Peau sèche et peau déshydratée

How to distinguish between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Your perception of your skin will change after understanding the following: dry skin and dehydrated skin are not synonymous. Grasping this fundamental difference is crucial in adopting a skincare routine that is truly suited to your skin.

Summary
Published June 30, 2021, updated on February 14, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min read

What is dry skin?

Dryness is a skin type. The term "dry" is actually inaccurate, as it implies a lack of hydration, hence a lack of water. However, skin that we describe as "dry" is actually what we call "alipidic" skin, meaning it is lacking in lipids . Due to insufficient sebum production, the barrier function of the hydrolipidic film is weakened, which makes the epidermis more susceptible to external aggressions and facilitates the evaporation of the water contained in the skin.

However, while it is impossible to change the nature of an alipidic skin, we can nevertheless recreate the protective film on the surface of the epidermis and on the body, and thus combat skin dryness, thanks to nourishing treatments and penetrating ones such as thevegetable oil of argan or plum, or even the nourishing serum enriched with olive squalane. The latter has a structure very similar to sebum and therefore has an excellent affinity with the skin. You can also rely on the relipidating serum with ceramides and aloe vera. Ceramides are lipids naturally present in the interlipid cement allowing the cohesion of skin cells. They help to strengthen the skin barrier and fight against possible dryness.

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydration is an occasional problem. A skin is said to be "dehydrated" when it lacks water . Thus, you can indeed have oily, combination, or normal skin and lack hydration. A nourishing cream or oil will therefore not relieve a dehydrated skin , unlike a treatment concentrated in hydrating active ingredients capable of retaining water and preventing its evaporation.

The hydrating serum concentrated in hyaluronic acid precisely helps to retain water in the skin. Derived from the fermentation of wheat, this molecule is known for its highly hydrating virtues and can retain up to a thousand times its weight in water. It allows for instant hydration but also the maintenance of hydrated skin over time. The daily intake of hyaluronic acid also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and make the skin more supple and toned. You can complement it with the 9-ingredient face moisturizer . It notably contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, two humectant active ingredients, which will help to seal the skin's hydration.

Conclusion? A state of dehydration is not necessarily associated with a dry skin. However, dry skin often leads to a state of dehydration.

Diagnostic

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