Difference Between Dry Skin And Dehydrated Skin

The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin can be tricky. To help you understand the differences well, I have also written a question-and-answer section towards the end of this post. Make sure you go through that section as well.

Let us start with the differences between dry and dehydrated skin:

Dry
Skin

Dry skin is a skin type.

What is skin type?
There are four skin types: Dry, Normal, Combination, and Oily. We are all born with one of these skin types. Our skin type stays with us forever.

Dry skin lacks oil.

The oil on the skin is also called sebum.
The right amount of sebum is needed for the skin to prevent water loss and breakouts. Because dry skin lacks sebum, it is prone to breakouts and moisture loss.

Dry skin feels dry all over.

Since dry skin can lose excessive moisture, dry skin is prone to becoming dehydrated.

We cannot fix dry skin. Dry skin is a skin type we are born with.

All four skin types have their own set of pros and cons. We need to use skincare products with the right ingredients for each skin type so that the cons of that skin type are in control.

Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition.

What is a skin condition?
Skin condition happens when it becomes deficient in one or more key ingredients.

Dehydrated skin lacks water.

Any skin, irrespective of its skin type, be it oily, dry, combination, or normal, can lose an excessive amount of moisture and become dehydrated.

Dehydrated skin is usually flaky – not all over the face – but in small portions of the face.

Makeup, when applied on dehydrated skin, will settle in creases.

If you pinch dehydrated skin and let it go, it will take the skin longer than usual to fall back to its original place. It takes longer than expected because it lacks the elasticity and suppleness that hydration can provide.

We can fix dehydrated skin by using skincare products with the right ingredients.

We can also prevent dehydrated skin by regularly using skincare products with the right hydrating ingredients.

Once you have read the details in the table above, see if you understand these questions and answers:

Dry skin can become dehydrated.
Correct.

Dehydrated skin can become dry.
Wrong. Dry skin is the skin type you are born with. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition that one can get irrespective of their skin type.

Oily skin can become dehydrated.
Correct.

Dehydrated skin lacks water.
Correct.

Dehydrated skin can be fixed if you use the right hydrating ingredients.
Correct.

Even if the skin is not dehydrated, it is important to use hydrating skincare ingredients.
Correct.

Dry skin is more prone to becoming dehydrated.
Correct.