For the longest time, we have always known that the main skin types were acne prone, oily, normal, combination and dry. However, there’s another category called dehydrated skin which is vastly different from dry skin. Wondering what the difference is? We asked some leading skin experts to shed light on it.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dr Geetika Mittal, Founder and Medical Director at ISAAC Luxe, Delhi, explains it succinctly. “To put it simply, dry skin is a skin type. Dehydrated skin can happen to varying skin types: dry, oily skin, combination or even sensitive skin. These two are not synonymous.” Adds Paula Begoun, founder of the famed skincare line Paula’s Choice, “Dehydrated skin feels and looks dry and flaky, but it tends to come and go regardless of the season. Dehydrated skin is often accompanied with oily skin. Truly dry skin is never oily and rarely has open pores.”
How does one distinguish if one has dry or dehydrated skin:
An easy way to identify if you have dry skin is by determining how your skin feels after washing it. “If your skin feels stretchy, you mostly have dry skin. Like I said dry skin is a skin type: so as soon as you know that, you can invest in a skincare routine that helps tackle it. Dehydrated skin includes dullness, tired-looking skin as well as signs of ageing. UV exposure has a part to play in this too,” adds Dr Geetika.
What causes dehydrated skin?
We love our chemical exfoliators but did you know that using them frequently can lead to dehydrated skin? Other factors that lead to dehydrated skin include: “diet, pollution, excessive alcohol, thankful it is just temporary,” reveals Delhi -based dermat, Dr Simal Soin, Founder AAYNA Clinic.
How do I treat dehydrated and dry skin?
Now that you have identified what skin category you have, you need to think about treatment. Paula has this sage advice, “For both dry and dehydrated skin, it’s important to eliminate any skin care products that make it worse. This includes skin-aggravating ingredients like alcohol, witch hazel, lemon, menthol, or fragrances (synthetic or essential oils) that leave skin inflamed and dry. The same goes for any abrasive scrubs which tear at skin, damaging the surface layers that robs skin of moisture.” Dr Simal recommends those with dehydrated skin to use non-comedogenic makeup so that the pores are not clogged.
Here’s hoping you take care of your skin during lockdown!
