If you have fallen down the skincare rabbit hole in any capacity over the course of your lifetime, you have probably figured out the two fundamental truths of having great skin:
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Throwing everything on your face out of sheer curiosity will not improve your skin (more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to skincare), and
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Figuring out the root of the problem is the secret to solving it.
Basically, what these two pillars mean is that sticking to a routine and relying on hydrating products and treatments are the keys to improving your overall skin health, no matter what your specific concerns may be. At the end of the day, having an effective ingredient list and five hero products is better than having twenty products with ‘meh’ filler ingredients.
This is particularly true when you are dealing with dry or dehydrated skin, because while these may appear similar in theory, they are actually very different below the surface. Dehydrated skin may appear okay on face value, but the water content is low, which will contribute to exacerbating fine lines and making the skin feel dull. You may also be seeing congestion (which can present as those tiny bumps on the skin).
Now, on the other side of the coin, you can picture your dry skin kind of like a sponge that has been left out in the sun to bake. Dry skin happens when your skin doesn’t create enough natural oils, and it basically loses its ability to function (not great). Seems simple enough, right? Well, maybe not. The best course of action is to avoid dry skin in the first place because it's easier to prevent than it is to turn back the clock, but of course, this isn’t always possible. Whether it happens as a result of ageing, genetics, smoking, or even just having a few too many piping hot showers, once dry skin happens, it can be hard to treat, but not impossible.
So let’s dive into dry vs dehydrated skin, what they mean, and most importantly, how to treat them.
What is dehydrated skin?
Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is dehydrated skin, and how do you know if you have it?
In layman's terms, dehydrated skin happens when there is a lack of water. Just like our bodies, our skin stores and retains water, and also like our bodies, when we don’t get enough water, our skin gets dehydrated, too. And it might shock you to hear that this can actually happen to all skin types (yes, even those with oily or combination skin). Dehydrated skin is usually noticeable by a dull appearance, and can start to show premature signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
With dehydrated skin, you may also notice dark under-eye circles, dullness, more sensitivity, and even itchiness. A great way to determine whether your skin is dry or dehydrated is by using the pinch test, which, while not scientifically definitive, is a great place to start.
What is the pinch test?
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Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek and hold it for a few seconds.
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If your skin snaps back, you’re likely not dehydrated and more likely to be dry.
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If it takes a few moments to bounce back, this could be an indication that your skin is dehydrated.
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Repeat it on any other areas of your skin as you like, for example, your chest, back or the back of your hand.
How to treat dehydrated skin
If you read the above and relate, then you may be experiencing dehydrated skin. The first port of call: stick to a routine. Reach or stock up on hydrating products and treatments with these ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, lipids, fermented plant stuff and glycerin. It also pays to have a few devices on hand, and the LED Facial Mask is absolutely one to get on your roster if you don’t have it already. Here is an example of what your skincare routine may look like if you are suffering from dehydrated skin:
First, a creamy cleanser
Some people can be (foolishly) dismissive of how important a good cleanser is to your overall skin goals, but don’t fall into this trap. The first step in your routine is equally as important as the last. Murad’s latest addition to its lineup, the Murad Lipid-Enriched Double Cleansing Balm, is one of the more luxe versions of cleansing balms on the market. Think of it as a creamy sorbet that glides on your skin, snatching away all your makeup, dirt and SPF and then rinsing off cleanly. The twist-up grinder dispenser also means that there is zero mess and zero waste. And most importantly, it improves the skin barrier, replenishing and strengthening the skin rather than stripping moisture away.
Powder exfoliant
We’ve become huge fans of powder exfoliants for dehydrated skin because you can tweak the strength to strong with just a little bit of water, or subtle by adding lots of water to make it more of a lathery cleanser. The Skinsmiths Enzyme Polishing Powder is perfect for this, working to gently exfoliate your way to a healthy, glowing complexion by dissolving the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells together.
Hydrating toner
Yes, toner is important, and yes, you should be using one. The Murad Hydrating Toner is one of those deceptively simple steps that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting. This ultra-fine mist is completely alcohol-free, meaning it hydrates rather than strips, and works to rebalance your skin’s pH while sweeping away any leftover impurities post-cleanse
Nourishing serum
Serums are the heavy lifters of the skincare world, and this is no different when you are treating dehydrated skin. The Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum is one of those hybrid formulas that feels luxe but is also incredibly functional, targeting all the tell-tale signs of dehydrated, stressed-out skin in one step.
Comforting moisturiser
The Murad Intense Recovery Cream is like the standard of what a good moisturiser should be. It will guide you through retinol testing phases, a little too much exfoliating phases, and even the crispest of winters. It honestly feels like a creamy blanket that seals in all that hard work that has come before it while also leaving your skin dewy and plump.
What is dry skin?
Now, dry skin, on the other hand, isn’t related to your water retention. Unlike dehydrated skin, which is categorised as a skin condition, dry skin is a skin type like combination or oily. When the skin lacks oils, lipids, and hydration, the skin can appear flaky and dry. If you have a dry skin type, you might notice a scaly appearance, flakes, redness, and in some cases, psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis.
How to treat dry skin
Basically, if dehydrated skin is all about water, dry skin is all about oil. This is where we stop chasing hydration alone and start focusing on rebuilding the skin barrier, replenishing lipids and locking everything in so your skin can actually function properly again.
The truth is, all the expensive lotions and potions in the world won’t make an iota of a difference if your barrier is compromised, so the focus needs to be on barrier-repairing ingredients that will get your glow back.
Gentle cleanser
When your skin is dry, the last thing you need is that tight, stripped feeling after you cleanse. Go for something that simultaneously nourishes and cleanses, like the Murad Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser. Instead of that squeaky-clean finish, your skin will be left calm, soft and properly supported.
Strategic exfoliation
When your skin is dry its really easy to want to exfoliate it back to submission. But, while exfoliation is still important when your skin is dry, restraint is key. Over-exfoliating (contrary to popular belief) is actually one of the quickest ways to strip away the lipids your skin is already lacking.
So instead of frequent acids or harsh scrubs, keep things gentle and occasional. The Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, once or twice a week, will serve you well here.
Barrier-repairing serums
This is where you can really start to rebuild your skin barrier. Rather than lightweight, water-only formulas, dry skin benefits from serums that both hydrate and support repair. The Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Serum is essentially a fast-track treatment to achieving all of the above, working at repairing the skin on a deeper level rather than just softening things at the surface.
What makes this formula particularly impressive is how quickly it gets to work. Powered by biomimetic Hexapeptide-9, it helps reinforce the skin barrier and reduce water loss, while bilberry seed oil replenishes essential fatty acids, and a network of hyaluronic acid continuously delivers moisture throughout the day.
A rich, lipid-replenishing moisturiser
Dry skin and moisturiser are like the Bonnie and Clyde of the skincare world. Having a good moisturiser when your skin is dry is crucial because it will work to replenish what your skin is missing, namely lipids like ceramides and fatty acids, while also locking in hydration.
The Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream is exactly that. It works to restore the skin’s natural barrier, helping to reduce moisture loss and improve overall comfort. Skin feels softer, stronger and far more resilient with continued use. Don’t be afraid to be generous!
SPF
And of course, no matter what type of skin you have, SPF in the morning is the most important step that you can take for your skin. Trust us, the long-term benefits of wearing SPF every day far outweigh the effort involved in making it part of your daily routine. Whether you want to prevent wrinkles, reduce pigmentation or treat dry or dehydrated skin, we are confident that sunscreen will help you get there.
So, if you are ready to wave ta-ta to dry and dehydrated skin and you still have some burning questions we didn’t answer in this blog, try stopping by your local Caci Clinic and speaking to one of our expert staff. They will be able to point you in the right direction, skincare and treatment-wise and build a plan that works for you and your skin.
