Is My Skin Dry or Dehydrated? Plus How to Treat Both
We often hear the words “dry” and “dehydrated” used interchangeably, but when it comes to skin, “dry skin” and “dehydrated skin” are not the same. Understanding the difference is key to choosing the right products and keeping your skin balanced, healthy and glowing. Let’s dive in.
The Difference Between Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin
In short, the difference between dry and dehydrated skin is simple but critical: dry skin is a skin type and dehydrated skin is a skin concern.
What Is Dry Skin?
- Skin type
- Lacks oils (lipids)
Cause: Often genetics or age Suitable Ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, niacinamide & omega fatty acids
Signs of Dry Skin
Appears: Flaky, bumpy & discolored Feels: Rough, flaky & sometimes cracked
What Is Dehydrated Skin?
- Skin concern that can affect all skin types, even oily or breakout-prone
- Lacks water
Cause: Stress, travel, over-cleansing or exfoliating, seasonal changes or climate Suitable Ingredients: Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin & osmolytes
Signs of Dehydrated Skin
Appears: Dull & wrinkle-prone Feels: Tight, parched & sometimes oily
What Is the Difference Between Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin Treatment
Because they’re inherently different, when you treat dehydration like dryness (or vice versa), you can strip the skin further, disrupt its barrier and prevent it from functioning at its best. According to Perricone MD’s Head of Education, Rosalba Martone, here’s how to properly care for your skin, whether dry or dehydrated.
How to Treat Dry Skin Effectively
STEP 1: Neuropeptide The Cleansing Balm
Formulated with a nourishing blend of omega fatty acids, this rich cleansing balm gently yet effectively melts away dirt, impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. It replenishes essential lipids as you wash, helping to support the skin barrier and combat dryness. Skin is left feeling deeply nourished, soft and supple with a healthy, radiant glow after every rinse.
STEP 2:High Potency Chia Oil
This fatty acid-packed formula features a vitamin F blend, including flax, chia and macadamia seed oils, in a ratio that mirrors your skin’s natural lipids. It works to reinforce the moisture barrier, helping protect against dryness while supporting repair and recovery. With continued use, your driest skin will be nourished and resilient, appearing smoother, more supple and naturally radiant.
Since we know dry skin lacks ceramides, it’s critical to replenish them with an ultra-restorative moisturizer that prioritizes barrier support. This formula’s organic olive-oil derived ceramide complex delivers firmer, smoother-looking skin by intensely moisturizing, replenishing and strengthening to soothe and condition even the most sensitive skin.
How to Treat Dehydrated Skin Effectively
Gently remove dirt, impurities and excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. This sulfate-free formula helps protect the skin’s moisture barrier, which is critical for preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) — a key contributor to dehydrated skin. The result is skin that feels clean, balanced, and comfortably hydrated post-cleanse, never tight or dry.
Rich in hyaluronic acid (HA), this serum tackles dehydration directly by drawing water to the skin. Designed to replenish and bind moisture, it helps restore hydration levels without adding heaviness. Because dehydration can affect all skin types (including oily), this lightweight treatment is perfect for all. It absorbs quickly, feels breathable and leaves skin balanced and comfortable. What’s more? It features not one but four forms of HA, plus two essential building blocks of this powerful humectant to help replenish the skin’s natural HA reserves, restoring optimal hydration.
Another leading cause of dehydrated skin is daily exposure to environmental aggressors (including extreme temperatures), which weaken the skin barrier and accelerate moisture loss. This multi-tasking moisturizer is powered by copper tripeptide, a naturally occurring, brilliant-blue complex of three amino acids that help defend skin against environmental stressors while supporting resilience. Working in synergy with a hydra-osmolyte blend of beetroot and adzuki bean extracts, it selectively regulates water balance to deliver continuous, all-day hydration while restoring skin’s equilibrium. Enhanced by MICROSPERSE®, a patented technology from Leading Edge Innovations, it ensures the stable delivery of highly potent active ingredients, resulting in superior performance.
There you have it. Now that you’ve determined whether you’re dealing with dry or dehydrated skin, you’re well on your way to treating it accordingly. Next steps? Adopting one of the above expert-approved, science-backed regimens to reveal your healthiest, most radiant complexion yet — yes, even in winter.
