Dry or Dehydrated?
Is your skin naturally on the dry side or is it dehydrated? Determining which is important in providing your skin with the product(s) needed. At first glance, "˜dry' and "˜dehydrated' seem like two words to describe the same thing. But when it comes to skincare, they are completely different concerns with different underlying causes.
DRY SKIN
"Dry" is a skin type related to oil production. If your skin is genetically predisposed to produce less than adequate oils, then you are likely going to have chronically dry skin. As we age, our natural hydrating oils (sebum) levels drop.
Characteristic signs of dry skin:
- Feels rough
- Appears dry
- Can be flaky
DEHYDRATED SKIN
Dehydrated" is a skin condition related to the water content of skin cells. It is associated with a crepiness or small lines that form when skin is manipulated. Common causes are mostly lifestyle based, including smoking, certain medications, a diet high in salt or caffeine as well as seasonal changes and environmental factors such as heating and cooling systems. It is also a good indication you are not drinking enough water each day.
Characteristic signs of dehydrated skin:
- Looks dull
- Feels tight
- Feels rough
- Is sensitive
- Shows fine lines
- Shows accelerated signs of ageing, like sagging skin and deep wrinkles
Top 5 lifestyle recommendations for dehydrated skin:
- Use sun protection
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Eat a balanced diet
- Drink a lot of water
Skin is the largest organ in our bodies, so it is very important to use top-quality ingredient to keep your skin hydrated. Apply moisturizers or serums that contain fragmented hyaluronic acid, which is especially good for keeping water in the skin. For dehydrated skin, the focus is less on oils and more on restoring hydration, preferably with water-based lotions. Humectants are also good for dehydrated skin because they attract moisture from the atmosphere without breakout-causing oil. Look for non-comedogenic lotions with Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid or Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). AHAs are great because they not only lock in moisture, but they also slough away skin-dulling debris that can clog pores.
Other ingredients you want to look for in your skin care lotion:
- Niacinamide, a potent form of vitamin B-3 that is a multifunctional approach to both dryness and dehydration by boosting ceramides and fatty acids.
- Acetyl hexapeptide-37 is a powerful skin tool. It's a protein found naturally in the skin and it regulates the way hydration moves between the basal layers of the skin.
$88.00$74.80