Everyone experiences skin dryness, but did you know that dry skin could be a result of dehydration?
Dry and dehydrated skin share many similarities in both symptoms and signs, and with our skins constantly undergoing changes, it can be difficult to determine how to classify our skins. So, what makes dry skin different from dehydrated skin? The answer lies in what your body and skin lacks.
Difference Between Dry Skin & Dehydrated Skin
Dry skin is a skin type caused by a lack of natural oils. When sebaceous glands on the skin fail to produce enough sebum, you’ll often experience itchiness, flakiness, redness, and irritation. We are all born with a skin type that can vary from person to person, therefore, it is possible to have naturally dry skin, though it can also come as a result of certain habits, health conditions, age, or the environment.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a condition that arises when there isn’t enough water in the body. If water loss is greater than water intake, the result can create symptoms similar to that of dry skin along with dullness, dark eye circles, or sunken eyes, regardless of skin type. Skin dehydration can be caused by a number of reasons, such as an underlying medical condition, excessive sweating, a poor diet, or simply not drinking enough water
How to Determine if Your Skin is Dry or Dehydrated
It can be easy to mistakenly label our skin dryness. A dermatologist can help you identify where your skin stands, however, there are some signs to look out for:
• If you have dry skin, you’ll experience recurring symptoms of dryness and typically won’t have any signs or oil or acne.
• With dehydrated skin, you may see sporadic signs of dryness, possibly with oil or acne, and dullness or dark eye circles.
How to Treat Dry & Dehydrated Skin
While having dry skin is more inevitable than dehydrated skin, there are some ways to keep them both at bay:
1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and after workouts.
2. Eat a healthy diet and include more fruits and vegetables.
3. Keep your skin moisturized. Use a light moisturizer during the warm seasons and a thicker moisturizer during the cold seasons.
4. Avoid caffeine as it can further irritate your skin and have a diuretic effect (or increase urination.)
Like all organs, your skin needs proper hydration. Whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, many of the symptoms can be remedied with a few simple lifestyle changes. Knowing the difference can help you determine which treatment best suits your needs and maintain the overall health and beauty of your skin.