Determining whether your skin is dry or dehydrated is vital in finding the appropriate skincare solutions. In this blog post, we will explore the distinctions between dry and dehydrated skin and provide effective treatments to restore moisture and achieve a healthy, radiant complexion.
What is Dry Skin?
Dry skin is characterized by roughness, flakiness, tightness, and dullness. It is a skin type that lacks oil and lipids at a deeper level, resulting in dryness, particularly during the winter months. Cold weather affects blood circulation, impairs skin tissue and cell function, and slows down sebum production, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s protective lipid barrier (1).
What is Dehydrated Skin?
Dehydrated skin is a condition that can affect anyone, causing dullness, tightness, sensitivity, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures, pollution, inflammation, and the use of irritating skincare products, can compromise the skin barrier, leading to transepidermal water loss. Even individuals with dry skin can experience dehydration if they do not adequately rehydrate and replenish their skin’s moisture reservoirs (2).
How to Determine if Your Skin is Dry or Dehydrated?
To differentiate between dry and dehydrated skin, you can perform a simple pinch test. Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek, abdomen, chest, or the back of your hand and hold it for a few seconds. If your skin takes some time to bounce back instead of immediately returning to its original state, it is likely dehydrated. Dry skin, on the other hand, will generally feel uncomfortable due to the lack of oil (3).
Treating Dry Skin
To effectively treat dry skin, begin with gentle but thorough cleansing to remove residue and pollutants. For intense moisture, use a hyaluronic serum or a serum with natural humectants such as our calming serum Micro Algae Immun B3 Serum to help reduce redness and irritation. Complete your regimen with an eye cream and a face cream rich in Squalane, Grape, Avocado, and good fatty acids, which help counteract moisture loss (4, 5).
Treating Dehydrated Skin
For dehydrated skin, a hyaluronic serum can provide a much-needed moisture boost to both superficial and deeper skin layers. Look for a formulation infused with antioxidant-rich vitamins like Niacinamide, which protect the skin’s barriers, microbiome to promote its health and youthfulness. Additionally, a serum and a cream rich in natural humectants and moisturizing ingredients provide on-the-go hydration, detoxification, and revitalization while defending against water loss (6, 7).
Supporting Your Skin through your Diet
Hydration from within is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids and consume water-rich fruits and vegetables as part of your lifestyle. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in fatty fish like salmon, berries, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, olive oil, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts, can help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy and radiant complexion. The tailored skincare routines discussed in this article can strengthen the skin barrier, protect against harsh elements, and enhance your skin’s natural beauty (8, 9).
Understanding the differences between dry and dehydrated skin is essential for achieving optimal skin health. By correctly diagnosing your skin condition and following the recommended skincare treatments, you can effectively restore moisture, combat dryness and dehydration, and enjoy a healthy, radiant complexion.
Molecular Immunologist & Skincare Expert
As an Immunologist trained in Molecular Medicine and as an expert in skin care and cosmetic chemistry, Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu has spent +20 years researching skin, impact of hormones on the immune system sharing her findings in international publications with her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Trusted by scientists, doctors, editors, bloggers, celebrities and skincare lovers around the world, her deep real-world knowledge and research are invested in every drop of AveSeena.
Scientific References:
Rawlings AV. Dry skin: biology and management. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2011;41:1-7.
Farage MA, et al. Physiological variations in skin barrier function: evidence from transepidermal water loss measurements. Contact Dermatitis. 2008;58(5):255-61.
Ganceviciene R, et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):308-19.
Schagen SK, et al. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):298-307.
Arora P, et al. Role of natural antioxidants in health and disease: a review. J Appl Pharm Sci. 2012;2(8):236-43.
Papakonstantinou E, et al. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-8.
Chang TM. Therapeutic applications of hyaluronan and its derivatives in angiogenesis, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Adv Pharm. 2015;724:327-43.
Danby SG, et al. Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatr Dermatol. 2013;30(1):42-50.
Bowe WP, et al. Diet and acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;63(1):124-41.
