‘Dry’ and ‘dehydrated’ – with how much people have been using these two terms interchangeably in relation to skin, you might get the impression that they mean the same thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only are those two completely different things, but they also need to be taken care of differently.
Together with experts from https://primalharvest.com/, we put up a short guide that will help you understand how dry skin and dehydrated skin are different and how to care for each of them.
So, let’s just get started.
What Is Dehydrated Skin?
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition that occurs when the skin lacks water. It can happen to anyone – no matter what skin type they have – even a person with an oily skin type can get it. Dehydrated skin can be caused by a number of factors, such as incorrect use of products, makeup, or even weather conditions.
Dehydrated skin usually looks dull, and it can show premature signs of aging, such as loss of elasticity and surface wrinkles. Additionally, people with this skin condition might also notice things like itchiness and a darker under-eye appearance.
One of the best ways to figure out if you are experiencing dehydrated skin is the pinch test. Just keep in mind that it might not be 100% accurate. Here is how it works:
• Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek, chest, abdomen, the back of your hand, or your chest, and hold it for a few seconds.
• If your skin snaps back quickly, it probably isn’t dehydrated. If it takes a few seconds to bounce back, the chances are that it lacks water.
• If you want to, you can repeat this test on different areas.
How to Take Care of Dehydrated Skin?
If your skin lacks water, then the best thing you can do is give it what it wants – precisely, water.
Thankfully, dehydrated skin is treatable with lifestyle changes. The first step is to increase water intake. You can start with the old rule – that is, eight glasses per day. However, keep in mind that depending on your activity level and body weight, you might need more than that – the best thing you can do is consult your doctor about it. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as drinking too much water is also not good for you – it can lead to minerals’ loss. If you don’t really like drinking water, you can incorporate water-rich vegetables and fruits into your diet – such as watermelon or celery.
Here are some lifestyle changes that you can apply in order to treat dehydrated skin:
• If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation
• Drink less coffee, and restrain from other sources of caffeine
• Stop smoking
• Get plenty of sleep (preferably around 8 hours)
• Incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes
• Exercise regularly
• Drink water during your workout (at least a few sips every 20 minutes)
• Replenish fluids after your workout
If your skin doesn’t improve after you implement those changes into your life, the chances are that you are dealing not with dehydrated skin but dry skin.
What is Dry Skin?
When it comes to dry skin, lack of water is not a problem – the problem is lack of oils.Â
Contrary to dehydrated skin, dry skin is not a skin condition – it’s a skin type with which you were born. However, it can worsen due to a number of reasons, such as aging, hormonal changes, weather conditions, UV radiation from tanning beds, indoor heating, long and hot baths and showers, ingredients in the products you use (soaps, cosmetics, cleansers), or medications.
Some of the things indicating that you have dry skin include:
• redness
• irritation
• scaly skin
• white flakes
How to Take Care of Dry Skin?
If your skin lacks natural oils, then the best solution for you is to start using oil-based products. They are actually perfect for dry skin, as they are anhydrous, which means that they don’t carry any water, and they penetrate and moisturize the skin. Another thing that is really helpful in taking care of dry skin is using products that form a protective but also breathable seal over the skin that locks in moisture.
When it comes to dry skin, it’s crucial to use cosmetics that not only hydrate your skin but also moisturize it, which is why you always need to look at the ingredients the product contains. Here are some that you should be looking for:
• hyaluronic acid*
• nut or seed oil (coconut oil, almond oil, hemp oil, etc.)
• shea butter
• mineral oil
• ceramide*
• plant oils (jojoba, rosehip, tea tree, squalene)
• lanolin
*helpful with both dry and dehydrated skin
Additionally, you might want to use a humidifier (especially during the winter season) and wear a gel sleeping mask for an extra boost.
While lifestyle changes cannot cure dry skin type, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to implement some, as they will definitely improve its condition. Such lifestyle changes include:
• Take short baths and showers – no more than once a day
• Use gentle soaps and cleansers
• Avoid deodorant soaps
• Don’t scrub when bathing or drying
• Use a rich moisturizer after the bath, reapply it throughout the day
• Wear gloves when using household detergents
The Bottom Line
Even though some people use the terms dehydrated skin and dry skin interchangeably, those things are not the same. Dry skin is a skin type that can only be improved, while dehydrated skin is a condition that can be treated.
Depending on whether you have dry skin or dehydrated skin, you will need to implement different changes to your lifestyle, as well as your skincare routine – this is especially crucial when it comes to dry skin, as it needs to be both hydrated and moisturized, otherwise, it might get worse if it’s only hydrated.
We hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of the difference between those two, and you’ll be able to tell by yourself whether you are dealing with dry skin or dehydrated skin. Good luck!
