What is the difference between a dry vs dehydrated skin?

What is dehydrated skin?

Our skin is at constant risk of dehydration and as a skin specialist, I rarely see a skin without some level of dehydration. Our skin needs consistent hydration levels to function effectively and remain in good health but what do I mean by dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is lacking water, every skin type can and will experience dehydration at some point and often remain dehydrated if not treated correctly. Oily, breakout prone skin can be dehydrated and what often happens is the sebaceous (oil ) glands produce more oil to compensate for the lack of water, therefor making the skin even oilier! Dehydrated skin will feel tight, rough to touch, you could have visible flakiness with fine, crepe lines. Sensitivity, burning ans stinging sensations are very common with dehydration, this is because the barrier function of the skin is impaired.

Whereas a dry skin is lacking lipids and oils. A dry skin is a skin type which is genetic and something you born with, so the skin on your face and entire body will be dry. Dry skins can be maintained with moisturisers and regular facials, but we can’t change a skin type! a dehydrated skin is a skin condition that can effect any skin type and can be changed.

What causes dehydration?

loss of hydration in the skin comes from many factors, including:

• Alkaline cleansers that strip the skin of it’s natural moisture

• incorrect product use such as over-exfoliating, over cleansing or not properly moisturising the skin. Skin feels rough, looks flaky and can be sensitised.

• Climate, a lack of environmental moisture, typically a dry climate with low humidity. Central heating, air conditioning can all sap moisture from the skin.

• Certain medications, diet or low water intake can cause dehydration.

• Natural skin ageing process, as we age our skin looses natural lipids which are essential for skin hydration.

How do you hydrate your skin?

Follow a good skin care routine, hydrate with serums and moisturisers that contain ingredients like: Hyaluronic acid - can hold 1000x its weight in water and hydrates in the deep layers of the skin, Algae extract and hydrolysed rice protein - prevent trans epidermal water loss on the surface of the skin, and Lactobacillus ferment - helps to balance the skin’s microbiome.

Have regular skin treatments to maintain skin health, follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.

The best facials for dehydrated skin

Pro Bright and Pro Nanoneedling which you can book by clicking on the treatment menu.