What’s the Difference between Dry and Dehydrated Skin?

Many are often confused between “dry” and “dehydrated” skin. Both conditions can lead to discomfort and skin-related problems. They also have different underlying causes and require specific remedies for effective treatment. So how can you differentiate between the two, and what are good remedies for these? Read on to find out!

What Characterizes Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a skin type, right along with ‘normal,’ ‘oily,’ ‘sensitive,’ and ‘combination.’ It’s a skin type influenced by genetics and tends to be a long-term skin condition. It’s when your sebaceous (aka oil-producing) glands aren’t as active as they should be. As a result, it leaves your skin wanting in terms of moisture and hydration.

That means no matter the weather or external circumstances, your skin tends to be itchy, flaky, rough to the touch, and sometimes even irritated and red.

What Characterizes Dehydrated Skin?

Dehydrated skin is a condition that can be caused by factors such as the weather, your water intake, and more. It can also result from poor sleep hygiene. Dehydrated skin also shows up in ways dry skin doesn’t. These include dark undereye circles, your face looking gloomier and more ‘shadowed,’ and more prominent fine lines and wrinkles.

It can affect any skin type, including oily skin. Even excessive sun exposure and air conditioning can dehydrate your skin!

Because dehydrated skin is a condition, not a skin type, you won’t have to suffer from it forever—short-term lifestyle changes are usually enough to get your skin back to normal.

The Main Difference

The main difference between the two? Dehydrated skin lacks water, whereas dry skin lacks oil.

Luckily, you don’t have to suffer from it forever. Short-term lifestyle changes are usually enough to get your skin back to normal, and treatments that we have here in Belo!

What can I do to avoid both dry and dehydrated skin?

Understanding the difference between dry and dehydrated skin is essential for proper skincare and effective treatment. By identifying the underlying cause of your skin concern and implementing the appropriate remedies, you can achieve a healthier and more radiant complexion!

• Use the right ingredients. For both dry and dehydrated skin, exfoliants like glycolic and salicylic acid might exacerbate your condition. Instead, look for hydration-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, and more.
• Try: Belo Prescriptives Tint of Green (TOG) Soap. Ideal for dry and sensitive skin, it effectively cleanses and moisturises. Ingredients include stearic acid (a fatty acid that fills in the cracks on a dry and dehydrated skin surface) and vegetable oil, (known to contain phytochemicals and nutrients that help moisturize, protect and strengthen your skin).
• Try: ZO Hydrating Cleanser 200ML. A dual-action cleanser great for normal to dry skin, it helps minimise dryness and irritation for sensitive skin.
• Drink a ton of water. We know, we know, you’ve heard this before. But water intake plays a big role in helping dehydrated skin return to normal. And no matter your skin type, Dr. Vicki Belo recommends that you drink 10 glasses of water a day.
• Moisturize your body. Dr. Belo may not approve of moisturizer on your face, but there’s an exception! Because your body has less oil glands, it definitely needs to be moisturized. This whitening and firming lotion is a fantastic hydrator, too!
• Try out Profhilo®! A beauty booster that contains low and high weight hyaluronic acid, Belo Profhilo® is injected only in a few points of the face. It hydrates and moisturizes skin, and also lift its sagginess, target the fine lines and slow down ageing.
• Go for an Enhanced Placenta Anti Aging Drip. This drip is a water-soluble extract of human placenta able to boost hydration levels, collagen synthesis, elasticity and more! 

Book your Belo consultation today by clicking here.