Dry skin or dehydrated skin? How to tell the difference.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin type. It means your skin naturally produces less sebum than average. Sebum is an important part of the skin’s natural protective barrier and helps to hold moisture in. When the skin produces less sebum, it is less able to protect itself against moisture loss. As a result, the skin often feels dry all year round, whatever the season. Many people with dry skin recognise a feeling of tightness, rough patches, flakiness and skin that reacts sensitively to changes in the weather.

Signs of dry skin include:
– A feeling of tightness
– Flakiness or dry patches
– A dull appearance
– Few visible pores
– Sensitivity to cold and wind

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is not a skin type but a skin condition. Any skin can become dehydrated, including combination or oily skin. Dehydrated skin is mainly short of water in the upper layers of the skin. This can leave the skin feeling less supple and can make fine lines of dryness more visible. Interestingly, dehydrated skin can feel oily at the same time. The skin tries to make up for the lack of moisture by producing more sebum. As a result, many people think they have oily skin when they are actually short of moisture.

Dehydrated skin can often be recognised by:

– A feeling of tightness after cleansing
– Fine lines that temporarily become more visible
– A tired-looking complexion
– Shine and dryness at the same time
– Skin that behaves differently from season to season

Can you have both dry and dehydrated skin at the same time?

Yes, this is fairly common. Dry skin naturally has fewer lipids available. When that same skin is also short of moisture, the two concerns can reinforce one another.
The skin then feels not only dry but also less supple and more easily sensitised. Redness, flakiness and a weakened skin barrier are also more common when skin lacks both moisture and lipids. In this situation it is important not only to hydrate but also to support the protective skin barrier with nourishing ingredients.

Age and hormones affect your skin

Many women notice that their skin changes over the years. This is not surprising. As we grow older, natural sebum production declines and the skin holds on to moisture less well. This makes dry skin more likely and can make existing concerns more noticeable. Hormonal changes also play an important part. During the menopause, the balance of moisture, lipids and collagen in the skin shifts. As a result, skin that felt comfortable for years can suddenly become drier, more sensitive or tighter. You can read more about this in how your skin changes during the menopause.

Which skincare suits dry skin?

Dry skin mainly needs nourishment and protection. Products that support the skin barrier help to limit moisture loss and leave the skin feeling more comfortable. Ingredients such as ceramides, nourishing oils and rich creams are therefore often used for dry skin.

Which skincare suits dehydrated skin?

For dehydrated skin, the emphasis is on hydration. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine and niacinamide help to attract moisture and hold it in the skin.
That does not mean dehydrated skin has no need for a cream. It is the combination of hydrating and protecting that often gives the best result. Many people find their skin feels more comfortable when they pair a hydrating serum with a nourishing cream. Within a routine for dehydrated skin, hydrating serums are therefore often a logical first step.

When a treatment can help

Sometimes, despite a good routine at home, the skin still feels dry, tight or out of balance. It can then be worthwhile to give the skin extra support with professional face treatments. For skin that needs extra hydration and nourishment, Natura Bissé Diamond Energy, for example, can help to care for the skin more intensively. During a treatment, the condition of the skin as a whole is also assessed, so that the advice better matches what your skin needs.

Frequently asked questions about dry and dehydrated skin

Can oily skin also be dehydrated?
Yes. Skin can produce plenty of sebum and still be short of moisture. This means it can look shiny and feel tight at the same time.

Are fine lines of dryness the same as wrinkles?
No. Fine lines of dryness are often caused by a lack of moisture and can become less visible once the skin is better hydrated.

Which ingredients help with dehydrated skin?
Hyaluronic acid, glycerine and niacinamide are often used to hold moisture in the skin and support the skin barrier.

How can I be sure I have dry skin?
Dry skin is usually a lasting skin type, where the skin consistently produces less sebum and regularly feels dry or tight.