Skincare tips & advice
Dry Skin Tips: Is My Skin Dry or Dehydrated?
Whether it's on the face, hands, feet or body, dry skin can appear seasonally or year-round. It's important to understand how to avoid the flaking, itching, burning and discomfort that can happen as a result of dry skin – read on to learn more.
What You Need to Know
Dry skin is a skin type that doesn't produce enough oils to keep your skin moisturized naturally and protect it from the environment, while dehydrated skin simply doesn't have enough water in the uppermost layer of the skin1. Both can lead to rough skin, but there are some differences that can help you understand whether your skin is dry or dehydrated.
Dehydrated & Dry Skin Tips
Dry skin and dehydrated skin may have different root causes, but choosing skincare products containing ceramides to help restore the skin's barrier, hyaluronic acid to help retain the skin’s natural moisture, and niacinamide to help calm the skin can benefit both conditions.
Symptoms of Dry Skin
Dry skin is a skin type that produces less sebum than normal or oily skin. Because of this, it may appear flaky, feel dry all over—from your head to your toes—may be prone to cracking and may be susceptible to sensitivities like eczema1.
How to Tell If Your Skin is Dehydrated
Dehydrated skin is a temporary state of the skin that is caused by losing more water than the body, or in this case, the skin, is taking in. Often, dehydrated skin looks dull, feels tight, and may feel both oily and dry at the same time. It may also come and go depending on activities, the season or even a cosmetic or skincare product.
Dehydrated & Dry Skin Tips
Although dry skin and dehydrated skin are different—each with their own unique needs and concerns—there are some steps you can take to address both conditions. For instance, by choosing hydrating cleansers and moisturizers that include ingredients like ceramides, which help restore the skin's barrier, hyaluronic acid, which helps retain the skin’s natural moisture, and niacinamide, which can help calm the skin, both dry and dehydrated skin can get the care it needs.
For those with dry skin, taking warm, not hot, baths or showers and using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser can help reduce the drying effects of everyday bathing. Afterward, pat the skin dry and immediately apply moisturizer. When dressing, choose clothing made from soft fabrics and add a silk or cotton layer when wearing wool or other rough fabrics. And when washing your clothes, choose a hypoallergenic detergent to help prevent irritating your dry skin.
If you have dehydrated skin, experts recommend avoiding or limiting caffeine and alcohol—and increasing your water intake—which can help prevent the body, and therefore the skin, from becoming dehydrated2.
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist if you need additional help. They can recommend over-the-counter products, prescription solutions, dry skin tips and advice to reduce the occurrence of dehydrated skin so you can achieve skin that's soft, moisturized and comfortable.