Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

Although both terms sometimes are used interchangeably, they are not the same. Dry skin is caused by a lack of sebum and is a skin type, therefore, long-term. It may come with regular struggles such as itching, tightness and/or even flaking. These symptoms may worsen during the winter period. Dehydration, however, is, as the name already gives away, caused by a lack of hydration (water). This is often accompanied by roughness and/or loss of elasticity and can occur in any skin type, even oily skin.

There are ways to estimate which type it is. First, think back. Has your skin always been like this? Or has it only changed in the past few weeks? If it’s recent, it’s most likely dehydration; otherwise, dry skin.

The second method is the so-called pinch test:

Pinch a small amount of skin on your face or body and hold for a few seconds.
If your skin bounces back, it’s very likely that it’s dry. If you feel it takes a while to return to its original state, your skin shows signs of being dehydrated.

You can repeat this process several times in different areas. Keep in mind that this is only a rough estimation, and a consultation with a professional would produce a better estimate.

So to summarise:

Type	Dry Skin	Dehydrated Skin
Causes	Genetics (like atopic dermatitis), but can be influenced by external factors	Damaged skin barrier, diet changes or extreme weather conditions
Duration	Long-term, usually lifelong	Can be as short as a few days
Pinch Test	Bounces back quickly	Takes a while to return to original state
Recommended Ingredients	Nut, Seed or Plant Oils including Almond, Hemp and Jojoba, Shea Butter, Mineral Oils, Lanolin	Glycerin, Honey, Aloe, Snail Mucin, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid