Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin. What’s the Difference?

You’ve probably heard both terms used before, especially if you’ve had your skin analyzed by a skin care professional. The differences are significant and when it comes to choosing skin care products, it’s important to understand both skin conditions.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin, as a skin type that is not producing oil (sebum) in the skin. Dry skin will generally have small pores due to lack of oil being produced in the skin, since the follicles are not dilated. Skin relies on oil to hold moisture into the skin and without it, it can appear rough, with a matte finish, flaky, itchy and wrinkles are more pronounced. Dry skin can also lead to a damaged barrier function which results in increased sensitivity and inflamed skin. Inflammation causes a chain or biochemical reactions that lead to collagen and elastin breakdown.

The hormone estrogen also influences dry skin. After menopause, this hormone decreases substantially in the bloodstream. This can affect skin dryness and decrease the production of collagen in the dermis. So we need to replace this loss and use ingredients to create collagen.

How can you treat dry skin?

• Dry skin requires moisturizers to restore its bi-layers (protective layer) to prevent evaporation and moisture loss.
• Wash with cleansing lotions  to remove surface flakiness and promote cell renewal, as they improve natural production of inter cellular lipids for the barrier function. Avoid over cleansing and harsh foaming cleansers.
• The one mistake is to over exfoliate to remove dry skin. Over exfoliating will dry out our skin more. Your skin needs more lipids to restore what it is lacking. Your skin will respond and love if you exfoliate with round jojba beads in a nourishing cream base, replacing natural oils in the skin rather than washing them out.
• Use a humidifier in the winter months to keep moisture in the air – and in your skin.
• Avoid ingredients such as emulsifiers, mineral oils, silicones, fragrances, dyes and preservatives that will strip oils and compromise the protective layer (lipid barrier) of your skin.
• Your skin will love and respond to using a customized blended moisturizer for increasing water and oil. In really dry months and climates, an added serum under your moisturizer will provide an additional layer of protection to the skin.

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin, as a skin condition, lacks water content, but may still produce oil. Dehydrated skin, while it can be flaky, generally feels tight and can form fine lines easily due to the surface cells being “deflated,” lacking water that normally makes the surface smoother. If looked closely through a magnifying glass, dehydrated skin can look like corn flakes rather than plump smooth rice. Dehydrated skin is common among those with oily and acne-prone skin who use harsh products that strip the skin of water that break down the protective layer of your skin (protective layer). Our environments can also cause a surface dehydration to our skin.

How can you treat dehydrated skin?

• Keeping your the protective layer (lipid barrier) restored will prevent water loss from within the skin. It is important whether your skin is dry or oily to always provide and restore the protective layer (lipid barrier) to prevent water loss from within the skin.
• Go easy on exfoliants. Using too many acids and scrubs too often and too aggressively can cause surface dehydration and inflammation. Your products should restore acid mantle (pH) and restore balance and ratios of natural oils.
• If you have oily skin, make sure the cleansing gels don’t strip the natural oils you need along with the protective layer to keep your skin soft and supple.
• Lifestyle choices need to be looked at such as; coffee, alcohol, outdoor activities,  junk food, medications etc.  Drinking more water and adjusting your environment and skin care routine can greatly turn dehydrated skin around.

In both dry and dehydrated skin there is most likely an Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency (EFAD) in the skin so make sure this is included in your skin care products.  Knowing the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is important and treating it for what it needs is important. The benefits of a good skin care routine will support cell function and regeneration as well as smooth, calm and plump your skin.