Dehydrated vs. Dry Skin: What’s the Difference?

Article Overview

Dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin, leading to a dull appearance and visible signs of aging. Dry skin, on the other hand, is a skin type characterized by insufficient production of sebum and lipids
To improve dehydrated and dry skin, it is important to restore moisture balance and reinforce the skin's barrier.
Strengthening the skin's barrier with ingredients like ceramides is essential for both dehydrated and dry skin, helping to increase hydration levels and minimize irritation and sensitivity.
Hydrating B5 Gel and Hydrating B5 Masque are recommended products for dehydrated skin. They contain hyaluronic acid to attract moisture and vitamin B5 to strengthen the skin's barrier.
Gentle Cleanser, C E Ferulic, and Resveratrol B E are recommended products for dry skin. The cleanser effectively removes impurities, while C E Ferulic provides environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines. Resveratrol B E fights free-radical damage and enhances skin radiance.

Many people mistakenly believe that dehydrated and dry skin are the same. This is a common assumption because the symptoms can be similar, but when it comes to dry vs. dehydrated skin the causes are actually different. The key for improving dehydrated and dry skin (or both, since they can occur simultaneously) is understanding which your skin is experiencing and taking the proper skincare steps to restore skin to a more hydrated state.

Dehydrated Skin Vs. Dry Skin

Dehydrated skin is very common, especially during colder winter months—and it can happen to all skin types, including dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. The root cause is a lack of water in the skin, which can lead to a dull appearance as well as more prominent visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. To support its strength, structure, and function, the skin needs to contain approximately 30% water. With less than that, the skin becomes dehydrated—but this is often a temporary condition that can be improved with proper skincare and lifestyle adjustments.

On the other hand, dry skin is a specific skin type that is generally dictated by genetics. If someone has dry skin, they will likely always have dry skin. However, skincare products that are specifically formulated for this skin type can help keep dry skin healthy, comfortable, and looking its best.

Although all skin types can experience dehydration, those with dry skin may be more prone to dehydration since the oils that are produced naturally by the skin play a key role in minimizing water loss and helping the skin hold on to moisture.

What Causes Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin is the result of excess water loss, which is often referred to as trans-epidermal water loss (or TEWL). Skin dehydration can be caused by a variety of factors, including a compromised barrier, improper skincare use, low water intake, and environmental conditions such as cold, dry climates. Lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption or use of harsh cleansers can contribute to dehydrated skin as well. Professional treatments can also increase TEWL, which is why proper after-care is essential for the health and integrity of the skin.

What Causes Dry Skin

Dry skin is a skin type that is marked by insufficient production of sebum (oil) and lipids, which the skin needs to for hydration as well as protection from external aggressors. Similar to dehydrated skin, dry skin can become more pronounced during cold, dry winter weather due to cooler temperatures and less humidity. However, harsh skincare products that strip the skin of its natural oils, medical conditions, medications, hormonal changes, lifestyle, and the natural aging process can exacerbate dry skin symptoms as well.

Signs Of Dehydrated Skin Vs. Dry Skin

Dehydrated and dry skin can be easy to confuse since the primary signs of both include fine lines and wrinkles as well as a dull, lackluster appearance. For a simple visual comparison, dehydrated skin can resemble onion skin, while dry skin appears more prune-like. To determine whether your skin is experiencing dehydrated vs. dry skin, consider these additional signs.

Dehydrated skin

Fine lines and wrinkles
Dull skin
Increased sensitivity
Itching
Loss of elasticity and sagging

Dry skin

Fine lines and wrinkles
Dull skin
A sensation of tightness
Skin flaking
Scaly appearance
Redness or irritation

How To Care For Dehydrated Vs. Dry Skin

To improve the signs of dehydrated and dry skin, it’s essential to restore moisture balance and reinforce the skin’s barrier . This can be achieved in several ways.

Supplement the skin with moisture

Dehydrated and dry skin crave extra hydration, which can be easily incorporated into every step of any daily skincare routine. Moisture-rich cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks can help soothe and improve the look and feel of the skin, and hyaluronic acid is an effective ingredient to incorporate into your regimen for dehydrated skin.

Look for emollient and occlusive ingredients

Both dehydrated and dry skin need emollients to help smooth and soften, along with occlusive ingredients that help create a barrier to prevent water loss. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 and Epidermal Repair moisturizers are ideal for both dehydrated and dry skin.

Reinforce the skin’s barrier

This is essential for all skin types, but especially important for dehydrated and dry skin. Preventing the evaporation of moisture from the skin with ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier’s “seal” helps increase hydration levels to smooth the skin and enhance its healthy appearance. Strengthening the skin barrier can also help minimize irritation and sensitivity.

Ceramides are an especially important ingredient since these are a natural component of the skin’s barrier—which often need to be replenished due to a decline associated with skin aging and exposure to environmental aggressors.

Turn to anti-aging formulas

Dehydrated and dry skin can make visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles appear more pronounced. Address these concerns with targeted products that help reinforce the skin health and enhance skin elasticity to help minimize the effects of repetitive facial expressions such as squinting and smiling.

Skinceuticals Solutions For Dehydrated Skin

Skincare products that focus on binding moisture are beneficial for dehydrated skin.

Hydrating B5 Gel and Masque

Hydrating B5 Gel and Masque Formulated with hyaluronic acid to attract moisture to the skin along with barrier-strengthening vitamin B5, Hydrating B5 Gel gives skin a daily dose of extra hydration while Hydrating B5 Masque delivers an intense surge of moisture as needed.

The SkinCeuticals Phyto family

The SkinCeuticals Phyto family Formulated with hyaluronic acid to attract moisture to the skin along with barrier-strengthening vitamin B5, Hydrating B5 Gel gives skin a daily dose of extra hydration while Hydrating B5 Masque delivers an intense surge of moisture as needed.

Daily Moisture

Daily Moisture This lightweight moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration for normal to oily dehydrated skin plus nourishing vitamin E, algae extracts, and a blend of seven botanicals.

Skinceuticals Solutions For Dry Skin

Effective skincare for dry skin concentrates on emollient ingredients.

Gentle Cleanser

Gentle Cleanser This mild cream-based cleanser gently yet effectively removes impurities as allantoin, glycerin, and orange oil help soften and smooth the skin.

C E Ferulic^®

C E Ferulic^® Our award-winning, physician-favorite daily vitamin C serum provides outstanding environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin brightness.

Resveratrol B E

Resveratrol B E Formulated for overnight use, this potent antioxidant-rich gel-serum fight free-radical damage as it enhances skin radiance and this skin’s feeling of firmness.