Is dry skin the same as dehydrated skin? The answer is no. They are two completely different conditions and are treated differently. Learn all about the differences in this post.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is a skin type where the skin lacks sebum (oil), while dehydrated skin is a (temporary) skin condition where the skin suffers from a lack of water and moisture.
You can have both dry and dehydrated skin. If dehydration is not treated, you may eventually develop dry skin as a symptom.
Read more about dry skin and dehydrated skin.
Different signs of dry and dehydrated skin
Dryness and dehydration show in different ways, although there are a few similarities:
Dehydrated skin can cause fine lines, superficial wrinkles, dull and lifeless skin, uneven skin tone, itching, dark circles, tired sunken eyes, dry lips
Dry skin can cause dry and white flakes, flaky skin, rough skin | x | irritated and red skin, tendency to skin problems like eczema, itching, psoriasis, dermatitis, tight feeling especially after showering, bathing or swimming, both small superficial and larger deeper skin cracks that can bleed, and dull skin.
Find out if your skin is dehydrated
If you don’t see clear signs of any of the different skin conditions, you can do a simple pinch test. Here’s how:
- Pinch the skin together for a few seconds
- Release
- If the skin quickly returns and smooths out immediately, your skin is probably not dehydrated.
- If the skin slowly or takes a while to return to its original, smooth form, then your skin is likely dehydrated.
Which ingredients help with dry skin versus dehydrated skin?
Dryness and dehydration are treated differently. If you have used products that didn’t help, it may be because you treated your skin with the wrong kind of products. Here is a list of ingredients you need depending on whether your skin is dry or dehydrated.
For dehydrated skin, suitable ingredients are: Aloe vera, Glycerin, Honey, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid, Seaweed, algae, Water, hydrolates.
For dry skin, suitable ingredients are: Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid, Rich oils like nut oils, avocado oil, Shea butter, Mango butter, Lanolin, Waxes like beeswax.
What foods help with dry versus dehydrated skin
When skincare products alone are not enough, you need to eat and drink right to bring your skin into balance. Here is a list of foods and drinks you need more of depending on whether you have dehydrated or dry skin.
For dehydrated skin, suitable foods are: Water, fresh fruits and vegetables, water-rich foods like watermelon, celery, and cucumber.
For dry skin, suitable foods are: Omega-3 rich foods like avocado, seeds, nuts, fish and shellfish, as well as healthy fatty acids (e.g., olive oil).
