At first glance, ‘dry’ and ‘dehydrated’ seem like two words to describe the same thing. But when it comes to skincare, they are completely different concerns with different underlying causes. 

There’s a big difference between dry and dehydrated skin, yet both tend to feel the same—just plain dry. However, when your skin feels dry you may actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Dryness refers to a skin type, while dehydration refers to a skin condition.

The difference between dry and dehydrated skin is that dry skin is a type and dehydrated skin is a condition. That means you can have oily, dry, or combination skin, and it can still be temporarily dehydrated.

If you have a dry skin type, it means you’re lacking oil. You were born this way, and you’re dry everywhere else on your body, including hands, scalp, and legs. When you put on moisturizers and lotions, chances are they soak up fairly quickly.

If you have a dehydrated skin condition, your skin is lacking water. This can be caused by a number of factors including makeup, diet, incorrect product use, or even weather.

To explain whether skin is dehydrated or dry, FarmaOn has created the helpful infographic below.

How to treat dry and dehydrated skin?

Keeping your body hydrated with lots of water is always a good place to start when dealing with both dry and dehydrated skin. Once you determine what you’re dealing with, update your skincare routine with the products you need.

If you think your skin is dehydrated, try to identify what’s dehydrating you and correct it. It could be your lifestyle or your environment. If your skin is dehydrated, you need to actively add water back into the skin. Look for a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, which retains an impressive 1,000 times its weight in water — and will add a healthy dose of hydration back into the skin.

Dehydrated skin is temporary and can be relieved with the following tips to hydrate your skin. 

Wash with a gentle cleanser.

The best way to cleanse dehydrated skin is with a gentle foaming cleanser and lukewarm water to wash away impurities, hydrate skin and leave no residue. Choose cleansers that are free of harsh chemical additives and artificial fragrances that can strip the skin of beneficial moisture and aggravate sensitivities.

Follow with a hyaluronic acid serum.

Hyaluronic acid is extremely effective in replenishing dehydrated skin. This superstar ingredient works as a magnet for moisture, helping your cells retain as much of it as possible so that your skin feels and appears hydrated, plump and healthy. Before applying a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, make sure your skin is slightly damp, and because water evaporates quickly, follow the serum with a moisturizer to create a seal.

Finish with an anti-aging face moisturizer.

Use an anti-aging face moisturizer after your hyaluronic acid to not only seal in the hydrating benefits from the HA, but protect your skin against the drying effects of environmental stressors. A facial essence is also a great option, packed with deeply hydrating and antioxidant-rich ingredients that work wonders for dehydrated skin.

If your skin is naturally dry year-round and tends to flake or peel, chances are, it’s not weather-related dehydration that’s causing your dryness — your skin just has a hard time retaining moisture.

For that, you’ll need to moisturize to create a protective seal on the surface to lock in moisture. A thick, emollient moisturizer will help prevent water from leaving your skin — and, with the right formula, will provide the nutrients and nourishment your complexion needs to thrive all winter long.

The following  skincare tips can help you beat dry skin:

Avoid using hot water 
Hot water is definitely not a friend to dry skin as it breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, decreasing moisture even further.

Moisturize
After every shower or face wash, apply a nourishing face cream or oil to your dry skin as it traps existing moisture in your skin.

Exfoliate
Use a light exfoliating scrub once a week to get rid of the top layer of dead skin cells and expose newer healthier-looking skin.

Drink lots of water
You should try to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day to properly hydrate your skin.

Use Lip Balm
Dry, chapped lips can be itchy and painful. A thick, emollient lip balm made from moisture-locking ingredients will protect and soothe your lips.