We can't be the only ones who have ever wondered what the difference is between dry and dehydrated skin? Surely they're the same thing? Wrongo!
We understand the confusion caused by these two but let us explain because they’re completely different. One is a skin type and one is a skin concern.
- Dry skin lacks natural oil production – this is a skin type
- Dehydrated skin just lacks water – this is a skin concern
So now you know the difference between both dry and dehydrated skin, how do you know whether your skin is dry or dehydrated? And what can you do to assist your skin? Here are a few common signs and some care tips to help you.
Signs of dry skin
- Rough, flaky or itchy skin
- Redness and irritation
- Skin feels tight
- Small, fine lines
- Thin, fragile skin
Skin types are usually genetic and they’re easily managed with the right skincare for your skin type!
How to care for your dry skin
Lacking oil production, a care routine for dry skin will focus on introducing nourishing oils – from your cleanser through to your facial oil.
- Cleanse: Let's start at the beginning of your routine, with your cleanser. Use a nourishing, non-drying oil cleanser such as Naked: Powder to Foam Cleanser
- Hydrate: Nourish dry skin with a floral water to deeply hydrate and envelop your skin to prevent loss of moisture. We recommend Wild Rose: Organic Rose Water
- Oil: Seal much needed moisturiser into your skin with a facial oil specifically formulated for dry skin Super Seed: Cannabis Sativa Oil.
Signs of dehydrated skin
Caused by a lack of hydration, all skin types can experience dehydration at any time. While the signs are very similar between dry and dehydrated skin, there are a few important things to keep an eye out for....
- Tight-feeling skin, even after moisturising
- Redness
- Congestion
- Oily, shiny complexion (oil production is working overtime to compensate for the lack of hydration)
- Fine lines and wrinkles are more obvious than usual
Pinch test: Gently pinch your skin and release. If it bounces back straight away, your skin is hydrated. If it takes a moment for the skin to return to its regular state, your skin needs moisture – now!
How to care for dehydrated skin
- Hydrate: This one’s obvious – but increase your water intake.
- Use hydrating skincare ingredients: Ingredients like rose water increase your skins water retention, as well as using botanical oils to lock any moisture in.
Tips for hydrating your skin
Hydration is all about restoring the skins water levels. When skin lacks hydration, we will often see it indicated through premature fine lines, flakiness and tightness.
Moisturising restores the skins protective lipid barrier. The barrier can be weakened if the skin produces little oil – which can be a result of the dry skin type.
Dry skin or dehydrated skin, we hope that you can now be on your way to happier and healthier skin.
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