What’s the difference between dry or dehydrated skin?

Often people think dry and dehydrated skin is the same thing – but it’s not.

It’s important to know which you are suffering from so that you can optimise your skincare routine to treat the problem. It’s possible to have dry skin, dehydrated skin, neither or both.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin is a skin type, like oily or combination skin, where the complexion lacks oils or lipids. Without oil, your skin struggles to retain the hydration you get from water, so it takes on a more flaky, dry appearance.

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition - you're not born with it, but it occurs due to diet and lifestyle. It can be caused by simple things like harsher weather, not eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables, and diuretics like alcohol and caffeine. This can happen to anyone, regardless of skin type. Dehydrated skin typically looks dull and can show premature signs of aging, like surface wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

Dehydrated skin and dry skin need different treatments.

How to treat dehydrated skin:

For dehydrated skin, oral hydration is a must because it’s adding water into complexion from the inside. You should be aiming to drink roughly 8 glasses of water every day. Eating water-rich veggies and fruits can also help increase your intake (think celery, watermelon etc.)

How to treat dry skin:

For dry skin, keep on moisturizing. This process helps dry skin better retain water and maintain a proper level of hydration. The key to addressing dry skin is finding products that help you lock in moisture, especially overnight.

Self-tan can often be problamatic for people with dry or dehydrated skin, resulting in a patchy finish because more tanner is ‘grabbed’ by drier areas. TanOrganic uses natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, which have shown to have beneficial effects on dry & dehyrdated skin, hence why it's one of the most sought-after remedies in skin care and cosmetics. It hydrates cracked, dry skin and helps to restore softness. All TanOrganic products are oil and aloe vera based, so not only can you get a beautiful natural glow year-round, you also stay wonderfully hydrated.

You can shop our range of self-tan & skincare products here.