Is Your Skin Dehydrated or Just Dry?
It’s a common question in the treatment room and one of the most misunderstood skincare issues out there: Is your skin dry, or is it dehydrated? While these two conditions might look and feel similar, they’re actually very different—and treating them correctly can make all the difference in how your skin looks, feels, and functions.
Let’s break it down.
Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin: What’s the Difference?
🔹 Dry Skin
Dry skin is a skin type, meaning it’s something you’re born with. It typically involves a lack of natural oils (sebum) and often feels:
Rough or flaky
Tight, especially after cleansing
Dull or ashy
Sensitive, especially in the winter
Dry skin needs more lipids—fats that help your skin stay soft and prevent water loss.
🔹 Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition—something that can happen to anyone, regardless of skin type. Even oily or acne-prone skin can be dehydrated. It means your skin lacks water, not oil.
Signs of dehydration include:
Tightness, especially in the morning
Dull or tired-looking complexion
Fine lines that seem to appear out of nowhere
Increased sensitivity or redness
A feeling of dryness and oiliness at the same time
Common Causes of Dehydrated Skin
Especially during the summer, there are a lot of factors working against your skin’s hydration:
Air conditioning
Sun exposure
Chlorine or salt water
Alcohol and caffeine
Over-exfoliating or using harsh products
Not drinking enough water
How to Treat Each Type
💧 If Your Skin Is Dehydrated:
Use hydrating toners or serums with humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, and beta glucan. Serums like Hydrabalance, Mixi Dew Drop, and Hydrinity Restorative HA or Renewing HA. Comfort Cream is a great moisturizer that’s 200% aloe!
Avoid over-exfoliating and harsh cleansers use gentle gel based like Ultra Gentle Cleanser by Face Reality.
Add a hydrating mist throughout the day (especially during flights or time in A/C) CBD Mist by Glymed or Recovery Mist are amazing options! Use hypochlorous acid to kill bacteria mid day too like Hyacin or Magic Molecule!
Drink more water and eat water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon. Use code GLISTENANDGLOW for 15% your Redmond order anytning off the website but electrolytes will help your skin be more hydrated!
Consider occlusive products at night (like a light balm or sleeping mask) to seal in moisture. Hydracalm Mask by Face Reality is the best option for a leave on or use during the shower! I also love Hydrinity HA masks and the Beta Glucan Hydrogel!
🧴 If Your Skin Is Dry:
Look for moisturizers with ceramides, squalane, jojoba oil, or shea butter. Something with more richness would be Trio Luxe by Skinbetter, Hydri-C by Hydrinity, CranPepetide by Face Reality or Comfort Cream by Glymed.
Avoid foaming cleansers or anything that strips your skin’s natural oils. Use creams like Barrier Balance by Glymed or oil ones to remove makeup like pore clearing oil.
Exfoliate gently to remove dry, flaky buildup—but only once or twice a week. Use Hydrating Enzyme by Glymed to help with hydration and gentle enzyme exfoliation. Bye dead skin hello plump skin! Use Dermathod peel pads for a little more up!
Use rich creams, especially at night, to replenish the skin barrier. Mixi Rescue Peptide is perfection!! CranPeptide by Face Reality, Comfort Cream by Glymed are all great too! Plus the Hydracalm mask by Face Reality to leave on as moisturizer is perfect if youre skin is needing a drink!
Can You Be Both?
Yes! Many people have dry and dehydrated skin—especially if you have a naturally dry skin type and are also experiencing lifestyle or environmental factors that reduce your skin’s hydration levels. In this case, it’s important to layer hydration and moisturization: start with a hydrating serum, then seal it in with a nourishing cream.
Bottom Line
Knowing whether your skin is dry or dehydrated helps you choose the right products and routine. If you’re not sure, that’s where a professional skin analysis comes in—we can look at your skin, ask the right questions, and help you build a routine that supports your skin from the inside out.
Need help figuring out your skin type or building a personalized routine? Book a facial or skin consultation this month and let’s get you glowing.
