbon that provides hydration and prevents the loss of moisture. It acts like skin sebum. Squalane keeps sebum levels balanced. Rosehip Oil and Age-Defying Facial Oil maximize hydration, replenish moisture, and protect skin against the drying effects of environmental stressors. Facial oils are packed with deeply hydrating and antioxidant-rich ingredients that work wonders for dehydrated skin; neutralize the drying and aging effects of free radicals.
4. Avoid Caffeine & Alcohol
Both substances are diuretics that compromise your skin’s health by depleting its water content. And, alcohol doubles down by hindering the production of the hormone vasopressin which is essential for rehydration. If you can’t imagine getting through the day without your morning coffee, consume one to two cups a day and no more the one glass of alcohol in the evening.
6. Protect Your Skin’s Outer Layer
Drinking eight glasses of water a day will drastically improve your skin’s hydration. Dermatologist says: “Sipping on water throughout the day is great for your body, but this hydration doesn’t actually reach your skin unless you’re extremely dehydrated.” The key is preventing water from leaving your skin by keeping its moisture barrier. One of the best ways to achieve this is with a topical treatment like Age-Defying Facial Oil which uses Almond oil to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss.
