Dry vs. Dehydrated: What is your skin thirsty for?

Did you know your skin could be water dry, oil dry or both?

If you have ever experienced the phenomenon of slathering on layer after layer of cream and STILL feel dry and tight OR if your skin is super duper oily and you still get flakey, dry skin - you also need to read this. 

There is a HUGE difference in how we quench the thirst of the skin with products like humectants and moisturizers. And it’s all dependent on what skin type you are.

First, let’s break down the different types of dry skin:

Water Dry (Dehydrated) Skin

This skin condition lacks water moisture. It is not necessarily indicative of how much water you drink, although if your body is dehydrated, your skin will typically follow suit. This condition can be experienced by anyone, which means your skin type can be oily, dry or combination and still be dehydrated. This condition can come and go depending on your environment/climate/season, using products that are drying on the skin, airplane travel, etc. This skin condition is usually recognized as feeling/looking tight, crepey, flakey and possibly itchy or irritated. 

The best way to combat water dry (dehydrated skin) is by using products that contain humectants, such as sodium hyaluronate (a.k.a. hyaluronic acid) which is like a big drink of water for the skin. Then, be sure you seal in the water moisture with the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type.

My favorite humectants?

• Dew Drops: a hyaluronic acid serum to instantly restore the skin's moisture barrier.
• Skin Quencher Gel: an aloe based gel with other moisture loving humectants to quench dehydrated skin.
• Firming Peptide Serum: a hydrating serum with the added benefit of age-defying peptides. 

Oil Dry Skin (a.k.a Dry Skin)

This skin type is lacking its own natural oil production. This is an actual skin type that you have had from birth. You will usually feel dry all over (hands, scalp, body). Unfortunately, this skin type is more susceptible to premature aging as oil moisture keeps the skin lubricated, protected and the skin cell working most efficiently. This skin type is usually recognized as feeling/looking dull and lackluster.

The best way to combat dry skin is by using emollient-rich moisturizers on top of a humectant. By sealing in the water moisture with an emollient rich moisturizer will not only combat the dehydration in the skin but replace the much needed oil moisture to soften and lubricate the skin.

My favorite emollient rich moisturizer?

Hydraluxe Cream: an ultra-hydrating cream, formulated with ceramides to lock in moisture all day long.

So how do you combat dehydrated skin, no matter if you have oily skin or dry skin? It's all in the application of your skincare products! Click here to learn how to properly moisturize your skin.