Have you ever found yourself constantly having to apply moisturizers only to find your skin feels dry, dull, and tight shortly afterward? With the change of season approaching, we're sure most of you are anticipating the changes in your skin, hoping it will return to its glowing, moisturized state... but that's not always the case! When we experience these symptoms, our first instinct is to think our skin is simply dry; however, it's possible your skin could be dehydrated. Although commonly used to describe the same thing, dry and dehydrated skin are two entirely different skin concerns caused by different conditions, so it's important to understand their symptoms and how to treat them.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin type , just as oily and combination skin are skin types. Usually a result of genetics, dry skin can be described as a lack of oil or lipids in the skin, which causes a lack of moisture, leaving it feeling rough, dry, or flaky. Lipids are non-water-soluble chemical compounds that form the skin's natural barrier, retaining moisture and blocking external impurities. This lipid barrier diminishes as we age, making dry skin more common among older adults.

The most common symptoms of this skin type are: flaking, tightness (especially after cleansing), dullness, dryness, itching, rough texture, redness, and loss of facial volume.

What is dehydrated skin?

Although dehydrated skin may go unnoticed by many people, the truth is that it's much more common than dry skin. The reason is that dehydrated skin is simply a lack of water; that is, it's a temporary condition that can affect all skin types and occurs when the skin is deficient in moisture and has low water content. But that's good news! It means dehydrated skin isn't caused by genetics, making it easier to treat than dry skin.

The reason your skin can become dehydrated is due to a lack of moisture in the outer layer, known as the stratum corneum, which results in an overproduction of oil to compensate for the lack of water. This reaction can cause breakouts, irritation, dryness, the appearance of smaller pores, flaky and rough texture, redness, tightness, increased sensitivity, accelerated signs of aging, and a dull, lackluster, and less supple appearance.

Dehydrated skin can arise from more than just a lack of water. Your lifestyle will have a significant impact on how your skin behaves, as other causes of this condition include stress and lack of sleep, poor diet and excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, the wrong skincare products, exposure to the sun or very cold temperatures, and high sodium intake.

Prevention and treatment of dehydrated skin

The skin is the largest organ in our bodies, so neglecting it by becoming dehydrated can lead to skin damage and premature aging. To improve the condition of your skin, it's important to incorporate products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen into your routine, as they help retain moisture and keep your skin hydrated.

Hyaluronic acid promotes the formation of collagen (the fibers that firm the skin) and absorbs water like a sponge, filling the spaces between the connective fibers of collagen and elastin, giving the skin fullness. And although we find it abundantly in young skin, as we age, the body produces less of this component.

A good skincare routine may be the most obvious solution to this condition, but the reality is that it's not the only treatment for preventing problems like dehydration. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, healthy habits, and drinking plenty of water can also help improve water retention in the skin to maintain radiant, hydrated skin.

If you don't know where to start, we recommend this dry skin routine kit:

The dry skin bundle contains the essentials for a skincare routine that will restore your face's natural glow.

1.Cleaner

Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser by COSRX

A soap that maintains the skin's balance because it doesn't remove the dermis's natural oils, which is essential to prevent dryness or irritation.

2. Tonic

White in Milker Toner by G9 Skin

With a formula rich in ceramides combined with hyaluronic acid, milk protein, and almond oil, this toner will prevent your skin from dehydrating while soothing it.

3.Serum

Koné Care Serum No. 6

Bakuchiol in its purest form helps retain skin lipids and restore firmness.

4. Cream

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly

Its gel consistency penetrates deeply into the skin, providing instant hydration, improving its texture and leaving it visibly more radiant.

If you'd like to bring your dehydrated skin back to life, we also recommend:

1. Microbiome Essence by Indeed Labs

This facial essence provides essential nutrients to the microbiome that help the skin defend itself against aggressors and irritants. It's composed of a blend of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help improve skin hydration levels.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence Spray by Revolution Skincare

Formulated with active ingredients that provide a hydration boost , and enriched with hyaluronic acid that allows the skin to retain moisture, it transforms the annoying feeling of tightness into skin that feels soft to the touch.

3. Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream by COSRX

Moisturizing cream infused with pure marine collagen and mucin, which promotes skin hydration and firmness. It increases skin hydration by 10% and lipid content within the outermost layer by 5%, which smooths and maintains the skin's texture. Its lightweight, oil-free formula is perfect for all skin types, including oily-dehydrated skin that needs moisture but doesn't want the extra shine.