Is Your Skin Dry or Just Dehydrated? The Difference Worth Knowing

Why even oily skin can suffer from a lack of water, and how to recognize what the skin really needs?

We are used to dividing our skin into several types: dry, oily, combination, or normal.

But there is another condition that doesn't always get enough attention, and that is dehydrated skin.

Quite a few women feel that their skin is tight, lacking vitality, and sometimes even fine lines appear in it that weren't there before. The first thought is usually that the skin has become drier or that it is starting to age.

But sometimes the reason is simpler. The skin has lost water.

What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin is a skin type characterized by a relatively low production of natural oil, called sebum.

This oil is part of the skin's defense system, and it helps maintain its elasticity and reduce moisture loss.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a condition in which the water content in the outer layer of the skin is lower than needed.

And that means that even a woman with oily skin can suffer from dehydrated skin.

In fact, it's possible to feel that the face is shiny with oil, and at the same time experience a feeling of tightness and discomfort.

How can we recognize dehydrated skin?

There are several signs worth paying attention to:

• A feeling of tightness after washing the face.
• Fine lines that look more prominent when the skin lacks moisture.
• A dull, lifeless appearance.
• A rough texture and sometimes flaking.
• Skin that feels oily on the surface, but still uncomfortable or tight.

These signs are not unique to skin dehydration, and therefore it's not possible to determine through them alone what the cause of the problem is.

Why does the skin lose water?

Our skin loses water naturally all the time, in a process called Transepidermal Water Loss, or TEWL for short.

This is a completely normal process, but when the skin's outer barrier does not function well, the rate of water loss can rise.

There are several factors that may affect this.

Hot showers, over-cleansing, frequent use of acids and peels, dry air, and prolonged air conditioning.

Age-related changes can also affect the function of the skin barrier and its ability to retain moisture.

Is drinking water enough to restore moisture to the skin?

I make a point of drinking water during the day, and I think it's an important habit for general health.

But it's important to understand that drinking water and applying moisture to the skin do not perform the same action.

When the body suffers from a lack of fluids, adequate drinking is important for skin health as well.

However, in a person who drinks enough, drinking larger amounts of water won't necessarily solve dryness or damage to the skin barrier.

In order to keep the water that is already in the skin, we also need to support its external defense system.

Three types of ingredients worth knowing

1. Ingredients that attract water – Humectants
Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea in appropriate concentrations are examples of ingredients that help attract water and keep it in the outer layer of the skin.

2. Ingredients that soften the skin – Emollients
Ingredients such as squalane and certain fats help soften the skin and improve its feel and texture.

3. Ingredients that reduce water loss – Occlusives
Ingredients such as petrolatum and dimethicone create a protective layer that reduces the evaporation of water from the skin's surface.

This is also the reason that sometimes a moisturizing serum alone is not enough, especially when the skin is very dry.

A correct combination of ingredients that provide moisture and ingredients that help preserve it can be more effective.

And what happens to our skin over the years?

As we grow older, the skin undergoes natural changes.

Oil production can change, the composition of the fats in the skin barrier may change, and the skin may become drier and more sensitive.

In women, the hormonal changes around menopause can also affect the skin's moisture, elasticity, and feel.

But not every new fine line necessarily indicates accelerated aging.

Sometimes, when the skin receives appropriate moisture, fine lines that became prominent due to dryness look less deep.

It's important to distinguish between this temporary improvement and a real structural change in wrinkles.

A few small habits worth adopting

I always prefer to start with daily habits before looking for complex solutions.

Wash the face with lukewarm water and not water that's too hot.

Use a gentle cleanser that doesn't leave the skin with a feeling of tightness.

Apply moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp, to help keep the water in.

Avoid excessive use of peels and active ingredients, especially during periods when the skin is sensitive.

And of course, maintain daily protection from the sun.

My daily recommendation

Next time you feel that your skin is dry, don't rush to add more and more creams.

First try to understand exactly what it lacks.

Does it produce little oil? Is it losing water? Is your cleansing routine too aggressive? And maybe precisely one of the products you use is causing irritation?

We invest so much thought in what we apply to the skin, but sometimes we forget to ask how it responds.

In my eyes, proper skincare doesn't begin with the number of products on the shelf, but with the ability to know our skin and understand its changing needs.

Because our skin also changes over the course of life, and what suited it ten years ago doesn't necessarily suit it today.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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