Does your skin feel tight and ashy? Maybe you struggle with dull lifeless skin? Are you consuming plenty of water and yet not noticing a reduction in tightness? Or do you use heavy moisturizers only to still wake up with parched skin? The answer to all your confusion lies in learning to differentiate between hydration and moisture as well to understand what is dehydrated vs dry skin. Do not worry, we have you covered.
What is the difference between dehydrated vs dry skin?
Before attempting to understand the difference between moisture and hydration, it is necessary to first appreciate the nuances of the dry and dehydrated skin. Simply put, dehydrated skin has a very low water content while dry skin lacks the ability to maintain the hydration that is injected into it. Essentially, a lack of sebum (or oil) causes a break in the barrier between the skin and the atmosphere causing all the trapped water to escape.
There are sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles whose function is to produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that is naturally produced by skin to help protect and lubricate skin along with preventing dryness and aging (premature). In oily skin, there is an excess of sebum produced, whereas in the dry skin there is a lack of sebum.
Dehydrated skin is caused due to factors such as excessive caffeine intake, smoking, change in hormones, a particular diet or overall environmental factors. Dry skin is a 'skin type’ meaning that unlike dehydration, this is permanent. Each day steps have to be taken to reduce the ashy texture that results from dryness.
Even in the presence of moisturizing ingredients, dehydrated skin will look lackluster, dull, feel tight and have an abundance of prominent fine lines and wrinkles. It is skin that is lacking in water and hence needs to be adequately hydrated.
Dry skin, on the other hand, is flaky and has a rough texture. It needs to be replenished with oil. No matter how much moisture dehydrated skin receives, it will still feel tight and look dull. This is because although moisturizers will provide a smooth canvas they cannot quench the inner thirst of the skin. Similarly, no matter how much hydration is given to dry skin, it will remain rough and flaky. Once again, this is because water (i.e. hydration) will evaporate in the absence of an occlusive or emollient barrier.
Related
Difference Between Hydration & Moisture
The discussion about difference between hydration and moisture or what constitutes hydration and what is classified as moisturization...
