Do you have dry skin? Or is it dehydrated?

If your skin feels dry or flaky, you probably think you have dry skin – and you’ll be tempted to treat your skin with products formulated for dry skin.

Believe it or not, while your skin may look and/or feel dry, it likely doesn’t meet the true definition of “dry skin.”

Dry skin is essentially a genetic issue; it results when your body doesn’t produce sufficient natural oils (sebum). If you’ve experienced dry skin since childhood, then your body probably isn’t producing enough sebum. If your dry and/or flaky skin is more of a recent occurrence, it’s probably dehydrated.

How does skin become dehydrated?

Our skin becomes dehydrated due to numerous factors. Stress, environmental pollution, sun exposure, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and using harsh skin care products are just a few of the more common causes of dehydrated skin.

How to treat dehydrated skin

First, address the issues that may be causing the dehydration.

Make certain you’re getting adequate sleep
Practice relaxation and/or meditation techniques to reduce stress
Limit your sun exposure, and make sure you’re protecting your skin from sun damage.
Protect your skin with antioxidants to fight back against environmental damage.
Make sure you’re hydrating your body properly from the inside: drinking plenty of water, eating healthy foods, and limiting sugar and alcohol intake.
Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol, surfactancts, and/or fragrance.

In addition to addressing the causes of the dehydration, you will need to get your skin properly hydrated.

Strengthen and protect your skin’s barrier by using nourishing products that contain vitamins and minerals.
Moisturize well and regularly – making sure to always moisturize after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp and you can lock in moisture.
Hyaluronic Acid retains moisture from the fluids we ingest, as well as moisture from the air around us. It’s one of the all-around best ingredients for binding and maintaining moisture in the skin.

If traditional moisturizing and hydrating methods don’t work to get rid of your skin’s dryness, see a dermatologist to make sure that the dryness you’re experiencing isn’t a symptom of a larger problem.