Is My Skin Dry or Dehydrated?

Does your skin feel like it needs a dash of moisture? Maybe it’s a little dry… Or is it dehydrated?

‘Is my skin dry or dehydrated?’ is one of the most searched for online phrases when it comes to skincare, so we’re providing the best breakdown so you can properly care for your parched skin.

Dry vs Dehydrated Skin

Before we get into how to properly care for your thirsty skin, it’s important to determine whether your skin is dry or dehydrated. A great way to do this is with the pinch test.

“While we tend to use the terms dry skin and dehydrated skin interchangeably, they’re actually distinctly different from one another,” explains Clere skincare brand manager Su-Marie Annandale.

“While this test isn’t definitive, it’s a good way to start thinking about your skin from the inside out”, explains Annandale.

The pinch test

Photo by Park Street on Unsplash

• Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek, abdomen, chest, or the back of your hand and hold for a few seconds.
• If your skin snaps back, it’s likely not dehydrated.
• If it takes a few moments to bounce back, it’s likely dehydrated.
• Repeat in other areas if you’d like.

Dehydrated skin

According to Annandale, dehydrated skin happens when there’s a lack of water in your skin,

“This can happen to anyone, regardless of skin type — people with oily or combination skin can experience dehydration,” she says.

Dehydrated skin can be caused by environmental factors such as the sun, humidity levels, hot showers as well as not drinking enough water.

• Dark circles under the eyes
• Itchiness
• Dullness
• Sensitive fine lines and wrinkles
• Tightness

Caring for dehydrated skin

“Oral hydration is a must because it’s adding water to your complexion from the inside,” says Annandale. If you struggle with drinking water, you can also turn to water-rich foods like celery, cucumber, strawberries, and watermelons.

Skincare tips for dehydrated skin

“If you suffer from dehydrated skin, you want to opt for products that contain humectants. Humectants, such as Glycerine, an ingredient present in all of our formulations, help to reduce water loss from the skin,” says Annandale.

Other ingredients that can help with dehydrated skin include hyaluronic acid, aloe, honey,  snail mucin, and ceramides.

– Use a gentle exfoliator: Some exfoliators can further dehydrate the skin so we recommend using a gentle and hydrating exfoliator.

– Add a Serum: This will provide an extra hydration boost.  Hyaluronic acid helps to intensively hydrate the skin.

Dry Skin

Unlike dehydrated skin, with dry skin, water isn’t the issue.

“Dry skin is when the skin lacks oils or lipids, so it takes on a more flaky, dry appearance,” says Annandale. The lack of sebum means that the skin doesn’t have the necessary lipids to retain moisture.

Ulrich Zillmann/ Getty Images

What does dry skin look like?

“If you have dry skin,” says Annandale, “You may also notice your skin developing a scaly appearance, white flakes, redness or irritation and an increased incidence of psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis”

Orawan Pattarawimonchai/Shutterstock

Caring for dry skin

“Keep on moisturizing,” says Annandale. She adds that frequent moisturization helps dry skin retain water and maintain a proper level of hydration.

Skincare tips for dry skin

Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

Annandale says the best way to deal with dry skin is by using products that help to lock in moisture.

Ingredients that can help with dry skin include hyaluronic acid, shea butter, lactic acid, as well as jojoba oil, and ceramides.

Skincare tips for dry skin

– Exfoliate: The build-up of dead skin can affect the absorption of hydrating moisturizer. Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliator, found in some beauty products that can help to remove dead skin cells and prevent ashiness.

– Use a serum

– Use heavier products: “Opt for thicker, moisturizing creams, particularly in winter,” says Annandale, such as the Clere’s range of lotions and crèmes whose formulations provide 48-hour moisturization.

– Put a humidifier in the house: This will help to keep the air humid and your skin better hydrated.

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