The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is rarely known

When skin looks dry and dull, the cause is not necessarily due to insufficient oil production. Your skin may be dehydrated, and this condition is different from dry skin in general. Knowing the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is very important, because it helps determine how to deal with it.

Different from dry and dehydrated skin

Launch page UW Health, dehydrated skin can happen to anyone. Likewise in people who have oily skin. Moisturizer which only moisturizes the surface of the skin is certainly not enough to deal with dehydrated skin that lacks water.

In order for skin care to be more effective, here are the differences between dry skin and dehydrated skin that you need to know:

1. Causes

Dry skin is caused by reduced production of natural oils from the hair follicles. This condition is genetic, but people aged 40 years and over can also experience it because oil production will decrease with age.

Dehydrated skin is caused by a variety of factors. The most common cause is not drinking enough water. However, your skin can become dehydrated due to hot or cold temperatures, lack of sleep, lack of humidity, and sun exposure.

2. Symptoms

Another difference from dry and dehydrated skin is in their characteristics. Dry skin tends to be wrinkled and slightly wrinkled. The skin is usually itchy, reddish, and there is a white, dead layer of skin that you can see on the elbows.

Meanwhile, dehydrated skin feels firmer and less supple. You can also see the pores of the skin clearly with a dry, rough, scaly texture, and easily form skin flakes.

3. Material suitable for skin

Skin moisturizing products come with a variety of ingredients with their own uses. Hyaluronic acid and ceramide for example, it can be used to treat dry or dehydrated skin. However, not all ingredients are suitable for both.

This difference helps determine how you deal with dry and dehydrated skin. As a reference, here are some ingredients in moisturizers that are suitable for each skin type:

Dry skin: seed or nut oils (coconut, almond, hemp), plant oils (jojoba, rose, tea tree), lanolin, and shea butter.
Dehydrated skin: glycerin, honey, aloe vera, lactic acid, citric acid, and snail mucus.

Is your skin hydrated?

The easiest way to spot the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is with the pinch test. This test may not give absolute results, but it is useful enough to show general signs.

The steps are as follows:

Pinch a little part of the cheek, stomach, chest, or back of the hand. Hold for a few seconds.
If your skin returns to its original shape quickly, it means your skin is not dehydrated.
If the new skin returns after a few seconds, it means your skin is dehydrated.
Repeat on other areas as desired.

The skin can become dehydrated, as can the rest of your body. Unfortunately, sometimes many people misunderstand the difference between dry skin and dehydration, so it's also wrong to treat it.

In order to prevent dehydration, get enough water and protect your skin from a variety of things that can reduce moisture. Use it anyway moisturizer to protect the skin surface and humidifier to keep the air around you moist.