Dry Skin Vs Dehydrated Skin: Here Is The Difference

You may have seen dry and dehydrated used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. There are predominantly 4 skin types – oily, dry, combination and normal skin. Dryness refers to a skin type while dehydration refers to a skin condition. It may seem confusing, but understanding the difference between these two things could be the thing standing between you and amazing skin! Yep – it’s good skin at stake here. So let’s understand the difference between these two and learn how to treat dry skin and how to treat dehydrated skin.

What is dry skin? 

Dry skin lacks oil. This is usually a permanent condition as it is a skin type. This skin type is characterized by your sebaceous glands not secreting enough sebum. As a result, the skin barrier doesn’t get enough lipids to lubricate the skin. This usually causes flakiness and redness, making the skin appear rough, cracked and leathery. It lacks suppleness and elasticity and bounce, leading to premature signs of ageing. It also has uneven skin texture and appears dull and lifeless. 

While you can’t ‘fix’ dry skin, you can help support barrier function by including ingredients like ceramides, nourishing oils, fatty acids and more. Here are a few tips: 

Steer clear of cleansers that leave your skin dry and stretchy. Instead, go for cream cleansers or cleansing balms that are loading with good fatty acids and oils that’ll help plump your skin as it cleanses it gently. Try the gentle and moisturizing cleansing balm, the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm which contains moringa oil, grapefruit and pearl extracts that leave your skin soft and moisturized. 

Dry skin needs some exfoliation too! Dead skin cells tend to accumulate and make your skin look dull and tired. Regular exfoliation can bring back your glow and allow your products to work better! Use AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid over chemical exfoliants as they can cause micro-tears in the skin, making dry skin worse. We like the gentle yet effective Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads which have glycolic acid and papaya extract to hydrate and exfoliate your skin. Use it twice or thrice a week to keep your skin glowing. 

Moisturize regularly 

After cleansing and exfoliating, it is crucial that you moisturize using a cream or gel-based moisturizer to give your skin a boost. Look for nourishing ingredients like ceramides, lipids, omega fatty acids and lightweight oils to give your skin the moisture it needs. Try the Mon Cherry Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel that contains 2% niacinamide and moringa oil to support barrier function and keep your skin happy. Plus, it absorbs almost instantly! 

Sealing in your moisturizer can help do wonders for your skin. Use a lightweight oil like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, squalane and even argan oil. Apply this as the last step of your skincare routine to reap the benefits.

Best moisturizing ingredients for dry skin:

Moisturizing means sealing in hydration by decreasing water loss. Meaning, adding an occlusive (read: oil) layer on top to prevent dryness. While hydrating ingredients work for all skin types, if you have dry skin, look for:

• Emollients: By these we mean shea butter, cocoa butter and such which help fill in cracks in the epidermis and seal in moisture 
• Occlusives: These are what create a physical barrier on the skin and lock in hydration. Some occlusive ingredients to look for are dimethicone, lanolin, olive oil, argan oil, jojoba oil and squalane. 

What is dehydrated skin? 

Dehydrated skin lacks moisture content. Unlike dry skin, it is a skin condition and can be ‘fixed’ – anyone can experience dehydrated skin – yes, even oily skin! Dehydrated skin looks flat and dull and can show flaking in patches. It also shows up as fine lines. Your skin will appear tighter and you may encounter frequent breakouts as your skin tries to compensate the lack of moisture by overproducing oils. It is usually caused by change in seasons, harsh weather, and stress and sun damage. 

How can I treat dehydrated skin? 

Since dehydrated skin is largely seasonal, here are a few tips to help you tackle it: 

Make sure you are drinking at least 2-3 litres of water! It really does reflect in your skin. If it is summer, you may require more water. Set a reminder to drink water every hour. 

Pack on your essences 

In Korean skincare, essences are made to infuse moisture and hydration into the skin without weighing it down. Take your favourite essence – ours is the Mon Cherry Intense Brightening Essence and apply a thin layer. Now, repeat a few more times until it is completely absorbed. Applying thin layers helps boost absorption, making your skin plumper and healthier. 

By humectants, we mean ingredients that help pull moisture into your skin. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great humectants and are especially amazing for dehydrated skin. Try the fast absorbing Mama Cica Dark Spot Correcting Ampoule which contains hydrating ingedients like cica, hyaluronic acid, lotus root and Korean ginseng. 

Who doesn’t love a spritz of refreshment? Face mists are a great way to add hydration to your skin. Whenever you feel your skin feels stretchy and dry, spritz on the Mon Cherry Brightening Face Mist which contains hyaluronic acid and cherry blossom extract to give your skin a boost of hydration. 

You can be using a lot of hydrating products but you still need to seal in the goodness with a moisturizer. Try the super light Chialeader Oil Control Moisturizer that soothes and hydrates your skin with the goodness of chia seed and cactus water. Plus, it comes with an in-built roller ball applicator that gently massages your face to boost absorption. 

Best hydrating ingredients for dehydrated skin:

Dehydrated skin lacks water, not oil. So piling on rich, heavy moisturizer won’t do you much good – instead, it will just leave your skin clogged and dull. Instead, reach for: 

• Humectants: These are ingredients like pull water into the skin, plumping up the cells. And as we know, hydrated cells are healthy cells. Some of these ingredients are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera. Even sheet masks are a great way to infuse moisture back into your skin!
• Occlusives: Once you have hydrated your skin, seal in the moisture so your skin can reap the most benefits. Apply a lightweight moisturizer and follow up with a light, quick absorbing face oil like jojoba oil or argan oil. 

Follow these simple tips and get healthy, glowing skin!

Read more about skin types here: 

How to Treat Oily Skin

Skincare Heroes For Combination Skin

The 5-Step Nighttime Routine You Should Follow If You Have Sensitive Skin