It can be frustrating when your skin isn’t looking it’s best and you’re not sure where to start to correct it. With cooler weather and drier air I see a lot of clients who believe their skin is dry when it’s really just dehydrated or vice versa. How do you tell the difference? And how do we correct it?

To put it simply, all skin types need both water and oil. Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition that happens due to a lack of water. Dry skin is a more chronic condition that can affect skin across a lifetime and happens when skin has a lack of oil.

In dehydrated skin types, you may notice that fine lines are more pronounced and skin looks dull. You may be tempted to just drink more water to increase hydration , but only a small percentage of your water intake actually reaches the skin. Drinking plenty of water is crucial to a healthy functioning body but when it comes to skin dehydration, you’ll need to look for topical ingredients instead. Hyaluronic acid, aloe, snail mucin, and lactic acid can help to draw and keep moisture in the skin , but be sure to use a moisturizer on top to seal those water-loving ingredients inside.

In dryer skin types, you may see flakiness, redness or irritation, or you may notice conditions like eczema or psoriasis. For dry skin, it is crucial to protect and heal that skin barrier to prevent moisture loss. Dry skin types should use hyaluronic acid, ceramides, lanolin, or natural plant oils, such as squalene or roschip seed oil to restore the skin.

Although “dry” and “dehydrated” are terms that some people use interchangeably, they are teo different skin conditions and must be treated in different ways. Both conditions can be managed through homecare and lifestyle choices, so see your local esthetician for help with restoring your skin back to balance!