Though dry and dehydrated may sound similar, they are very different from each other!
These are oft-used terms for skin problems. To check if we have any of these — or even both — it is vital to first understand the difference between dry and dehydrated skin. By definition, the former means a skin condition marked by itchiness and flaky skin that has cracks . The latter is when your skin is deprived of water (lack of hydration).
Let's take a good look at each of them.
Content Index
- What is the meaning of dry skin?
- Dehydrated skin - What is it all about
- Dry vs dehydrated skin
- Skintelligent way of dealing with dry & dehydrated skin
Do You Struggle With Dry Skin?
Dry skin can be caused due to the lack of some essential oils.
SYMPTOMS : These include
- flakiness
- excessive itchiness
- infections
- skin burns or stings
- peeling skin
So what causes dry skin?
Mainly, with age our skin becomes drier . This is why people are advised to moisturize their skin on a daily basis!
It can also be due to vitamin deficiency or some chronic illness like thyroid or diabetes. Other factors include hormonal imbalance, excessive bathing or even malnutrition. Seasonal dryness can be attributed to the dry winter season that accounts for the flaky, white texture on our skin which itches terribly! So, being extra caring to our skin is a must .
While dry skin patches can appear anywhere, it is usually seen on elbows, face, eyelids, feet and knees.
Now that we know what dry skin is, let's see how to treat it.
If Yes, Here’s How You Can Treat It
MOISTURIZE *2 TIMES A DAY !!
The main enemy of dry skin is a moisturizer. With continuous use of moisturizers, we can beat dry skin to get a smooth and even skin tone that locks moisture.
Pro tip: Moisturize right after bathing, or washing your face as it locks moisture quickly.
CREAMS AND OINTMENTS TO THE RESCUE
Lotions can be irritating for some skin types. In such cases, creams or ointments for dry skin can be a good replacement.They are less reactive and better for sensitive skin. The best part about creams is that they yield even better results.
Shea Butter, glycerin and petroleum are good examples.
CLEANSERS THAT DO NOT SMELL
Many cleansers remove dirt particles , dust and other stuff from our skin, which cannot be removed with just water. This is because cleansers contain powerful hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Smple changes that can be incorporated in daily life to curb dry skin problems include:
- Using warm water instead of hot water
- Limiting shower time
- Applying fragrance free cleansers.
If Not Dry, Maybe Your Skin is Dehydrated
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition that occurs due to lack of WATER in our body. This can happen to anyone, regardless of age or skin type . A person with oily or even combination skin may experience dehydration.
SYMPTOMS may be
- Dullness
- Dark circles
- Increase in wrinkles and fine lines
PATCH TEST FOR DEHYDRATION
To check whether your skin may be dehydrated, a simple patch test can be done at home. All you have to do is pinch your skin or cheek portion and if it snaps back within say 3 seconds, your skin is hydrated. If not, it lacks elasticity, and may be dehydrated.
And Here’s How You Treat Dehydrated Skin
WATER, THE ULTIMATE MEDICINE
‘DRINK WATER’ cannot be overemphasized enough.! A lot of us do not follow this, leading to dehydrating skin conditions, which could have been simply fixed by drinking water.
Make it a habit to drink water (at least 3-4 liters per day), whether or not you are thirsty. There are many free apps for reminding and tracking your water consumption at the touch of a button .
Additionally, drinking electrolytes can also provide the required water to hydrate your body .
DON'T SKIP SLEEP
All the dullness on the face and dark circles under your eyes are directly proportional to your lack of sleep. Sleeping is the main treatment for your skin as it reduces stress , gives your body rest and, most importantly, rejuvenates the skin cells to look fresh . So do not, I repeat , do not skip your precious nap and sleep time!
EAT MORE PLANT-BASED FOODS
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals, with their water content. This hydrates and replenishes your skin. Next time, try adding veggies and salads to your meals.
Now that we have an overall idea of dry and dehydrated skin , let's look at the differences between the two.
Dry or Dehydrated. Is There Really A Difference?
DEHYDRATED SKIN VS DRY SKIN
- Dry skin = lack of essential oils on our skin
- Dehydration = lack of water content in our body
Dry skin is usually a mild skin problem that occurs externally. It can be treated through proper skin care routine (application of moisturers) . On the other hand, dehydrated skin is caused due to lack of water in the body, and has more to do with internal changes in the body. Apart from skin care routines, creating a lifestyle change is important.
Dehydrated skin also shows premature signs of aging — wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity. The treatment for dry skin and dehydrated skin is DIFFERENT.
The question of dehydrated vs dry skin arises because both have similar symptoms. The key difference, however, is that dehydrated skin occurs mainly due to loss of water. Dry skin arises due to various reasons — lack of oil, external environment, seasonal changes, etc.
Confused about choosing the right skin care products for your dry skin? Let me show you some of them which are skintelligent !
Deep Hydration Serum for Dry Skin with Licorice Root & Turmeric
To treat:
- Lactic Acid helps your skin to stay elastic, smooth and more flexible
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence:
- Squalene reduces the appearance of fine lines
- Turmeric acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
Deep Hydrating Face Cleanser Proven to Fight Dry Skin with Lactic Acid & Alpha Arbutin
To treat:
- Lactic acid is a natural AHA, which helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence:
- Arginine PCA captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long
- Alpha-Arbutin brightens the skin tone and heals skin damage
Deep Hydrating Body Lotion Proven to Fight Dry Skin with Wheat Germ & Almond Oil
To treat:
- Kojic acid treats skin conditions, such as sun damage, scars, and age spots
- Almond oil preserves the skin’s natural moisture
To prevent recurrence:
- Wheat germ oil helps in building collagen
- Honey corrects the skin tone and brightens the skin
All these products are cruelty-free organic products that are very safe even for sensitive to dry skin!
Happy skin shopping!