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

If your skin feels dry, tight or a little uncomfortable, it is easy to assume that you have dry skin.

But dry skin and dehydrated skin are actually two different things. And knowing the difference can help you understand what your skin needs instead of constantly changing products and hoping something works.

This is something we see often in the salon. Someone will come in feeling like their skin has suddenly become dry, only to find that their skin may actually be lacking water rather than oil.

So, what is the difference?

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same

Dry skin is a skin type. It means your skin naturally produces less oil, or sebum, than it needs.

If you have dry skin, you may notice that your skin often feels tight or rough. You might have flaky areas, especially around the nose or cheeks, and your skin may feel uncomfortable after cleansing.

Dehydrated skin is different. It is a condition that can happen to any skin type, including oily and combination skin.

When your skin is dehydrated, it is lacking water.

This can happen for a number of reasons. Weather, sun exposure, air conditioning, long hot showers, not drinking enough water and using products that are too harsh for your skin can all play a part.

You can even have oily but dehydrated skin.

This is one of the reasons skincare can become confusing. You might look in the mirror and see shine, so you reach for products that control oil. But underneath that, your skin may still feel tight and uncomfortable.

How can you tell what your skin needs?

It is not always as simple as looking at one symptom.

Dry skin can feel rough and tight and may have visible flaking. Dehydrated skin can also feel tight, but you may notice that your skin looks dull or that fine lines seem more noticeable than usual.

Sometimes your skin just feels different.

Your usual products may suddenly feel uncomfortable. Makeup may not sit as well. Your skin might feel tight after cleansing but become oily later in the day.

And this is where we think it is important to stop guessing.

It is very easy to keep buying another serum, another moisturiser or another active ingredient because something you are using does not seem to be working.

But more products do not always mean better skin.

Sometimes your skin needs a simpler routine. Sometimes a product you have been using is not right for your skin. And sometimes the issue is not the product at all, but how your skin is responding to everything you are using together.

Bring your skincare with you

This is exactly why we created our Skin Strategy Session at MG Beauty & Brow.

Rather than simply recommending products without knowing what you are currently using, you can bring your own skincare products along to your session.

We can look at what you are using, talk through your routine and help you understand what your skin actually needs.

There is also time to enjoy a mini facial, followed by 10 minutes of LED therapy.

It is a chance to step back from all the skincare advice you see online and get a clearer idea of what is right for your own skin.

Because your skin is not the same as everyone else’s.

The product that works for your friend may not be what your skin needs. And having a shelf full of skincare does not necessarily mean you have a good routine.

Sometimes your skin just needs a reset

If your skin has been feeling dry, dehydrated, oily, sensitive or simply not quite right, you do not always need to start from scratch.

You may just need to understand what is happening first.

A Skin Strategy Session gives us the opportunity to look at your skin and your current routine together, rather than guessing from a distance.

Bring the products you already have at home. We can go through them with you and help you understand where they fit into your routine and work out what may or may not be helping your skin.

Then you can enjoy a little time for your skin with a mini facial and 10 minutes of LED.

Good skincare does not have to mean having more products.

It is about understanding your skin and knowing what it actually needs.

If you are not sure whether your skin is dry, dehydrated or just feeling a little out of balance, a Skin Strategy Session could be a good place to start.