How To Care For Dehydrated and Dry Skin

Dry skin and dehydrated skin may seem synonymous, but they’re actually two different things. Dry skin is a skin type characterised by a lack of oil or lipids. Dehydrated skin, which is really more of a skin condition, is caused by a lack of water.

Today, we're looking into the best ways to deal with dry skin and dehydrated skin. Should you moisturise? Should you tone? Which natural skincare products work? And what kind of makeup should you use? We've got the answers. But first, let’s get to the core of the problem.

What's the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin and dehydrated skin may have different underlying causes, but most of the signs are similar. Dry skin and dehydrated skin are prone to dullness, flaking, and visible fine lines. Both are characterised by a matte appearance and fine pores.

Dry skin often feels itchy and looks red, splotchy, and leathery. Dehydrated skin feels tight and is usually accompanied by dry, cracked lips. Note that dehydration can happen with any skin type, which means you can have oily and acne prone skin and also be dehydrated.

There are a bunch of factors that can result in dry skin, including genetics, ageing, your diet, the weather, overusing certain skincare products, contact with allergens, and overscrubbing. As for dehydrated skin, this temporary condition is usually brought about by insufficient water intake or excessive sweating.

If you suspect that your skin is either dry or dehydrated, try to figure out which external factors or lifestyle choices may be causing your skin problems. You can also improve the condition of dry or dehydrated skin by incorporating natural skincare products into your everyday skincare routine. For dry skin, choose products with rich oils and lipids. For dehydrated skin, look for moisture-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

How to cleanse dry and dehydrated skin

Dry skin

For everyday cleansing, use the Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion. This is a great choice for dry skin: it's extra mild and extra gentle, is water based, and has powerful moisturising ingredients. You only need a moistened cotton wool pad to remove this, which is perfect if you find that regular washing only makes your skin drier.

For moisturising ingredients to get through the rough upper layers of dry skin, you’re gonna need to do some exfoliating. A good facial cleanser will gently break down the dead skin cells and other impurities that adhere to your skin and cause dry patches. This allows the hydrating ingredients of your moisturiser to really sink into your skin and do their job.

For dry skin, you have to use an extra gentle exfoliating cleanser. Go with non grainy formulas. Instead of physical exfoliators, choose a cleanser with active fruit enzymes, for example, to gently remove dead skin cells and reduce fine lines.

Dehydrated skin

Get dehydrated skin back on track with a mild cleanser that deep cleans as it hydrates. The Lavera Basis Cleansing Milk 2 in 1 removes makeup and lifts off impurities without sucking moisture out of your skin. It’s water based and packed with jojoba seed oil and shea butter.

What toner should you use?

Both dry and dehydrated skin will benefit from a hydrating toner that locks in moisture after you wash your face. Use one with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Like glycerin, hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that attracts water and deposits it into your skin.

Choose products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and natural humectants such as aloe vera. 

How to moisturise dry and dehydrated skin

Face

Look for ingredients such as lactic acid, which will rehydrate your face and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The Weleda Almond Soothing Face Cream is extra mild and formulated for very dry skin. This beautifully rich facial moisturiser's packed with lactic acid and nourishing sweet almond and plum kernel oils. It’s water based and light enough to wear under makeup.

Apply your moisturiser immediately after cleansing and toning, before your skin begins to feel tight. Follow it up with a good sunscreen.

Eyes and lips

People with dry skin are prone to fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth. A good eye cream, such as the one from Acure, will stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles and crow’s feet.

Chapped lips is one of the most obvious signs of internal dehydration. Use a petrochemical free lip balm such as the Noosa Basics Organic Lip Balm and Hurraw Lip Balm to keep your lips kissably smooth.

Makeup for dry and dehydrated skin

The makeup you use should be an extension of your skincare. For both dry and dehydrated skin, choose mineral makeup that corrects flaws as it nourishes your skin.

Primer

People with dry or dehydrated skin tend to have visible fine lines and rough, flaky patches. A good primer will smoothen everything out and create an even canvas for your foundation.

While it’s best known for its ability to soften hands, knees, and elbows, celebrity favourite Weleda Skin Food actually also works as a primer. And because it has a rich but non greasy formulation, it’s perfect for those with dry or dehydrated skin. Just warm a drop or two between your fingers and apply all over your face. You can even mix it with your favourite foundation to make a hydrating tinted moisturiser.

Concealer

Using waterproof concealer on dry skin is a no-no. If you need extra coverage, go with a moisturising concealer to hide imperfections without looking cakey or dry. You can also look for a natural concealer with ingredients such as organic shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil to conceal spots and dark circles without settling into every wrinkle and fine line.

Foundation

With dry skin, you don't want to use anything that’s mattifying or formulated to control oil. Instead, keep dry skin at bay with a moisture packed foundation like the Lavera Basis Sensitive Tinted Moisturiser, which has shea butter.

If you prefer something lighter for daytime, go for a BB cream such as this one from Wotnot, which provides sheer coverage, or a CC cream designed specifically for dry skin.

Blush

Cream blushes are your best option. These have a creamy formula that delivers a nice flush of colour. Choose blushes with a good dose of natural hydrating oils like olive and avocado oils.

Mineral powders are also a good choice as these let you build up colour but won’t settle in your pores. 

Lipstick

If your lips are dry or dehydrated, look for lipsticks with ingredients that nourish and protect. The Hurraw PlantColor Natural Lip Colour is made from 100% plant colour, and contains natural plant oils that help nourish and moisturise your lips.

Powder

Powder tends to sit on wrinkles and rough patches, so those with dry or dehydrated skin should steer clear. But if you really must use a little powder to set your makeup, go for light mineral powders and avoid anything oil absorbing or mattifying.

Facial mist

Even if you’ve prepped your face well and used the right makeup for your skin type, certain environmental conditions can still leave your skin dry and tight. Keep a bottle of facial mist on your desk so you can top up your moisture levels when the air conditioning at the office is wreaking havoc on your skin. Try the Mt. Retour Organic Rose Hydrosol. You can use this before makeup (as a primer) or after (as a hydrating refresher).

Hello Charlie stocks a wide array of products for dry and dehydrated skin. Shop them here.

Image credits: Weleda