Dry Vs. Dehydrated Skin: Which Do I Have?
Dryness and dehydration are two terms in the skincare world that are often confused with one another. While they may look similar, feel the same and are sometimes used interchangeably in the same sentence – they are two very different things.
To help us spot the difference Ultraceuticals National Trainer Michelle Macken shared a guide to dry and dehydrated skin as well as product recommendations to tackle both.
Dry Skin
What is it?
Unlike dehydrated skin (which we’ll get to later), dry skin is a skin type – meaning, you may have experienced dryness your whole life. It’s defined by minimal to zero oil or sebum production in the skin and can be a result of ageing, hormonal changes and genetics. The skin may appear flaky and often feel itchy or rough. These symptoms extend beyond the winter months; the severity may worsen with extreme hot or cold temperatures and using, sometimes overusing harsh cleansing and incorrect skin care products.
How do I treat it?
Avoid over-cleansing. Excessive cleansing can strip away the minimal oil you have left on your skin – making it drier than it already is. You’ll want to opt for richer creams, hydrating serums and non-stripping, milky cleansers that replenish the skin and support the natural moisture and lipid barrier of the skin.
The hero products we suggest; Ultra Rich Moisturiser Cream: a lush cream formulated with soothing Shea Butter and a blend of nourishing ingredients that provide immediate hydration. For an extra boost, we recommend Ultra Replenishing Mask which contains a blend of moisturising ingredients including Ceramide 3, that assist in retaining and promoting lasting hydration.
Dehydrated Skin
What is it?
Rather than lacking oil, dehydrated skin lacks water – which is vital for juicy, plump skin. Dehydration occurs when there is a deficiency of water in the surface layer of the skin, causing disruption to the skin’s barrier which results in excessive moisture loss. Unfortunately, no skin type is immune to dehydration. Yes, even if you’re dry, oily, acne-prone or somewhere in between.
Dehydration can occur for several reasons; seasonal changes, spending a little too long in the sun, hot showers, harsh products and even ageing. You’ll find that your skin feels tight, appears dull, fine lines are more prominent, and radiance is nowhere to be seen.
How do I treat it?
Since your skin is thirsty, the obvious step is to increase your water intake (reminder to pause reading and take a sip!). You’ll also want to incorporate ingredients into your skin regime like hyaluronic acid – which is known to hold up to 1000x its weight in water and ultimately provides vital hydration back into the skin.
We recommend Ultra B² Hydrating Serum and Ultra B² Hydration Mask. Both products contain B² Technology – a powerful combination of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Panthenol (Provitamin B5) that work to keep the skin looking and feeling soft and supple.
This Decemeber, purchase Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydration Serum and Ultra Rich Moisturiser Cream as a bundle and save 23% (€17.25) in Ultraceuticals’ Clinics and Salons nationwide.
