February 23, 2023

BLOG #10: Dry vs Dehydrated Skin

Dry and dehydrated skin share many common characteristics, however, they are actually quite different. What is the difference between dehydrated and dry skin, how to recognise it and how to treat it?

To simplify the answer: dry skin is lack of oils and dehydrated skin lack of water.

Dry skin- type of skin is laid genetically, however, its features can change throughout life under the influence of various circumstances. If we talk about genetics then most of the time you may experience dryness whole your life and not only on the face but the body as well.

Dehydrated skin is a condition that causes the skin to become dry due to a lack of water. It can happen to any skin type.

Oily skin reacts to the lack of moisture by increasing the secretion of sebum, so it is more oily and start to shine even more.

Normal skin: It becomes drier you can notice it visually and feel it by touching (rougher and starts to peel).

Dry becomes sensitive, and appears peeling and irritated. You may experience itchiness.

Factors from outside that cause dryness and dehydration I would day pretty much the same: hot water /hard water; steam/ sauna; wrong products; frequent flight; change of seasons; pollution; dry air/ Air-Conditioners; stress.

When we talk about those two skin issues, it is important to mention the skin barrier. It plays an important role (Stratum corneum). In it, corneocytes are embedded in an intercellular matrix composed of lipids and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) fundamental to retaining optimal skin hydration. So as soon as we have a deficit of these lipids, it makes our skin less protected, which brings to dryness and/or dehydration because our skin loose water and can't hold it. So for dry skin, if you put just your hydrating serum and/or cream in, it won't help.

Moreover, a damaged skin barrier helps the penetration of bacteria, allergens or irritants. So your skin can become more sensitive.

Can be skin dry and oily at the same time? -Yes. Most of the time we call it the mixed type of skin, when the T-zone is more oily, however, the rest is dry.

Dry skin: thicker creams rich in ceramides, lipids, fatty acids, and squalene. Quite often you may see glycerin as one of the ingredients. face oils can be added, but on top of your cream or instead. Non-foaming cleanser.

A diet rich with Omega 3 products.

Dehydrated skin: Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic Acid, Urea. For oily skin: don’t use very harsh cleansers.

Diet: less coffee/alcohol and salty products; more water.

Dry Skin products recommendation:

Cleanser: Biologique Recherche: Lait E.V

Mask: Biologique Recherche: Biosensible, Visolastine

Serum: Biologique Recherche: Colostrum VG, Amniotique VG ( for mixed skin) , T.E.W.L- oil on top of the cream

Cream: Biologique Recherche: VG derm, Dermo-RL, Cream Masque Vernix, Emulsion Originelle Regenerante, Emulsion gel biosensible S.R (for mixed skin)

iS clinical: Sheald Recovery Balm, Reparative Moisture Emulsion

Dehydrated skin products recommendation:

Mask: Biologique Recherche: Visolastine

iS clinical : Hydra-Intensive Cooling Masque