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But often, these signs don't actually indicate dryness at all, but temporary dehydration—a condition that affects people with any skin type, including oily skin. For skincare to truly work, it's important to learn to distinguish between these conditions and select products based on your skin's actual needs.
Dry and Dehydrated Skin: What's the Difference
At first glance, dry and dehydrated skin may appear similar—tightness, discomfort, and flaking. But from a dermatological perspective, these are two completely different conditions.
Dry Skin is a Type
Dry skin is caused by a hereditary predisposition. It is a congenital condition in which sebum (sebum) production is reduced. This skin feels thin, delicate, and prone to flaking and redness. It lacks the lipids that form a protective film on the surface and prevent moisture loss. This causes a constant feeling of dryness, even if the moisture content in the tissues is normal.
Signs of dry skin:
matte surface without shine;
tendency to peeling;
increased sensitivity;
the feeling of dryness persists even after applying moisturizers;
frequent irritation and redness.
Dehydrated skin is a condition
Dehydration can occur in any skin type - even oily skin. It is a temporary condition in which the skin's moisture level decreases, but sebum production remains the same or even increases. The reasons may be different: aggressive care, dry air, stress, climate, lack of drinking water.
Signs of dehydrated skin:
a feeling of tightness after washing;
dull, uneven complexion;
fine wrinkles from dehydration;
oily shine - especially in the T-zone;
increased sensitivity to external influences.
How to understand what your skin needs
For care to be effective, it is important to determine: the skin needs hydration or nutrition - and most often, both at the same time. A properly selected combination of products will help restore balance and restore a healthy appearance to your skin.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is the replenishment and retention of water in the skin. The main goal is to saturate the stratum corneum with moisture and create conditions for its retention. This is especially important in cases of dehydration. Products with moisturizing components replenish the moisture deficit and maintain the skin's hydrobalance throughout the day.
If your skin appears dull, feels tight, or is increasingly sensitive to cold or heat, it needs hydration.
Nutrition
Nutrition is the replenishment of lipids and the restoration of the skin's protective barrier. Lipids help retain moisture and protect against external irritants. Without them, even the most moisturizing cream won't provide a lasting effect—moisture will evaporate through the damaged barrier.
If your skin is flaking, easily damaged, feels "dry from the inside," and even after moisturizing, discomfort remains—it needs nourishment.
What ingredients to look for in skincare products
Cosmetics should not just moisturize or nourish, but also support the protective barrier, stimulate cell renewal, and adapt to seasonal changes. It's important to know which ingredients really work.
For skin hydration
Look for products with:
Hyaluronic acid— a powerful hydrofixator that retains moisture in the skin.
Glycerin— helps bind water and maintain the hydration of the stratum corneum.
Sorbitol and urea— retain water, soften the skin.
Betaine and Polysaccharides — create a moisture-retaining protective film.
Niacinamide — normalizes the barrier function and improves skin texture.
Panthenol — soothes and restores after dehydration.
For skin nutrition
Note:
Ceramides — key lipids that restore the barrier.
Oils (shea, jojoba, squalane) — nourish, soften and prevent evaporation moisture.
Cholesterol and fatty acids are part of the lipid mantle of the skin.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the protective functions of the skin.
Phytosterols and lecithin help restore the skin barrier.
Peptides support tissue regeneration, increase skin density.
How to care for dehydrated skin
Dehydration is a reversible condition. A systematic approach will help restore the skin's water balance in 2-3 weeks.
Recommendations:
Gentle cleansing - use products without alcohol and aggressive surfactants. Choose gels and foams with a pH of 5.5.
Tonning and essences should contain moisturizing components to prepare the skin in advance for the application of cream and other active ingredients.
Serums with hyaluronic acid - especially in the off-season and when the climate changes.
Moisturizing cream - apply to damp skin to "seal" moisture.
Masks with hyaluronate and aloe - use 2-3 times a week.
Climate control - turn on a humidifier in the room, especially in winter.
Restoring water balance - drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day, without a mineral deficiency.
What to do if your skin is both dry and dehydrated
This condition is not uncommon. Skin can be genetically dry (lack of lipids) and at the same time temporarily dehydrated (lack of moisture). In this case, care should be twofold - combine moisturizing and nourishing.
Care recommendations:
In the morning, use a serum with hyaluronic acid and a light cream with ceramides.
In the evening, apply a nourishing cream with oils and antioxidants.
1-2 times a week, use masks with lipids and a moisturizing complex.
Don't forget to moisturize the skin of the lips and eyelids - they are often the first to react to dehydration and dryness.
It is especially important not to overload the skin: the products should be physiological, without aggressive fragrances and alcohols. Look for clinically proven products, such as LIBREDERM moisturizing and nourishing creams, which contain hyaluronic acid, panthenol, squalane, and niacinamide.
Skin is a complex and sensitive organ that adapts daily to environmental conditions. To help it maintain health and beauty, it's important not only to correctly determine its type but also to understand its current condition. Dryness requires nourishment. Dehydration requires moisture. And often, both. A balance between the two will ensure comfort, radiance, and health of your skin. And the sooner you restore it, the longer your skin will thank you with freshness and youth.