Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin: What's the Difference?

Your skin may feel tight, look a little dull, or seem rougher than usual, so you assume it's dry. That's a reasonable thought, but dryness isn't always the whole story. Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often talked about as if they're the same thing, even though there are some differences. Knowing what those differences are can make it a little easier to figure out what your skin may need.

One simple way to think about the difference is oil and water, although the two can overlap. Dry skin occurs when the skin loses too much water, and natural oils also play a role in helping the skin stay soft and protected. Skin that's dry may feel rough or tight and can be more prone to flaking.

The term dehydrated skin is often used when talking about a lack of water in the outer layer of the skin. This can be influenced by your environment, skincare habits, weather, and other factors. Because oil and water aren't the same thing, having oil on the surface doesn't necessarily tell you how much water the outer layer of your skin is holding onto.

Why Skin Can Become Dry

Some people naturally have drier skin than others, but skin can also become drier over time. As we age, the amount of sebum our skin produces tends to decrease. Sebum is one of the natural oils found on the skin's surface.

The environment can make a difference as well. Cold weather and low humidity can contribute to dry skin, and indoor heating can make matters worse. This is one reason skin may feel completely different in January than it does in July, even when you're using the same products.

Everyday habits can contribute too. Long, hot showers can strip oils from the skin, while harsh soaps and cleansers may leave it feeling dry or irritated.

Understanding Hydration and Moisture

We often use "hydrating" and "moisturizing" to describe the same thing, but skincare products can help the skin in different ways. Humectant ingredients attract and retain water in the outer layer of the skin, while emollients help soften and smooth its surface. Occlusive ingredients form a layer on the skin that helps reduce water loss.

This is one of the reasons aloe has been such an important ingredient at Absolutely Natural for more than 30 years. Human research has found that cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract can increase water content in the outer layer of the skin with regular use. For a lightweight facial moisturizer, we recommend our Renewing Lotion.

Where Facial Oil Fits into a Skincare Routine

Facial oils are sometimes described as hydrating products, but oils work differently than ingredients that attract and retain water. Oils can help soften the skin, while oily or occlusive ingredients can also help reduce water loss from its surface.

Our Organic Beauty Oil combines sunflower oil, grape seed oil, squalane, and jojoba oil in a multi-use formula that can be used on the face, arms, legs, or anywhere skin needs a little extra moisture. If you're using it on your face with a moisturizer, we like it as the final step in an evening routine. This also avoids having to think about how an oil may sit under makeup or other daytime products. It can also be used on its own, depending on what works best for you.

A facial oil and a moisturizer don't necessarily do the same job, which is why they can be used separately or together.

Keep the Routine Simple

If your skin suddenly starts feeling different, take a look at what you're already doing before changing your entire routine. Notice how your skin feels after cleansing, whether your moisturizer still feels like enough, and whether the weather or your environment has recently changed.

During the day, broad-spectrum sunscreen remains an important final step. If you're trying something new, introducing one product at a time can also make it easier to tell how your skin responds.

And don't forget about the skin below your neck. Regularly moisturizing areas like your arms, legs, hands, and feet can help keep skin soft and reduce moisture loss, especially after bathing or when the air is particularly dry. Applying moisturizer after a shower or bath, while the skin is still slightly damp, can also help hold onto some of that moisture.

Adjust Your Skincare as the Seasons Change

Moving from summer into fall is a good time to notice any changes. Humidity and temperatures shift, and indoor heating can make the air drier. Something as simple as adjusting your moisturizer or adding facial oil when your skin feels particularly dry may be enough.

Dry and dehydrated skin can look a lot alike, and there's some overlap between the two. Understanding a little more about water, natural oils, and how different moisturizing ingredients work can make it easier to understand what you're seeing and feeling. And sometimes a small adjustment is all your routine needs.