Dry and Dehydrated skin: Learn the difference and ways to fix them

Sneha Biswas | Apr 14, 2020, 16:34 IST
“Dry skin” and “Dehydrated skin” are two different skin conditions that are mistaken to be the same. You will often find these two keywords used in the labels of most skincare products that promise hydration to your skin. Although both might indicate lack of moisture in the skin, the underlying problems differ from each other. Having dehydrated skin doesn’t mean you will experience dryness like people with dry skin. In fact, it is easier to treat dryness of the skin than to replenish water in the dehydrated skin. If all these seem to be more confusing, then read on to find out what’s the basic difference. Understand both of these different skin issues can help you treat it effectively.

Lack of moisture or oil in the skin barrier can cause dry skin. Rather than being just a mere skin condition, dry skin is actually a skin type that isn’t temporary. People with dry skin often suffer from rough, flaky and cracked skin. Dry skin is more prone to showing signs of aging, such as sagging of skin, wrinkles, and larger pores. The real giveaway is the dullness of the skin due to a lack of elasticity.

Unlike dry skin, dehydrated skin that anyone will any skin type might experience. A person will oily skin can also be having a dehydrated skin condition. It is the lack of water in the skin that can cause a dehydrated and unhealthy look. People will dehydrated skin can feel a sudden tightness or pull in the skin with a dull or flat looking appearance.

You can treat dehydrated skin with a gentle skincare product that can retain your skin’s water level. Eating foods rich in water content, such as watermelon, avocado, cucumber can potentially help to plump up your dehydrated skin. One must be too hard with products to treat dehydrated skin as it can further damage the skin barrier. Look for water-based skincare products. Any product containing collagen and hyaluronic acid can also help dehydrated skin.

Although there’s less you can do to “fix” a dry skin type, you can surely improve the appearance of this skin type. Try facial oils, oil-based skin care products and supplements of omega-3 fatty acids to boost your skin. One must avoid foam-based cleanser or any product that can strip off the natural oils of the skin.

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