When it comes to dry or dehydrated skin struggles whether you’re experiencing rough texture, fine lines, or flaking, we know it needs addressing ASAP. But did you know that dehydrated skin and dry skin are two quite different things? 

They often get grouped into the same space as skin concerns so it can tend to get confusing, but read on to find out the difference between the two, what to look out for with each, and what to do once you know what you’re dealing with. 

Dry skin

Is a skin type, just like oily or combination skin. It’s genetic and is caused by a natural lack of oil or lipids in the skin that are necessary for it to function at its best.  These oils and lipids are key players in our skin’s protective barrier – the acid mantle – without them our skin becomes vulnerable to environmental stressors, easily loses moisture, and can present as flaky or scaley often with redness and irritation. 

You aren’t necessarily able to ‘cure’ a dry skin, but you can definitely manage the characteristics and approve the appearance with the right skincare. Your focus should be on replenishing and maintaining nourishing lipids and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier to keep your happy balance. Look for emollient ingredients like natural oils – Jojoba, Grapeseed, Macadamia Seed, Shea Butter – which act as soothing agents working to calm dry, stressed and irritated skin, restoring the skin barrier to smooth, replenish lipids and maintain moisture. 

Start with Balancing Cleanser, a creamy, non-foaming formula which can help to soothe dryness and respects the skin’s naturally occurring pH. Follow with a boost of nourishment from Vitamin E Serum, with an added Ceramide Complex to replenish moisture, and finish by locking everything in with our Essential Hydration Cream, a calming and soothing formula that reduces the appearance of redness and keeps moisture loss at bay. 

Dehydration

Is a skin condition. Influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, dehydration is a lack of water in the skin due to elements like UV exposure, pollution, weather changes and life choices such as smoking or drinking, and can be experienced by anybody regardless of skin type. Water is as important for the skin’s acid mantle as oil for it to function correctly, it also keeps skin plump and youthful, reducing the appearance of fine lines and sagging. 

The good news? Dehydration is easily fixed by changing some of these elements and using the right skincare. Look out for water-based products with lots of humectants such as Hyaluronic Acid, Chia Seed, Aloe Vera and Glycerin. These powerful hydrators draw and bind water, locking it within the surface layers of the skin to boost moisture levels and keep skin supple. And be sure to keep all that additional hydration in with occlusive moisturisers to form a physical, protective barrier on the skin’s surface, stopping trans-epidermal moisture loss and blocking external irritants.  

Melting Moment Cleansing Balm tackles stubborn makeup and lingering SPF without stripping the skin of valuable hydration, then follow with a hydration hit from Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum, with 8 multi-weighted hydrators to bind and lock water within the skin. And finally, protect your skin from environmental stressors with a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen like Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50+, to prevent harm from damaging UV rays as well as deeply hydrating the skin and stopping trans-epidermal moisture loss throughout your day. 

For the best solution against dry and dehydrated skin, go for a combination of all the above, hydrating with powerful humectants, nourishing with emollients and locking all the goodness in with protecting occlusives.