After being in the business for over twenty years, one of the biggest misconceptions is that dry skin and dehydrated skin are the same thing. They are not. The implication of this misunderstanding is that we often treat the skin with products and treatments that are not giving our skin what it actually needs and wants. The statistics show that about 98% of us at some point suffer from skin dehydration another statistic shows that by around the 55 years, most people have some form of dry skin. This blog will describe the difference between the two issues, how to self-diagnose your own skin while also offering some useful tips on how to help both skin dryness and dehydration.
WHY IS DEHYDRATED SKIN DIFFERENT FROM DRY SKIN?
Although dehydrated skin and dry skin can feel the same, the root causes of both issues do not stem from the same problem. The top layer of our skin has a protective barrier on its surface called the hydrolipidic film which is made up of sweat, water, and oil (sebum and other lipids). We need a healthy balance of both water and oil to keep the skin’s PH level balanced, to ensure the skin is protected from microbes and to keep it moisturised and soft.
Dry skin is a skin type.
A skin type is determined mostly by genetics, ethnicity, and hormones and defined by the amount of oil that the skin naturally makes which creates the size of your pores and the texture of your skin. While we cannot change/treat a skin type, we can find solutions to BALANCE each type to keep the skin healthy in appearance and function.
Dry skin is a skin type whereby the skin’s sebaceous glands do not produce much natural oil.
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition.
A skin condition can come and go as it is the result of the skin’s reactive behaviors to changeable external factors like weather, pollution, and misuse of skincare products. Internal factors can also bring on a skin condition from hormones, stress, and our diet etc. Any skin type can have skin dehydration on the top layer of the skin.
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition whereby the skin lacks a right amount of water content it needs.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRY SKIN
Dry skin is characterised by:
- A dull, matte, non-shiny skin surface
- Thinner looking skin
- The presence of potential broken capillaries
- Early onset of fine lines and wrinkles
- Small pores that are often invisible on the t-zone and cheek area
- Possible rough patches and flakiness.
- Increased sensitivity to environmental and internal stimulation.
- Can sometimes feel painful and tender
How do you effectively treat dry skin?
- Gently cleanse the skin with non-detergent anti-foaming formulas.
Product recommendation: Erda Daily Glow Toning Cleanser is a gentle aloe-based antibacterial gel that balances your PH level without stripping natural oils while protecting the skin with antioxidant botanicals and boosting radiance with uplifting cinnamon.
- Use a deeply moisturising and repairing premium serum to encourage ceramide, lipid, and moisture retention.
Product recommendation: God’s Nectar Ceramide Renewal Oil contains an active complex of biocompatible Ceramides and Hemp oil to repair and regenerate the skin’s fragile barrier. The results are the appearance of a more youthful-looking skin buoyancy, greater skin suppleness, a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and skin-drying irritation relief for perfect skin comfort.
- Replenish the hydrolipidic barrier with a rich daily barrier moisturizer.
Product recommendation: Erda Rich & Hydrating Day Cream is an exceptional moisturiser that deeply nourishes and calms the skin, providing extended all-day hydration. It also supremely protects against daily aggressors with Green Tea Leaf extract, Pomegranate plus Vitamins E and A.
- Calm sensitivity and restore dryness with a soothing and repairing night cream.
Product recommendation: Erda Soothing & Reviving Night Cream is a skin restorative masterpiece that naturally heals, nourishes, and recharges the skin with a luxurious infusion of lipids, proteins, and vitamins, plus a blend of calming essential oils to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEHYDRATED SKIN
Dehydrated skin is characterised by:
- Scaly looking skin
- superficial dry lines, and premature aging.
- Skin itchiness
- A tight, taut feeling
- Darker under-eye circles, or tired eye appearance
How do you effectively treat dehydrated skin?
- Remove dead skin cells with manual or chemical exfoliants to encourage production of fresh new cells.
Product recommendation: Manuka Honey Peel: is a gentle yet effective gommage exfoliant peel that delivers 10 skin benefits in 10 seconds by way of its unique two-way exfoliating system and remarkable cocktail of hydrating natural ingredients like high-grade Manuka Honey renowned for a multitude of incredible instant skin benefits.
- Infuse moisture back into the keratin layer with a hydrating serum.
Product Recommendation: Erda Firming Serum is enriched with humectants, antioxidants and vitamins that feed the skin with the defensive and hydration essentials it needs for protection against the harsh external environment. This sophisticated all-rounder treatment firms, hydrates, and protects the skin thanks to its impressive natural ingredient profile of Honey, Hyaluronic Acid, Avocado, Gutu Kola, and French Marigold.
- Maintain skin surface moisture retention by using a continuous water-binding moisturiser.
Product recommendation: Oz Fraiche Copper PCA Revitalising Cream is jam-packed with all that your skin needs, for a comfortable, plump, and healthy complexion. It wonderfully soothes, protects, and plumps the skin for ultimate skin comfort. Irritated and dehydrated skin are treated with quenching hydrators like Hyaluronic Acid, Pentavitin, Copper PCA (that gives this cream gel its heavenly aqua hue too) and quality organic extracts like Chamomile and Rose water.
- Use a hydrating face mist regularly during the day to restore hydration and comfort to the skin.
Product Recommendation: Pollution Shield Hydrating Mist is an instant skin hydrator, refresher, and soother, used on-the-go, can also be used before or over makeup for all-day freshness. Featuring a unique anti-pollution shield defense mechanism, nasty pollution and chemicals are prevented from damaging your skin. An infusion of organic extracts and a healthy dose of Hyaluronic acid also make for a plump, comfortable and healthy-looking complexion.
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Rehydrate the eye area to prevent dry lines and dark circles.
Product Recommendation: Erda Eye Gel Concentrate: is a natural miracle one-step eye treatment that targets puffiness, dark circles, and crow’s feet with Aloe Vera Juice, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Cucumber Extract.
- Replenish the skin by drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily.
How to self-diagnose skin dehydration: The pinch test.
Cleanse hands. Lightly plump cheek with side of index finger. Look for fine criss-cross lines indicating dehydration.
So, to wrap up, dry skin and dehydration are different skin issues. Dry skin is due to a lack of oil in the skin and dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin. Dry skin is a constant that needs daily replenishment of oils and lipids, and dehydrated skin can occur at any time with any skin type, caused by internal and external influences that strip water from the skin.
We hope you have found this article helpful! Subscribe to receive more skin physiology information to stay aware for beautiful and healthy skin all day, every day.
Love, The Origani Team xo
