Dry or Dehydrated Skin?

Hydration and moisturization are two completely different things, with regards to skincare. Dry skin is skin that’s lacking moisturization, whereas dehydrated skin can be a more serious issue. Dehydrated skin is a condition that happens when there is not enough water in the skin, and it affects all skin types – dry, oily and combination.

Dehydrated skin in general looks dull and shows premature signs of aging, like deep wrinkles and lack of suppleness and elasticity. Those with dehydrated skin might also notice fine lines that are sensitive to movement, itchiness and darker under-eye areas.

A way to test if you have dehydrated skin is to do the “pinch test”. To do the pinch test, pinch a small amount of your skin on your cheek, stomach, or the back of your hand and hold it in place for a few seconds. If your skin snaps back to it’s original shape immediately then chances are you do not have dehydrated skin. If it takes a bit for your skin to do so, then you’re likely dehydrated.

The difference between dry and dehydrated skin is that dry skin can be “normal” for some people, as their skin type might be naturally dry, while no one should have dehydrated skin by default. Hydration and moisturization is important to prevent both dry and dehydrated skin, but layering them correctly is the key. Use hydrating agents first before moisturizing to seal in the moisture. You can also supplement your skin’s hydration by drinking enough water, or eating foods that are rich in water, like watermelon, cucumber and strawberries.