You’ve probably been there: you wake up, get out of bed, begin your skincare routine, and then notice that it has all the usual suspects. A dry patch, tightness or irritation, flaking, and cracks. You grab a product on instinct and continue your day. By the evening, however, your skin feels… just not right.
You may not have determined whether your skin is dehydrated (deprived water) or dried (deprived oils). Both terms sound and feel the same, but they are not interchangeable.
It’s time to end that feeling of not quite right by learning the difference between dry skin. Our Skin Health Experts have uncovered the reasons behind each condition and shown you how to adjust your skin care regimen to meet the needs of your unique skin.
What causes dehydration
Dehydration is precisely what it sounds like. When your skin doesn’t have enough water to maintain its vibrance and elasticity, you are experiencing dehydration. Skin dehydration is a common problem that most people will experience at some point.
Your skin may suffer the consequences, whether the local humidity level is high or you drink more coffee than water daily. Studies suggest that you should monitor your fluid intake to avoid the unattractive effects of epidermal hydration. Consider adding a water-based hydrating product to your skin care regimen (we’ll tell you a few of our favorites).
What causes dryness
A lack of natural oils is what causes dry skin. This type of skin is genetic and not caused by a condition such as dehydration. If you have dry skin and don’t know why, you probably were born with it. Dry skin types are more susceptible to skin dehydration, so they should be careful about their chosen products.
The good news? There are skincare routines for oily skin and dry skin. Our recommended products and ingredients are tailored to your skin type.
Three tips for treating dry skin
You can care for your skin’s unique needs, whether you are dry (or both). You may require more than just a few extra glasses of water.
In this case, backing up could mean using carefully developed products, such as a moisturizer or hydrating serum. We’ll go over our three top tips for dry skin.
Moisturize the Right Way
A good moisturizer can be the best (and first) defense against dehydration. We’ve selected a few of the best moisturizers for your skin type.
The water-based Total Repair Cream by KateCeuticals ™ is essential for dehydrated skin. The cream combines hyaluronic and salicylic acids to moisturize, smooth out skin, and possibly strengthen it in just one week.
We recommend the Kate Somerville Skin Saver for naturally dry skin. It aims to restore your skin barrier by replenishing moisture with Japanese kelp and oat kernel.
Serums are a good choice
Your skin needs both. It’s time to add a hydrating skin serum to your routine. These highly concentrated products can deliver hydration and oil directly to the required areas.
You’ll find the following among our favorites:
The Wrinkle Warriors(r) Plumping Moisturize and Serum are designed to provide transformative hydration for dehydrated skin needing an intensely dewy boost.
The DeliKate Recovery Serum is a lightweight serum that soothes and moisturizes dry skin. It contains cucumber seed oil, Omega, and Ceramides.
Make a few lifestyle changes
You can make a few changes to your lifestyle that will help you maintain healthy skin, such as:
Showering for less than 10 minutes will help your skin retain its natural oils
A well-balanced, nutritious diet is crucial in preventing dry skin.
Use a humidifier in your home for dry indoor spaces.