Everything You Need to Know About The Difference Between Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin

…There’s a difference?

Yes! Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often thought of as synonymous even though they’re not, which is confusing. Even more confusing, both tend to feel the same—dry. But they’re actually two totally different issues—dryness refers to skin type, while dehydration refers to a skin condition.

Okay. What else?

If you have dry skin, it means you’re lacking oil. Dry skin looks flaky, rough, and cracked. Dry skin produces less sebum than normal skin. Without enough sebum, the skin is without lipids needed to retain moisture and fails to build a strong skin barrier. Those with dry skin were born this way—and they’re likely dry elsewhere on the body too.

On the other hand, dehydrated skin is skin lacking water. Dehydrated skin looks dull and flat. This can happen to anyone, regardless of skin type—yes, people with oily or combination skin can still experience dehydration. Skin dehydration can be caused by anything that damages the skin barrier, such as changes in temperature, harsh weather, stress, sun damage, lack of sleep, etc.

Despite what might be considered common sense, you can have an oily complexion but still have dehydrated skin. In fact, an oiler complexion could actually be a sign of dehydration. When skin is dehydrated, it ups oil production in an effort to make up for the missing water. This can cause breakouts and irritation. Dehydrated skin also usually means a compromised skin barrier.

Dry skin is a permanent condition; dehydrated skin is a temporary one.

Woah, that was a lot of information. Can you simplify?

But of course, my young grasshoppers.

Thanks. They still seem kind of similar though. Any other differences?

A proper diagnosis is key to understanding and treating both dry and dehydrated skin.

A good, but not foolproof, test is to pinch your cheek. If it’s wrinkling with gentle pressure (instead of holding its shape), your skin is likely dehydrated.

If your skin feels tight, it’s probably dehydrated. If your skin feels itchy, it’s probably dry.

Got it. Let’s say I have dry skin. What should I do?

So, bad news: you can’t necessarily fix dry skin. That being said, you can improve its appearance and mange the condition. In treating dry skin, it’s important to balance pH levels in the skin and soothe any discomfort.

Remember, dry skin is skin that fails to produce enough oil on its own. So, we need to manually apply those oils ourselves, which can be done throughout one’s skincare routine.

Avoid foaming cleansers as they strip the skin and will leave your skin feeling tight and rough. Instead, opt for an oil-based cleanser. Also, avoid using hot water. It breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, further decreasing moisture. Another great tip is to moisturize the shit out of your skin. After every single face wash and/or shower, apply a thick, more occlusive moisturizer and a hydrating face oil. This will help trap existing moisture in the skin.

Some non-skincare tips for dealing with dry skin: use a humidifier and drink tons of water.

Now let’s say I have dehydrated skin. What should I do?

My best advice is to be kind to your skin. Obviously the name of the game here is hydration. So wash with a gentle cleanser (foaming is fine). Choose cleansers free of harsh chemical additives and artificial fragrances, since they can strip the skin of moisture and further aggravate sensitivities.

Avoid intense exfoliation. Opt for something with lactic acid. Or, take a break from exfoliating all together (just for a bit). Instead, look for serums containing hyaluronic acid and collagen—most hydrating serums will work here. Make sure your skin is slightly damp before applying. Follow with a simple but rich moisturizer.

If your skin is seriously dehydrated, consider applying a small amount of a restorative healing balm to the skin. Think some sort of multi-use balm like Vaseline. Water-based facial sprays can be great for a quick burst of hydration during the day.

Some non-skincare tips for dealing with dehydrated skin: use a humidifier and drink tons of water.

Okay. So those both sounds kind of similar.

That’s because they are! Let me break this down a different way. Here’s a cute Venn diagram I made of different ingredients and whether they’re best for dry skin, dehydrated skin, or both.

Wow, thanks. That was super helpful. Anything else?

Yup. In both cases, be gentle and kind with your skin. Avoid any harsh exfoliants and rather than trying to slough off the issues, focus on healing them.