IS YOUR SKIN DRY OR DEHYDRATED? HERE IS HOW YOU CAN TELL

Have you ever felt like no matter how much moisturizer you put on; your skin never seems to soak it all up?

That constant tightness or dryness can be frustrating. If you've been experiencing these feelings, you might be thinking your skin is dry and simply needs more moisturizer or a different kind. While you may be right, you may also be dealing with something else altogether: dehydration.

The difference between dryness and dehydration can be tricky to distinguish, but it's important to understand them if you want to tackle your skin issues effectively. If you want to learn about dry vs. dehydrated skin, and what you can do about it, you're in the right place!

UNDERSTANDING DRY SKIN

Dry skin occurs when the sebaceous glands fail to produce an adequate amount of natural oil, known as sebum. This condition can be influenced by various factors. If you have dry skin, you may notice it appears thin, almost translucent, and lacks a healthy glow. Dry skin can also feel rough, flaky and itchy.

It's important to understand what could be causing your dry skin before you try to treat it. Here are a few underlying causes:

• Aging: As we age, our skin tends to produce less sebum, which can lead to increased dryness.
• Genetics: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to having drier skin due to their skin’s natural composition.
• Environmental Factors: Cold and dry weather conditions can strip the skin of moisture and exacerbate dryness.
• Skincare Habits: Using harsh cleansers or over-washing your skin can disrupt its natural oil balance and contribute to dryness.
• Medications: Certain medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) and prolonged use of antibiotics may cause or worsen dry skin as side effects.

While many of these causes are unavoidable, it’s possible to manage dryness by helping your skin maintain an appropriate oil balance. A moisturizer, such as our Daily Repair Cream, can play a crucial role in achieving this balance. To better understand how the right moisturizer can combat dryness, take a look at some key ingredients:

• Shea butter: a natural plant fat rich in fatty acids that helps to soothe and nourish the skin.
• Jojoba seed oil: a unique liquid wax that closely mimics our own sebum (oil) production. This makes it an ideal moisturizing agent for dry skin because it helps regulate oil levels.
• Squalene: a moisturizing agent with antibacterial properties; it helps to restore the skin's barrier by locking in moisture and protecting it against environmental stressors.

HOW DO YOU AVOID GOING FROM DRY TO GREASY SKIN?

When it comes to treating dry skin, it's important to use the right professional products and not overdo it. Moisturizing every time your skin starts to feel dry can result in an oily complexion; if you're prone to greasy skin, skip heavy formulas and opt for a lighter option like our Daily Repair Cream instead.

Make sure to avoid harsh cleansers that strip away natural oils. You can identify a harsh cleanser by its ingredients; if contains sulfates or alcohol, it can be too drying or irritating for your skin.

Hot water can be overly drying for the skin, so it's best to use lukewarm water.

Finally, don't forget about a good overall skincare routine. In addition to moisturizing twice daily, exfoliate weekly with a gentle scrub (like our Peptide Micro Scrub). Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and allows your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively.

If you feel like you bounce between dry and oily skin without ever achieving your skincare goals, it might be time to connect with an expert. Our GlyMed Pros help clients get to the root of their skincare problems, pointing them toward the right products and routines.

UNDERSTANDING DEHYDRATION

Dehydrated skin is an entirely different issue than dryness. To put it simply, your skin is thirsty. This can come from not getting enough water or losing water too quickly.

When your skin is dehydrated, it feels "tight" or more taut. This is because the lack of water causes the skin cells to lose volume. Dehydrated skin also forms wrinkles much faster because there is not enough moisture to fill in the spaces around collagen and elastin fibers, which give structure and elasticity to the skin.

To effectively address dehydrated skin, it is crucial to figure out what is causing it and take immediate action. Like dryness, dehydration can stem from various factors. Here are some common culprits of skin dehydration:

• Sun exposure
• Too much sugar
• Excess sweating
• Stress
• Poor quality skincare products
• Medications

HOW TO HYDRATE YOUR SKIN

It's a common misconception that drinking more water will lead to hydrated skin. This myth comes from the fact that your skin cells are largely made up of water. Some people think if you increase your water intake, it will naturally hydrate your skin cells. However, studies have yet to prove this connection.

Drinking water is still important and can indirectly increase skin moisture by supporting bodily functions that affect skin hydration. However, to directly care for dehydrated skin, you need a combination of products that will draw water back into your skin and help it retain moisture.

To rehydrate your skin, use products that contain humectants. Humectants are ingredients that work like magnets, attracting water molecules and helping your skin absorb and retain them. Some popular humectants you might have heard of include hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera.

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a gold standard for hydration. When applied to the skin, it draws in water, which plumps the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Our Ultra Hydro Gel contains hyaluronic acid and leaves irritated, dehydrated skin feeling smooth and refreshed. This ultralight formula melts into the skin, making it a perfect addition to your skincare routine. Use after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Glycerin attracts water from the air and deeper skin layers and brings it to the surface. In this way, it helps the skin stay hydrated and soft throughout the day.

Try our Mega Cream Cleanser, which uses glycerin and Vitamins E and C to pull moisture back into the skin while also giving it a deep clean. Designed to dissolve makeup, oil and debris, this formulation is excellent for dehydrated skin.

Aloe vera not only contains humectants but also vitamins and minerals that help soothe irritated skin. It also stimulates collagen and elastin fibers, which can boost the elasticity of your skin. That means fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Many GlyMed Plus products contain aloe vera, including Comfort Cream. It immediately calms upset and irritated skin caused by waxing, permanent makeup, peels, extractions, facial steam, chemicals, medications, sun exposure, insect bites and more. Fortified with pure concentrated aloe vera, this creamy formula hydrates, soothes, protects and heals your skin for instant relief and long-lasting results.

DRY VS DEHYDRATED SKIN: THE KEY DIFFERENCES

Here are the quick points you have to remember to treat your skin:

• Dry skin occurs when sebaceous glands don't produce enough natural oils, resulting in a compromised or underactive lipid barrier.
• Dehydrated skin is due to a lack of water content. It happens when the skin doesn’t retain sufficient moisture, often caused by external factors and internal imbalances.
• Signs of dry skin include flakiness, rough texture and persistent itchiness; signs of dehydration include dullness, tautness and wrinkles.
• To treat dryness, use moisturizers that contain shea butter, jojoba seed oil and squalene. To treat dehydration, use products with glycerin, aloe vera, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

Having healthy skin is all about having the right balance of moisture and hydration. If you can identify whether your skin is dry or dehydrated before treating it, you can select the most suitable products and routines to address your skin’s specific needs.

WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE?

Now that you know the difference between dry vs. dehydrated skin, it’s time to evaluate your own skin. Which description best matches your current skin condition?

Dry Skin: Appears rough and flaky and may have areas of redness or irritation. It can feel tight and uncomfortable, and fine lines and wrinkles may be more noticeable.

Dehydrated Skin: Looks dull and lackluster. It may feel tight. Fine lines and wrinkles may be more pronounced, especially around the eyes and mouth.

If you’re not sure which skin condition you have, try the "pinch test." Take a pinch of skin on your cheek or the back of your hand and gently pull it away from the surface. If the skin takes longer to bounce back or appears to lack elasticity, your skin is probably dehydrated.

Once you identify which skin concern you have, you can move forward with proper treatment. Remember that finding the right balance between moisture and hydration is key to healthy, glowing skin.

If you’re still unsure about whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, a pro at GlyMed can help. Meet with one near you, and they’ll help you get to the bottom of your skincare issues. 

HOW TO COMBAT BOTH DRY AND DEHYDRATED SKIN

For a quick look at fighting dryness and dehydration, here are the main points:

• Avoid harsh cleansers when washing your face
• Use a moisturizer that is made with shea butter and jojoba seed oil
• Use products with glycerin, aloe vera, Vitamin E or hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin
• Exfoliate weekly to remove dead skin cells

With the right knowledge and products, you can revive dry or dehydrated in no time. If you have any questions or need some advice on getting your skin back into balance, our team of skincare experts at GlyMed is ready to help! So don't hesitate to reach out for more personalized guidance.

GlyMed Advanced Aesthetic Institute