Are dry skin and dehydrated skin the same thing? The answer is no. They are two completely different things and are treated in different ways. Learn all about the differences in this post.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is a skin type in which the skin lacks sebum, while dehydrated skin is a (temporary) skin condition in which the skin lacks 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 manifest 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, white flakes, flaky skin, rough skin | x | irritated and red skin, a tendency toward problem skin such as eczema, itching, psoriasis, dermatitis, a tight feeling especially after showering, bathing or swimming, both small superficial and larger, deeper cracks in the skin that can bleed, and dull skin.
Find out whether your skin is dehydrated
If you do not see clear signs of either of the different skin phenomena, you can perform a simple pinch test. Here is how:
- Pinch the skin for a few seconds
- Let go
- If the skin quickly returns to its original shape and smooths out immediately, your skin is probably not dehydrated.
- If the skin returns slowly or takes a while to regain its original, smooth shape, your skin is likely dehydrated.
Which ingredients help with dry skin versus dehydrated skin?
Dryness and dehydration are treated in different ways. If you have used products that have not helped, it may be because you have treated your skin with the wrong types of products. Here is a list of ingredients you need depending on whether your skin is dry or dehydrated.
Suitable for dehydrated skin: Aloe vera, glycerin, honey, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, seaweed, algae, water, hydrosols.
Suitable for dry skin: Hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, rich oils such as nut oils, avocado oil, shea butter, mango butter, lanolin, and waxes such as beeswax.
What foods help with dry versus dehydrated skin?
When skincare products do not help all the way, you need to eat and drink properly for your skin to regain balance. Here is a list of foods and drinks you need more of depending on whether your skin is dehydrated or dry.
Suitable for dehydrated skin: Water, fresh fruit and vegetables, water-rich foods such as watermelon, celery and cucumber.
Suitable for dry skin: Omega-3-rich foods such as avocado, seeds, nuts, fish and shellfish, as well as healthy fatty acids (e.g. olive oil).
