Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin: How to Tell the Difference? [Infographic]

To the naked eye, dry and dehydrated skin can look the same: flaky and tight. But did you know there are significant differences between the two? Dry skin is an inherited skin type. Dehydration is a fixable skin condition. Here’s how you can tell the difference.

Do I Have Dry Skin?

If you have a dry skin type, it means you lack oil. Dry skin produces less sebum, or oil, than normal skin, and the lack of it strips the skin of the lipids it needs to retain moisture. Those with dry skin were likely born this way, and dryness in other areas of the body is a telltale sign. Dry hands, legs, and scalp are a given and will soak up moisturizers and lotions rather quickly.

Is My Skin Dehydrated?

If your skin is dehydrated, it means your skin is lacking water. This can be caused by a variety of external factors, from makeup and incorrect product use to diet and weather. When skin is dehydrated, it creates more oil to make up for the water it’s missing. You can have an oily complexion but still, have dehydrated skin. This can cause dry patches, irritation, and often breakouts.

At GR8NESS, our skincare aficionados understand how difficult it can be to understand what your skin needs. That’s why we created this infographic to help tell the difference between your dry or dehydrated skin.

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