Dry vs Dehydrated Skin

Imagine this, your skin feels tight, itchy, and rough, you go to apply makeup, and it begins to cling to dry patches, then suddenly, your skin looks textured, begins to flake off and you even start to break out. All these signs mean you might be one of 91 % of people experiencing dehydrated skin.

Firstly, it’s important to note that dehydrated skin and dry skin are two separate concerns. They can share similarities in the way they manifest, as they both can bring about dull skin that is lacking radiance, showing signs of flakiness, or exhibiting tightness –some people might even experience both dry and dehydrated skin. Being able to identify the difference between the two is critical to finding the perfect routine. Remember, while they share similar traits, they require different solutions. Let’s break it down...

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Dehydrated skin is a skin concern while dry skin is a skin type. Dry skin comes about due to a lack of oil meanwhile dehydrated skin is due to a lack of water. Dehydrated skin is very common and can happen to anyone - younger skin, older skin, teens, everyone can experience it. Since it stems from a lack of water, your skin becomes thirsty and to rehydrate itself, it starts to produce oil, however this often leads to overproduction of oil which can cause clogged pores and acne.

Not only can dehydrated skin cause breakouts but it can also exacerbate other concerns such as fine lines and dark circles. The skin under the eyes can develop a sunken, hollow and discolored look, revealing the blood vessels more prominently. When the skin is experiencing lack of water, temporary fine lines can appear which can be mistaken for wrinkles. Hydrating your skin can minimize the appearance of these fine lines.

Dry skin on the other hand, is a skin type which stems from oil production and can show up as very itchy, and tender with flakiness that varies from slight to severe. It can appear due to age, hormones or genetics. A telltale sign of dry skin can be deeper lines that have a cracked “riverbed” look to them.

ARE YOU DEHYDRATED?

There’s an easy way to tell if your skin is dehydrated. You can try the “Pinch Test”. Simply, take a small amount of skin on your cheek and after pinching it for a few seconds the bounce will allow you to tell if your skin is dehydrated or dry. If the skin takes a few moments to bounce back, you are likely experiencing dehydrated skin.

THE SOLUTION

There are some easy ways to solve dehydrated and dry skin, some of these ways can even help treat both. One of the most important things to remember is the difference between hydration and moisturization – yes, they’re different but yes, your skin needs both. 

HYDRATING attracts and binds water within the skin, to replenish the skin’s hydration levels and helping you maintain a plump, smooth, and healthy appearance. Hydration can also help to combat a damaged skin barrier. Look for ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin for optimal hydration.

MOISTURISING locks in your hydration by creating a protective seal on the skin’s surface and reinforcing the skin’s barrier to help reduce water loss.

STEP 1: Cleanse

Oat Cleansing Balm is suitable for both dry & dehydrated skin. This cleansing balm is a multi-faceted product that can be used as a cleanser, makeup remover, and a hydrating mask. It can even breakdown mineral SPF. It has a base of Colloidal Oatmeal partnered with Oat Kernel Oil that soothes and nourishes the skin leaving it feeling clean and soft without any tightness. 

STEP 2: Hydrate

At The INKEY List, we know that healthy skin starts with hydrated skin, and from formulating skincare with hydrating ingredients at their core to making ‘hydrate’ its own step in your daily skincare routine, this foundational belief is at the heart of the brand. Hydrating offers a meaningful defense against common skincare challenges and aids in supporting solutions. 

Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Hyaluronic Acid is a renowned humectant known for its capabilities to pull moisture to the skin. This product is lightweight, non-tacky, and an ideal introduction to hydration for beginners or anyone new to Hyaluronic Acid. Strengthened with Matrixyl 3000™, this serum also aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines, delivering the perfect instant dose of hydration for the skin.

Or

Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum: Known for its exceptional ability to unlock the ultimate in skin hydration whilst protecting and repairing the skin’s barrier, Ectoin is a natural ingredient that helps to defend against dehydration and fully optimize skin health from the inside out. Working within the skin’s surface layers to deliver the dual power of barrier + hydration, the advanced formula is clinically proven to deeply hydrate and strengthen the barrier in just 15 minutes, leaving skin visibly bouncier and smoother in just 7 days.

STEP 3: Treat 

DRY SKIN: Similar to Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid Serum holds moisture- in fact, it holds four times more moisture than Hyaluronic Acid. The difference is that it does so on the surface of the skin. This high-molecular weight amino polymer enhances moisturization, aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines. The silky texture makes it perfect to use as a primer beneath your make up.

DEHYDRATED SKIN: Caffeine Eye Cream is a lightweight and hydrating eye cream that's like a wake-up call for tired looking eyes. Clinically proven to improve the appearance of under-eye puffiness and dark circles from first use, the hero ingredient caffeine is an antioxidant that provides protection from environmental stressors. The addition of Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract aids in reducing signs of under-eye fatigue. 

Step 4: Moisturize 

DRY AND DEHYDRATED SKIN: Omega Water Cream is Ideal for all skin types, this lightweight gel-cream instantly transforms on the skin delivering a lightweight veil of hydration. Formulated without any oils or silicones, this moisturizer nourishes and hydrates the skin without feeling heavy on the skin or making it feel greasy. It combines barrier supporting omega fatty acids with Glycerin to lock in moisture and a dash of Niacinamide at 5% to promote an even skin tone. 

DEHYDRATED SKIN: Peptide Moisturizer is nourishing yet fast absorbing, this moisturizer aids in balancing the skin's natural oil levels while aiming to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 1% Hydrating Peptide solution supports your skin's moisture barrier for visibly radiant skin while 2% Royal Epigen helps to even skin tone and delay aging of the cells. 

DRY SKIN: Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer is a rich, velvety moisturizer that deeply hydrates the skin, helping to prevent water loss and improve hydration and skin barrier function. Supported with Granisil Blur, this moisturizer has a soft focus effect that makes the skin look smoother. It also targets six signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, plumpness, firmness, lift, elasticity and barrier function), delivering a clinical improvement in 28 days.

Though often used interchangeably, dry and dehydrated skin have distinct needs. They do, however, share a similar goal of achieving balance and hydration. By adopting a tailored approach with the right products that target hydration and nourishment such as gentle cleansers, hydrating serums and rich moisturizers you will find that you will keep patchy skin at bay while saying hello to a healthy, hydrated, and happy complexion.