Dryness & Dehydration

SKIN DRYNESS AND DEHYDRATION

Dry skin and dehydrated skin might sound the same, but they are different concerns that require different approaches to soothe, nourish and hydrate. Here’s why.

WHAT CAUSES DRY AND DEHYDRATED SKIN AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often thought to be the same thing, but they’re actually two separate skin concerns. To put it simply, dry skin is a skin type (like oily or combination skin) while dehydrated skin is a condition.

Just as the sebaceous glands are responsible for oily skin, these tiny organs also wear the blame for dry skin. This time, instead of producing too much natural oils, the glands are underactive. Skin may be tight, flaky and itchy as a result and more prone to visible signs of ageing.

On the other hand, dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water, not oil, which means people with oily skin types can also experience the phenomenon. Affected skin usually has a red, inflamed and congested appearance.

KEY INGREDIENTS TO REDUCE DRYNESS AND DEHYDRATION

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an excellent moisture source for both dry and dehydrated skin. Each molecule can hold about 1,000 times its weight in water, so while your body naturally produces HA, supplementing this with serum is a powerful tool for rehydration.

Ceramides are another recommended skincare ingredient to look for when treating dry or dehydrated skin. These fatty acids make up almost 50% of the skin’s outer layer and help to form a protective barrier that locks in moisture, keeping skin hydrated.

HOW TO REHYDRATE YOUR DRY SKIN

Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping to treat dehydrated skin. Caffeine is a diuretic which means it dries out your skin from the inside, so drinking less coffee and more water is a good start. A gentle exfoliant will help to refresh the skin's surface and remove any dead skin cells so that moisturisers can more effectively penetrate skin.

Dry skin may take a little extra TLC to manage, and can’t usually be fixed with lifestyle changes (though drinking more water is always a good idea). Invest in a good hydration masque to treat your skin each week and don’t be tempted by excessively rich or oily moisturisers as they may cause breakouts.

Choose products that are scientifically formulated for dry skin, including a gentle cleanser that will not strip skin of natural oils, and a daily sunscreen.