The ultimate guide to dry and dehydrated skin

The ultimate guide to dry and dehydrated skin

Having dry or dehydrated skin are problems that we know a lot of our customers struggle with. Whether we’re hearing from them through our complimentary skincare consultation services or are just eyeing up products as we pack orders, we know that a lot of you are looking for a hit of hydration in your routines.

But did you know that dry skin and dehydrated skin are actually two different things?

Whilst the terms are often used interchangeably, they actually have different causes, different symptoms and - most importantly - different solutions.

If we’ve blown your mind with that one, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through it.


What causes dry skin?

The skin naturally produces oils that keep the complexion plump, supple and moisturised. Dry skin is a symptom of not having enough of these natural oils.

What are the symptoms of dry skin?

Dry skin is most often characterised by skin flaking or scaling due to lack of moisture, as well as irritation and redness. 

What’s the solution for dry skin?

Avoid oil stripping products like face wipes, foaming face washes or any skincare formulated for oily skin. This will help you to retain your natural oils, preventing dry skin at the source. The Neighbourhood Botanicals Face Off cleanser is a great alternative to stripping face washes.

It’s also a good idea to add in products formulated for dry skin, especially facial oils. True Skincare’s Avocado and Evening Primrose Facial Oil is just what the doctor ordered!

A face scrub will help to get rid of skin flakes. We love UpCircle’s coffee face scrub in their citrus blend for this.


What causes dehydrated skin?

In contrast to dry skin, dehydrated skin isn’t caused by lack of oil, but by hydration levels in the skin. It usually means there is simply not enough water in the body.

What are the symptoms of dehydrated skin?

Key signs include dark circles, itchy skin and a generally dull complexion. 

What’s the solution for dehydrated skin?

Firstly, drink more water! This should heal your skin from the inside, out. Look for water-rich fruits and vegetables to add into your daily diet. Watermelon, strawberries, cucumber and lettuce are some great additions that will increase your overall hydration. Add in a hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin to lock in moisture, too, like the Evolve Hyaluronic Acid serum

Any more questions? Simply drop us a message on Instagram and we’d be more than happy to chat with you!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published