When your skin feels dry, you may naturally assume that it is dry. But it might just be dehydrated and in need of water. What does that really mean? I’ll explain.
First, there's skin type and there’s skin condition. Your type is what you're naturally born with, such as oily or dry skin. Your condition, however, is something that can cause you to experience other problems like acne and irritation. It can happen to anyone, temporarily or longer, and in some instances, a skin condition can stay for good.
If you have a dry skin type, it means you’re lacking oil - you’re dry everywhere else on your body including hands, scalp, legs, etc. When you put on moisturisers and lotions, chances are they soak up fairly quickly. If this sounds like you, be sure to use products that contain oils - or cream-based products daily. TOP TIP - look out for non comedogenic ingredients! One of my favourite oils of all time is Seabuckthorn! You may also want to keep a hand treatment for dry skin with you at all times - especially now half way through a pandemic when we are using hand sanitiser more than ever.
If you have a dehydrated skin condition, your skin is lacking water. This can be caused by lots of factors such as makeup, diet, incorrect product use, weather; it goes on. But here’s where it gets tricky: When skin is dehydrated, it creates more oil to make up for the missing water. This can cause breakouts, irritation and dry patches.
Skin can even feel oily and dry at the same time. Sound familiar? Try to identify what's dehydrating you and correct it. Use products like IS Clinical Hydracool and IS Clinical Moisturising Complex to help balance your skin as needed.
Bonus Tip: While we’re on the topic of water, it helps to know that skin is the last organ to receive the nutrients we consume, which means it’s the last to get the water you sip. It isn’t quite enough though, making topical products a must for skin that feels comfortably hydrated.
Dry skin is characterized by fewer oil-producing glands on the face and body. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a lack of water, not oil.
So you can actually have an oily complexion but still have dehydrated skin.
Most of us understand the negative impacts of dehydration on our overall health, but who knew it had the potential to wreak such visible havoc on our faces?
A good test, is to pinch your cheek. If it's wrinkling with gentle pressure instead of holding its shape, your skin cells are desperate for water. Dehydrated skin will feel tight, look dull in the mirror, and you may notice more exaggerated wrinkles, or ones in places you don't remember having them, along with more exaggerated dark circles beneath your eyes. Common signs of dehydrated skin include redness, congestion, and inflammation.
Dry skin, on the other hand, tends to be uncomfortable, flaky, and itchy. The worst areas are typically near the eyebrows and around the corners of the nose and mouth. On the body, common trouble areas include the neck, the inside of the arms, and the thighs
Ways To Combat Dry And Dehydrated Skin
Drink plenty of water and incorporate high water content fruits & veggies
Invest in a humidifier - I have this humidifier and it works wonders to filter the air. These are the essential oils I use also, they are divine!!
Pay attention to the seasons and switch up your skincare
Use the right moisturiser! We can personally advise you on this through our thorough consultation process