Do you know the difference? No? We didn't either. That's why we enlisted the help of skincare experts Oskia to help us find out which is which and how to fix it. One of the trickiest things when it comes to skincare is really knowing your skin type and therefore which selection of products you require in your daily routine to address your individual skin needs. We've all heard of the many different skin types: combination, oily, dry, mature, pigmented and sensitive - the list goes on. But what about the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin? These skin conditions are all too easily confused, with many of us assuming that if we have dry skin, it is also dehydrated and vice versa. Read on to find out about more these two conditions which have very similar symptoms but very different underlying reasons... Dry skin lacks oil. Oil helps your skin to retain moisture so without it, your skin quickly becomes tight, rough and flaky. Dry skin is often genetic so therefore is a skin type and is characterised by small pores, therefore less sebum, which affects the acid mantel and natural barrier function. Signs of dry skin include rough patches and redness, skin that is easily irritated, dull skin that lacks radiance and flakiness. Dry skin often doesn’t absorb products as effectively, rarely suffers from acne/breakouts and is more susceptible to showing early signs of ageing. Dry skins lack the lipids necessary to maintain moisture levels and form a protective barrier against external influences. You can also help to combat dry skin through a nutrient-rich diet. Nutrition Tip: Opt for foods such as salmon, herring, avocado, spinach, almonds and flax seeds to help lock in moisture and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier. Dehydrated skin lacks water. And this is why those with oilier skin types or those who are prone to breakouts can also suffer from dehydrated skin. There are a vast number of external factors which can cause skin to become dehydrated including seasonal changes, not drinking enough water, harsh skincare products, central heating, lifestyle and too-hot showers. These all wreak havoc on our skin’s natural barrier, making it more difficult for our skin to retain vital moisture. Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition rather than a skin type. Tell-tale signs are a tight feeling after cleansing, a sudden increase in skin sensitivity and skin that instantly drinks up moisturising products. Many also find that their makeup becomes patchy throughout the day – this is your skin absorbing all the water in your foundation. Nutrition Tip: The skin is our largest organ, so along with the rest of our body requires sufficient hydration to work optimally. It is absolutely essential to drink at least 2 litres of water per day to help prevent dehydrated skin. For those suffering from dry and dehydrated skin, it is important to quench parched skin with a selection of products with a richer texture, preferably containing ingredients such as omegas, oils (sweet almond oils, rosehip seed oils, starflower oils are all brilliant) to nourish and ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to rehydrate. Dry and dehydrated skins require more oils rich in oleic acid (Omega 9) than linoelic (Omega 6) and Omega 3. Steer clear of foaming cleansers, mineral oils, silicones, products with a low pH such as acid toners and synthetic fragrances which all strip the skin. Try our Perfect Cleanser, Renaissance 360, Restoration Oil, Micro Exfoliating Balm and Bedtime Beauty Boost. Shop here for Oskia
