Dry Skin Versus Dehydrated Skin – What's the Difference?

When it comes to effectively moisturising your dried-out body and face, you might be overlooking one important step: figuring out whether you’re dealing with dry skin or dehydrated skin. 

They may sound like the same problem, but there are subtle differences, and mistaking one for the other could be the reason why you’re not seeing the relief you hoped for.

To start with their similarities: both dryness and dehydration have numerous symptoms in common, including tightness, itchiness, and flaking.

Technically, though, the biggest distinction comes down to their specific causes. Naturally dry skin has less active oil glands and, therefore, lower sebum production, leading to an ongoing need for moisture. Dehydrated skin, meanwhile, can still produce oil: it’s really about lacking water.

Still confused about the distinction? You’re not alone, and to complicate things further, it’s possible to have both, given that the lack of oils can make it harder for your body to retain water and stay hydrated. Knowing the difference is important for choosing the right skincare treatments. Here are a few ways to tell them apart:

Dry skin is more chronic, while dehydration is temporary

What causes dry skin?

If your skin is always parched, no matter the season, chances are you’re dealing with dry skin. Like oily or sensitive skin, dry skin is a skin type. More specifically, it happens when your skin naturally doesn’t produce enough oil or lacks key lipids (as seen in more severe conditions like eczema) – both of which are essential for maintaining a strong moisture barrier, the skin’s protective outer layer that keeps irritants out and hydration in.

For the most part, whether or not you have dry skin often comes down to genetics. Your oil glands just don’t produce a significant amount of oil, and that’s not necessarily reversible. However, hormonal changes during menopause or simply ageing, as well as chronic conditions (like eczema), also play a role.

What causes dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, isn’t something you’re born with. Rather, it’s an acute condition that occurs when your skin loses water. This could be due to:

• Cold, dry weather

• Sweating

• Not drinking enough water

• Overusing strong actives (like exfoliating acids and retinol, which can potentially weaken your barrier)

All of these factors can worsen dryness too, but the point is that dehydration really isn’t chronic – it’s largely influenced by external factors.

Dehydrated skin can feel very tight yet still look greasy

Why does dehydrated skin feel tight but look oily?

Even if your skin feels thirsty and stiff, it might look shiny in areas like your T-zone if dehydration is the issue. Since dehydration isn’t tied to your skin type, anyone, even those with oily or combination skin, can experience water loss. It could be that your body compensates for the missing hydration by producing excess oil in response – though research on this connection is still evolving.

The difference between oil and hydration

The reason that your oily skin still feels tight when it’s dehydrated is that oil can help prevent further water loss, but it doesn’t add hydration. That’s why dry skin tends to appear rough, cracked, and flaky, while dehydrated skin has that parched, chapped sensation you’d normally associate with dryness – plus an unexpected sheen.

Dry skin will still be plump and elastic

The pinch test for dehydration

Gently pinch the skin on the back of your hand, hold it for three seconds, and then let go. Normally, it should immediately snap back to its original position, even if you have dry skin. However, if that 'bounce back' effect is noticeably slower, it could be a more general indication that you’re dehydrated – which could suggest the skin on your face is lacking moisture too.

Why water, not oil, affects skin elasticity

Water, not sebum, is what gives skin its elasticity and plumpness. Oil is a lubricant that affects texture, meaning it helps prevent roughness and flakiness, but it won’t do much for elasticity.

Dehydrated skin can make fine lines more noticeable

How dehydration affects fine lines

Another thing that can happen when your skin loses elasticity is that fine lines, particularly around the eyes, become more defined. Without the plumpness and natural volume that water provides, the skin can appear thinner, making those creases a little more visible than usual.

The good news – dehydration lines are reversible

The good news, though, is that these dehydration-related lines (unlike deeper wrinkles from ageing) should go away once you replenish moisture, whether by drinking more water or using the right topical products.

Dehydrated skin needs water-based ingredients, while dry skin needs richer moisturisers

The best ingredients for dehydrated skin

Certain ingredients work better for dry skin as opposed to dehydrated skin. For instance, treating dehydrated skin with heavy, oil-based products may not be as effective. It’s not that they’ll make things worse; it’s just that for dehydration specifically, water retention should be the goal. So, it makes more sense to lean on water-attracting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.

Fortunately for you, Oleo can come to the rescue with our extremely effective Resilience High Performance Moisturiser. This contains a generous amount of hyaluronic acid, plus plant-based collagen to maintain your skin's elastic fibres.

The best ingredients for dry skin

For dry skin, though, lightweight formulas usually aren’t enough to replenish lost oils. Hydration is helpful, but sealing moisture in is key for dryness. In this case, you’d want thicker formulas containing emollients (which soften and smooth) and occlusives (to lock in moisture).

Ingredients to look out for include shea butter and squalane. You will be spoilt for choice here, as Oleo produces some incredible moisturisers for your dry skin. Choose from our squalane-rich Frankincense Supreme Moisturiser or perhaps our ever-popular Replenishing Facial Moisturiser, rich in wheatgerm and rosehip seed oil. This is packed with emollients to quench your dry skin and leave it feeling fresh and comfortable.

What if you have both dry and dehydrated skin?

If you happen to be cursed with the double whammy of dryness and dehydration (or just can’t tell which one’s causing you trouble), layering all three – humectants, emollients, and occlusives – can work in tandem to pull in water and lock in oils.

Oleo skincare solutions for dry and dehydrated skin

Face care

Dry or dehydrated, you can't go wrong with our Healthy Ageing Facial Serum. It helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, restores the skin’s natural suppleness and radiance, helps maintain elasticity in skin that has lost its tone, and improves skin hydration.

Bursting with rich, natural plant oils to nourish and soften dry skin, our Dry Skin Facial Oil has the added bonus of being infused with the sublime aromas of rejuvenating rose and neroli essential oils.

Body care

Of course, dry and/or dehydrated skin is not necessarily restricted to your face. The rest of your body may well be crying out for moisture and hydration. To combat these flaky areas, try Oleo's Blissful Body Cream, crammed with plant-based emollient oils of coconut, sweet almond, and sunflower, and occlusives from jojoba oil and cetyl alcohol to lock in that moisture.

For extremely dry and dehydrated skin on your body, relief can be found in our Massage Balms. These act as an exceptionally effective tool for overcoming parched skin. Rich coconut and olive oils provide moisture, while occlusive rice bran wax prevents that moisture from escaping. You also have a variety of therapeutic essential oil blends to choose from.

No matter what’s behind that tight, chapped feeling, though, it’s important to cut back on harsh actives and focus on being gentle with your skin. The entire Oleo vegan skincare range gently cares for your skin. After all, there’s no point in loading up on the best moisturisers if you’re sabotaging your efforts with potentially stripping formulas.

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