The conditions of dry skin can often resemble those of dehydrated skin, so how do you go about distinguishing them? Knowing the particularities of one or the other, however, is essential to understand how to intervene and which treatments to use. So here is an analysis of the signs and peculiarities of both dry and dehydrated skin with useful advice and products to be used both in the first and the second case.
Dry skin: causes and characteristics
The superficial skin layer is formed by a hydrolipidic film composed of hydrophilic substances, lipids and sebum. This barrier protects us from the aggression of external agents and the loss of water. To keep its composition balanced it needs the right balance of these components.
Dry skin is skin characterised by an insufficient lipid component generally presenting little elasticity and tightness. Being deficient in its lipid component, however, it has the characteristic of not presenting imperfections such as blackheads, dilated pores and lucidity. The causes of dry skin can be both internal and external; among the first, we have the genetic factor, the hormonal one and particular skin conditions, among the external ones, contribute to the environmental conditions, prolonged and incorrect exposure to sunlight and contact with chemicals.
How to recognize dehydrated skin
As the same term indicates, dehydrated skin is skin that suffers from a lack of water, therefore presenting itself as inelastic and dull. The main causes of dehydrated skin can be associated with a poor holding capacity of water molecules; among these, we find stress, hormonal imbalances, poor level of general hydration (associated, for example, with drinking little or taking a few foods rich in water) or the use of cosmetics unsuitable for your skin type.
The main differences between dry skin
Dehydrated skin can be a temporary condition, due precisely to contingent situations such as extreme climatic and environmental conditions or the use of unsuitable cosmetics. Dry skin, on the other hand, is a very specific skin type that can degenerate to lead to more serious conditions. Dry skin as well as oily or combination skin can present problems of dehydration and skin discomfort, especially after baths and showers.
Dry skin and dehydrated skin: tips and products
Dry skin needs to receive the right amount of lipids, to be nourished; the dehydrated one must be able to retain water molecules. In both cases, the advice is to strengthen that surface film by providing it with the right amount of hydrophilic molecules and lipids.
A large portion of the lipids naturally present in our skin are ceramides, essential for maintaining the structure and resistance of the skin barrier.
Moisturiser can protect and moisturise even the driest skin because it is formulated with the 3 essential ceramides and with hyaluronic acid which help to retain water molecules. A product suitable for both dry and dehydrated skin because it works on both needs.
Furthermore, thanks to the MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) Technology, the active ingredients are released continuously for up to 48 hours of hydration, leaving the skin soft and hydrated. To complete the skincare routine, we also recommend the use of the moisturising cleanser, the non-foaming lotion that cleanses and moisturises the skin while protecting it.
