If your skin has been feeling different lately, if it’s feeling like it doesn’t retain its usual smoothness and moisture, or has even been flaky as of late, then you should make sure that you don’t just ignore it. Changes to the skin can happen for a lot of reasons but there is always a way to soothe them, and doing so can prevent them from getting worse, especially if they’re causing pain or sensitivity.
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are both common, but they’re also commonly misunderstood and mixed up. Here, we’re going to look at the differences between the two, and what you can do about them.
Dry skin is a skin type, not a condition
While dehydrated skin is a condition that is usually temporary, dry skin is a skin type, meaning that it’s likely to last you a lot longer. There are many things that can cause dry skin, such as age, changes in hormones (due to pregnancy, menopause, and the like), or even the climate that you live in. Both excess humidity and excess humidity can contribute to dry skin. As such, with dry skin, you typically want to treat it as you would a chronic condition, managing it and taking care around it, but don’t expect to stop it. Follow a skin type test to see if you have dry skin.
How do you know if you have dehydrated skin?
Unlike dry skin, which is not technically a skin condition, dehydrated skin certainly is. In fact, it’s one of the more common skin conditions, especially in the summer. The causes of dehydrated skin are the same as a lot of the contributing factors. Typically, overexposure to the sun, low humidity leading to low moisture in the skin, and a lack of hydration, in general, are going to lead to dehydrated skin. If your skin is suddenly duller, and itchy, and you have shadows around your face, there’s a good chance it’s dehydration that you’re dealing with.
What to do about dry skin
If you have dry skin, then you shouldn’t think about trying to “cure” it. It’s a skin type, not a condition. There is a chance that your skin type can change over time, but it’s not something you should actively expect. Instead, you should mitigate the issues that dry skin can cause. Calendula can be very effective for dry skin, as well as some of the conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as eczema. You should be mindful of the temperatures that you expose your skin to, as overly hot baths and showers are likely to worsen its symptoms. Aim for fragrance-free skin care products, as well, as dry skin tends to be on the more sensitive side.
How to cure dehydrated skin
If your skin is dehydrated, rather than dry, however, then you do have every opportunity to rid yourself of it. The single best solution is to hydrate it, of course. Drinking water is all well and good, but that’s not the only way to hydrate your skin. A good, natural moisturizer and skin care products designed to lock in moisture are going to do you a lot of good. You should aim to keep your skin out of the sun, as well, opting for mineral-based sunscreen to build up your natural barrier. Once your skin is rehydrated, it should be back to its normal self.
What if it’s something else?
The itchiness, dullness, redness, and other symptoms associated with either or both dry and dehydrated skin are not particularly uncommon markers of something wrong with your skin. Itchy skin can, for instance, be caused by psoriasis, parasites, insect bites, hives, fungal skin infections, and much more. If you’re uncertain of what’s causing your symptoms, and the solutions above are not doing the trick for you, then the best move is to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists can take a closer look at your skin to help you work out precisely what’s wrong with it. There may be a chance that a prescribed clinical solution might be more effective for what ails you than the lifestyle and self-care advice published here, as well.
Whether the information above helps you, or you enlist some professional assistance, it’s important to get to the bottom of what’s bothering your skin and, once you know what it is, to deal with it. Whether you can banish your dehydrated skin for good or you simply learn how to better care for your dry skin, it’s important to invest in healthy skin.
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Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.