Dry vs Dehydrated Skin. What's the difference?
Posted by Gin Bui
One of the most common misconceptions about skin that is dry skin and dehydrated skin. Are you confused about whether you have dry skin or dehydrated skin?
Dehydrated skin often looks and feels like dry skin, but they’re not totally the same. There's a major difference between the two, let's find out the differences with us!
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Simply, dry skin is a genetic skin type, while dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition that anybody can experience, even those with oily skin. Yes, you read it right! Oily and combination easily can get dehydrated skin.
One of the easiest ways to test your skin at home is the pinch test. Just pinch a small amount of your cheek and hold for a few seconds. Then if your skin is wrinkling with gentle pressure and takes a few moments to bounce back, most likely, your skin cells need water, and you're dehydrated.
Here's a quick list of the key characteristics:
1. How to treat Dry skin?
For dry skin, the most important thing is to keep on moisturising. You will need to provide the oil that your skin lacks, therefore, look for moisturising products that are rich in ceramides, shea butter and jojoba oil will help nourish dry skin while strengthening skin barrier.
Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream, is a concentrated and nourishing formula with jojoba oil that is designed to support your skin's natural moisture barrier as it hydrates and assists the skin in repair.
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream EX with the Water Zipper Technology locks in the moisture is also another good option for your dry skin. It is perfect when your dry skin is feeling particularly tight after cleansing. It instantly moisturises the skin and provides deep hydration that lasts all day long.
d'Alba White Truffle Intensive Ampoule can also regularly replace your moisturising step. A concentrated mix of white truffle and caviar gives the skin with a deep moisturising and rich nutrition. It helps reduce signs of ageing like wrinkles or dullness!
We also recommend using a hydrating, alcohol-free toner or mist right after your cleansing or shower. The alcohol and fragrance contained in your cleanser might make your skin feel tight and irritated. Laniege Cream Skin Refiner contained White Leaf Tea Water rich in amino acids that reinforce the skin barrier to make extremely dry skin healthier.
Sheet mask is the instant way to keep dryness at bay in just 15 minutes. Browse and shop our edit of the best Korean sheet masks here.
Top tips from us:
- Use warm rather than hot water, take shorter showers and baths.
- Use only gentle, fragrance-free skincare products.
2. How to treat Dehydrated skin?
Dehydrated skin is lacking water so drinking plenty of water to replenish hydration, and eating water-rich fruits, vegetables like watermelon, cucumber and strawberries. Drink less coffee and other sources of caffeine.
Besides that, we would recommend to hydrate the skin and eliminate dehydration. Invest in ampoule and serum products that are loaded with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe and glycerin that will supply the moisture and bring the plumpness back.
The Cosrx Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule is a viscous moisturising serum that contained three types of Hyaluronic acid to supply deep moisture into the skin and create an invisible protective barrier on the skin.
We also love Banobagi Alpha Radiance Serum, enriched with glacial milk and hyaluronic acid that keep skin moisturised by preventing moisture from evaporating.
Choosing a daily hydrating moisturiser is also vital - but keep in mind that dehydration doesn't mean you have dry skin. Rich and heavy moisturising cream can lead to clogged and congested pores, opt for a water-based gel moisturiser that provides deep hydration and fresh finish like Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream. Infused with 63% of green tea water, this gel-type cream delivers rich hydration to the inner layers of your skin.
When it comes to treating the dehydrated skin, avoid using hard scrubs and invest in a sleeping mask to hydrate skin while you sleep, try Laneige Water Sleeping Mask after your moisturiser and leave it overnight. This refreshing gel mask deeply hydrates the skin during sleep by providing a strong dose of hydration thanks to its hydro-ionized mineral water. Don’t forget to exfoliate skin at least once a week to get rid of flaky dead skin cells.
Our top tip to treat dehydrated skin is to use a hydrating face mist to quench thirsty skin. d'Alba First Spray Mist Serum is infused with avocado oil and white truffle extract will instantly lighten and replenish your skin’s nutrition. It’s also travel-friendly for you to carry in your bag and use anytime, anywhere.