Wondering if your skin is dehydrated or dry? While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different conditions that require distinct solutions. In this article, we'll explore the differences between dehydrated and dry skin, and provide tips on how to determine which one you're dealing with and how to properly care for your skin.
Dehydrated vs. Dry Skin
Let’s begin with a breakdown of these two conditions:
Dehydrated Skin- Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the skin lacks moisture in the outermost layer, also known as the stratum corneum. Your skin can become dehydrated due to a lack of water as well as a weakened skin barrier, which speeds up moisture evaporation. Dry Skin- A skin type caused by several factors including genetics, hormonal fluctuations, over-cleansing, and environmental factors, dry skin lacks an adequate amount of sebum (oil). Rich moisturizers and facial oils can help re-equilibrate the skin and repair a compromised skin barrier.
In summary, dehydration is a condition where the skin lacks water. Dryness is a skin type where the skin lacks oil.
It’s possible for the skin to be both dehydrated and dry – lacking water and oil.
Causes of Dehydrated Skin
Causes of skin dehydration include:
Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental factors such as sun, wind, and cold weather can dry out the skin, leading to moisture loss and dehydration. Air-conditioned and heated indoor environments with low humidity levels can also affect skin hydration levels.
Hot Water: Washing your face or body with hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, making it dehydrated. Hot water can also cause inflammation, which can lead to skin sensitivity and irritation.
Harsh Topicals: Skincare products with harsh ingredients can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dehydration. Strong topicals can also disrupt the skin's natural barrier, making it more prone to damage from external factors. We, therefore, recommend steering clear of products with a high percentage of retinoids, harsh exfoliants, and alcohol.
Aging: As we age, our skin naturally loses moisture, which can lead to dehydration. There's a hormonal component here as well. For example, menopause can cause a decrease in hydration. This loss of moisture can be accompanied by the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Diet: A diet that’s low in water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can contribute to skin dehydration. Consuming high amounts of caffeine and alcohol can also lead to dehydration by increasing the amount of water excreted from the body.
Medical Conditions: Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea can cause dehydration by disrupting the skin's natural barrier and reducing its ability to retain moisture. These conditions can also cause inflammation.
4 Signs Your Skin is Dehydrated
Common signs of skin dehydration include:
Roughness: Skin that feels tight and rough or looks flaky, scaly, and cracked is dehydrated.
Dullness: When the skin is properly hydrated, it appears plump and radiant. In contrast, dehydrated skin looks dull and lackluster. You may also notice the appearance of dark circles around the eye area.
Irritation: Skin can become itchy and irritated when it's dehydrated. This is because the natural oils in the skin are depleted, leaving the skin vulnerable to external irritants.
Sensitivity: Dehydrated skin is prone to increased sensitivity to environmental factors including sun exposure, wind, and extreme temperatures. This can lead to redness, inflammation, and even rashes.
How to Treat Dehydrated Skin
The following lifestyle adjustments can help treat dehydrated skin:
Drink Plenty of Water: Did you know that at least 64% of your skin is water? The best thing you can do to increase skin hydration is to drink more H20. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (the 8 x 8 rule) to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
Use an Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer: Dehydrated skin craves moisturizing ingredients. Look for a moisturizer that contains humectants, as these ingredients help attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Engineered to enhance your custom Revea Serum, our antioxidant and humectant-rich restoring moisturizer helps repair your skin’s delicate barrier. Plus, you can choose your preferred formula from 4 different textures: an aqueous gel with a mattifying effect, a gel cream, a unique water-in-oil, and a rich cream.
Avoid Harsh Topicals: Harsh ingredients and skincare products can strip the skin of its natural oils, disrupt the skin's natural barrier, and cause irritation, inflammation, and dehydration. Here’s a complete list of ingredients we recommend avoiding.
Use a Humidifier: If you live in a dry climate or spend a lot of time in air-conditioned or heated spaces, a humidifier can help to add moisture to the air and prevent your skin from drying out.
Limit Hot Showers: Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and dehydration. Instead, use lukewarm water when you shower or bathe.
Eat a Balanced Diet: Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables can provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay hydrated and healthy. Foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries are especially hydrating.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ daily, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding spending too much time in direct sunlight protects your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays and prevents dehydration.
How Long Does it Take to See an Improvement in Skin Hydration?
The amount of time it takes to treat dehydrated skin can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual's skin type. In general, with the right treatment and a consistent skincare routine, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to see an improvement in your skin's hydration levels.
For mild cases of dehydrated skin, it may only take a few days of consistent moisturizing and drinking plenty of water to see a significant improvement. However, more severe cases of dehydrated skin may take several weeks of consistent treatment to see an improvement in hydration levels.
It's important to give your skin time to heal and regenerate. This means being consistent with your skincare routine and allowing time for the skin to adjust and repair itself.
If your skin is persistently dehydrated, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, and you should consult a board-certified dermatologist.
Revea Skin Tracking
The root cause of skin dehydration varies from individual to individual. At Revea, our precision AI technology accounts for the fact that there isn’t a singular solution – everyone's skin is unique.
With your Revea precision facial scan, we’ll break down your skin hydration levels into 4 hydration health parameters. Our patented technology then determines your hydration score and provides an action plan that addresses your custom hydration needs.
Take our free skin assessment today!
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