Is your skin dehydrated or dry?

Distinguishing dehydrated skin and dry skin for optimal care

Dry skin can easily be confused with dehydrated skin, because both share certain qualities. Learning to tell them apart means knowing the right care and products you need in each case. Let’s take a closer look.

How to tell them apart

Here is some basic information to help you distinguish dry skin from dehydrated skin.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Dehydrated Skin

• Skin condition (can affect any skin type)
• Feeling of tightness, especially after showering or bathing
• Dehydration lines and wrinkles when smiling
• Lack of water (skin has a low level of hydration)

Dry Skin

• Skin type
• Discomfort and stiffness, upon waking
• Feeling of tightness, itchiness
• Flaking – skin feels like it is covered with a white film
• Lack of water, but also of oils and proteins essential for the regeneration of skin’s hydrolipidic film

The hydrolipidic film is skin’s natural protective barrier. Its job is to regulate moisture and protect skin from the elements. Dry skin does not produce enough natural oils to maintain an intact hydrolipidic film, which explains why it is more prone to dehydration than other skin types.

Dehydrated skin : Solutions

For dehydrated skin, you need to use gentle cleansers and makeup removers, along with day cream, night cream and, as is the case with all skin types, sunscreen on a daily basis. Skin, as you may know, is 70 percent water, so it goes without saying that drinking plenty of water is a must. Applying a moisturizing mask a few times a week is also beneficial. This type of mask will deeply hydrate skin, reduce the daily loss of moisture and leave skin silky soft.

Featured products : 

A Routine to Maximize Hydration

Neutrogena's Hydro Boost line of products is ideal for caring for dehydrated skin. These products contain hyaluronic acid, a natural agent that acts like a sponge to retain water in the skin and thus increase its level of hydration.

In the morning, before putting on makeup, cleanse your skin with a mild Neutrogena cleanser.

Then apply Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. This serum deeply hydrates the skin thanks to the presence of vitamin B5 which acts as a water magnet to attract and lock moisture in the skin.

The next step is to moisturize the fragile skin under your eyes by applying Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream, patting gently until completely absorbed. Despite its light formula, this eye cream deeply hydrates this delicate skin area, without irritating the eyes.

Complete your routine by applying Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream to the rest of your face and neck. In addition to the moisturizing benefits of hyaluronic acid, the gel cream contains olive extract that strengthens the skin's natural moisture barrier. Even though its light-weight formula absorbs very quickly, this cream provides deep and lasting hydration to your skin.

Repeat this routine at night after removing makeup to maximize your skin's hydration level.

Dry skin : Solutions

As for dry skin, it too needs gentle, specially formulated cleansers and daily sun protection, but it also requires richer moisturizers to compensate for its lack of oils and proteins and give it an additional boost of hydration. Weekly exfoliation to remove dead skin cells followed by a moisturizing mask is also recommended.

Skin Types 

Remember that any skin type (dry, normal, combination or oily) can be dehydrated. If you’re not sure about your skin type, speak with one of our dermo-cosmetic consultants. She can analyze your skin, free of charge, using two special instruments: the video microscope and the hygrometer.

With the video microscope and the hygrometer (a device that measures skin’s level of hydration), our dermo-cosmetic consultants can accurately diagnose the condition of your skin. This pain-free analysis can be extremely helpful in avoiding skin problems, such as blemishes, redness or irritation, associated with the use of the wrong products.

In-store services

Need help choosing the right products for your skin type? Come and talk to our dermo-cosmetic consultants. They can guide you through the maze of skin care brands and items.