When it comes to our skin, we often use the terms dry and dehydrated as if they are one and the same—but truth be told, they’re vastly different. And in terms of management, each concern requires a slightly different approach.

The first step however, is to understand their core differences—and determine if your skin requires nourishment because it’s dry, dehydrated, or perhaps, both.

Dry Skin

Widely accepted as a common skin ‘type’, dry skin is characterised by a lack of elasticity and can feel flaky, tight, itchy or rough to touch. This is because with dry skin, the delicate skin barrier is often damaged or impaired, due to a lack of lipids—the natural fats present in sebum—which help your skin to retain moisture and simultaneously protect it from environmental assault. Given dry skin also generally produces less sebum, the complexion can also appear dull as these natural oils play an essential role in supporting the integrity of the skin barrier, keeping skin moisturised, plump, smooth and healthy.

Dehydrated Skin

While dry skin is a ‘type’, in contrast, dehydrated skin is considered to be more of a temporary skin ‘issue’ related to a lack of water in the skin, rather than a lack of oil. Often caused by the impacts of environmental assault (like UV light, air conditioning or indoor heating) which can strip the moisture away from the top layer of our skin—or, lifestyle factors like diet and exercise which cause the skin to experience excess water loss. On the surface, dehydrated skin usually appears flat, dull or lacklustre.

How to care for dry or dehydrated skin

While the core triggers from dry and dehydrated skin may differ, there are undoubtedly commonalities between the two. In fact, those with dry skin also often experience dehydration as ‘dryness’ can increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and exacerbate dehydration. As a result, both dry and dehydrated skin requires a holistic approach—considering effective topical treatments as well as lifestyle factors that can help support skin health.

Step 1: Be mindful about your skincare

A consistent daily skincare routine can help ameliorate symptoms of dry and dehydrated skin—but incorporating products that hydrate (locking in moisture) and simultaneously moisturise (locking in lipids) is key. Ingredients to look for include:

• Hyaluronic acid: Found in our Peptides+ Multi-Action Serum, hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, helping to lock moisture into thirsty skin, immediately plumping and firming.
• Yucca: Naturally-rich in plant saponins, yucca helps to gently cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural protective oils. Find it in our Recovery Face Cleansing Creme.
• White flannel flower: The secret to this nutrient-rich Australian ingredient are its high levels of glycosides which not only support the skin’s ability to assimilate and utilise vital ingredients, but they also boost hydration by binding onto water molecules. Find it in our Phyto+ Antioxidant Day Creme.
• Essential fatty acids: As dry skin lacks lipids, it needs a hefty dose of moisturising essential fatty acids to help stay strong, supple and protected from the effects of environmental stressors. Our Baobab & Neroli Face Oil is packed with omega 3, 6 and 9 which work synergisitically to moisturise and protect the skin’s natural barrier. The beauty of this multi-tasking oil is that it's also non-comedogenic, meaning it will nourish skin, firm and boost elasticity, without clogging pores.

Step 2: Stay hydrated

No matter your skin type, ensuring you stay well hydrated is key for glowing, resilient skin—as well as our overall health. And while this is in no way new advice, it’s important to understand how consuming enough water helps to support our body’s overall hydration levels—as well as the deep hydration of our skin, too. 

Step 3: Avoid extreme fluctuations in temperature

Both dry and dehydrated skin types are influenced by environmental factors, so doing your best to avoid extreme fluctuations in temperature can help to minimise symptoms. While a scalding hot shower or bath may feel relaxing at first, the truth is hot water strips skin of its natural oils and exacerbates the stress-skin cycle (which can be particularly damaging for those who have dry skin sensitivities such as eczema or psoriasis). Similarly, prolonged periods spent in air conditioned environments can also contribute to more dehydrated skin.

Step 4: De-stress

The intimate link between stress and our skin is well-researched and shows that when we’re stressed, we’re also more prone to skin issues including sensitivities and eczema as our immune system becomes more compromised. Not only that, but stress can exacerbate skin dryness and dehydration as it impairs our skin’s ability to store and maintain its natural water balance. Mindfulness and meditation are both practices that are proven to help reduce stress, but incorporating the power of rituals into your self-care routine can also help ameliorate stress on a daily basis. To discover your perfect ritual, take our quick quiz here!