Dehydrated vs. Dry Skin: How to Tell the Difference and What to Do

How to Tell if Your Skin’s Dehydrated (And What to Do About It)

Dehydration is a common issue many of us experience, often manifesting through symptoms like fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and muscle cramps. While we all recognize these signs, recognizing dehydrated skin is not always as straightforward. Skin dehydration can be easy to overlook since its symptoms share many similarities with dry skin. However, while the terms “dry” and “dehydrated” are frequently used interchangeably, they refer to distinct skin conditions, each with its unique causes and treatments.

In this guide, we delve deeper into what dehydrated skin really means, how it differs from dry skin, the telltale signs to watch for, and most importantly, what steps you can take to address and prevent it. With insights from dermatologists Gloria Lin, MD, and Melanie Palm, MD, we will help you understand everything you need to know to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

What Is Dehydrated Skin?

At its core, “dehydrated” skin refers to a lack of water in the skin, as opposed to dry skin, which is typically caused by a deficiency of oils or lipids. Dehydration happens when the body loses more water than it takes in, leading to a shortage of moisture in the skin and other parts of the body. The body constantly loses water throughout the day through various natural processes like breathing, sweating, urinating, and even through the moisture evaporation of the skin. When these water losses aren’t replenished through proper hydration, the skin begins to show signs of dehydration.

Several factors can contribute to dehydrated skin, and they are more common than you might think:

Not Drinking Enough Water: One of the most obvious causes of dehydrated skin is insufficient water intake. Your body relies on daily hydration to maintain moisture levels in the skin, and when that balance is disrupted, dehydration sets in. People who fail to drink enough water throughout the day are at a higher risk for experiencing dehydrated skin.

Not Moisturizing Properly: While drinking water is essential, hydration on the inside isn’t always enough. For individuals with a compromised skin barrier, external moisture in the form of a good moisturizer is essential. Without adequate moisturizing, water can easily evaporate from the skin’s surface, contributing to dehydration.

Hot and Dry Climates: Environmental factors also play a significant role in the dehydration of your skin. People living in hot, arid environments or even in regions with harsh winters tend to lose more moisture from their skin due to dry air. Indoor heating in the winter can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin’s surface, leading to increased dehydration.

Hot Showers and Harsh Skin Products: Frequently taking hot showers or baths, using strong skincare products, and over-exfoliating the skin can strip the skin’s natural oils and disrupt the moisture barrier, worsening dehydration.

While these are common causes of dehydrated skin, other contributing factors include lack of sleep and stress, both of which can have a significant impact on the skin’s hydration levels.

What Are the Signs of Dehydrated Skin?

Identifying dehydrated skin requires you to look beyond simple dryness. While dry skin tends to appear rough and flaky due to a lack of oils, dehydrated skin has a different set of symptoms. Here are the key signs of dehydrated skin to watch for:

Tightness and Rough Texture: Dehydrated skin often feels tight, uncomfortable, and rough to the touch. It may have a dry, flaky appearance, particularly around the cheeks and forehead.

Dullness: Skin that is lacking water typically looks dull and lackluster. Healthy, well-hydrated skin has a natural glow, but dehydration can cause the skin to look tired and lifeless.

Itchiness: Dehydrated skin can be itchy due to the lack of moisture, especially when it becomes excessively dry or flaky.

More Pronounced Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Dehydrated skin often results in the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin’s inability to hold moisture can exacerbate the appearance of these lines, particularly around the eyes and mouth.

Dark Circles Under the Eyes: Dehydration can contribute to the appearance of dark circles, making the skin under your eyes appear darker and more tired.

Compromised Skin Barrier: Dehydrated skin may also exhibit a weakened skin barrier. This can make the skin more susceptible to irritation, redness, and other issues like eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

Additionally, dehydration is a full-body issue. You may experience general signs of dehydration such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and dry mouth, which can indicate that the body is lacking essential moisture and fluids.

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin: Understanding the Difference

Although “dry” and “dehydrated” are often used interchangeably, they are two different conditions:

Dry Skin: Dry skin is a skin type that you are born with. It occurs when the skin lacks sebum (natural oils) that normally lubricate and protect the skin. Dry skin is a chronic condition and typically requires moisture-rich products like oils and creams to restore balance. Dry skin can become more pronounced with age as sebum production naturally declines.

Dehydrated Skin: On the other hand, dehydrated skin is a temporary condition caused by a lack of water in the skin, rather than a deficiency in oils. This can happen to any skin type—whether your skin is oily, combination, or dry. Dehydrated skin can be reversed by hydrating from within and using water-based skincare products.

A simple way to test whether your skin is dehydrated is to pinch a small area of skin on the back of your hand. If the skin takes a few moments to bounce back to its normal position, it’s likely that your skin is dehydrated.

How to Treat Dehydrated Skin

If you’re dealing with dehydrated skin, there are several steps you can take to restore moisture and improve the health of your skin. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to treat dehydrated skin:

Stay Hydrated: The most important first step in treating dehydrated skin is to increase your water intake. Aim for at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, but this amount can vary depending on your activity levels, body size, and climate. In addition to water, consider drinking beverages with added electrolytes to help your body retain the moisture and minerals it needs.

Get Enough Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for skin health. Sleep allows your skin to repair itself and retain moisture more effectively. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night to support skin hydration.

Moisturize Regularly: To lock in moisture, use a good moisturizer after showering or cleansing your face. Look for products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, or squalane, which help to repair the skin barrier and prevent water loss.

Re-evaluate Your Skincare Routine: Some skincare products can contribute to dehydrated skin, especially those with harsh chemicals, drying agents, or excessive exfoliating properties. If you’re using products that might be aggravating your skin, consider switching to gentler formulations while you focus on restoring hydration.

Use a Humidifier: If you live in a dry climate or use indoor heating during the winter months, adding a humidifier to your environment can help maintain moisture levels in your skin. A humidifier helps keep the air around you hydrated, which in turn helps prevent moisture loss from your skin.

Eat Hydrating Foods: In addition to drinking plenty of water, eating hydrating foods can also support your skin’s hydration. Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries are great choices as they are high in water content.

Final Takeaway

If your skin is dehydrated, it may appear dull, flaky, and have more noticeable fine lines. It can feel tight, itchy, and may even develop dark circles under your eyes. The best way to treat dehydrated skin is by increasing your water intake, using hydrating skincare products, and making adjustments to your skincare routine. Additional measures such as using a humidifier and ensuring you get enough rest will also help restore hydration and maintain a healthy, glowing complexion.

By recognizing the signs of dehydration early and taking steps to rehydrate, you can bring your skin back to life and maintain a healthy, youthful glow. Whether you’re dealing with occasional dehydration or chronic dryness, these strategies can be key to achieving and maintaining optimal skin health.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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