With the colder weather comes cozy nights by the fireplace, adorable skating dates, and warm hot cocoa, but the winter season also often leaves many of us fighting the resulting downside of drier skin. However, it’s easy to confuse dryness with dehydration, two very different skin concerns. Dryness and dehydration are often incorrectly used interchangeably, which is a hurtful mistake that can leave your skin neglected.

We tend to label our skin as oily,
combination, or dry. If we think of skin as a spectrum, dry skin is essentially
the opposite of oily skin and is a result of a lack of oil or lipids in your
skin. This is different from dehydrated skin, which is more so a skin condition
than a skin type, and occurs when your skin lacks water.

Dry skin is often genetic and may cause
your skin to be flaky, itchy, and appear dry and dull. Dehydration, on the
other hand, is a temporary skin condition generally caused by external factors such
as diet, caffeine consumption, and the weather. Individuals with dehydrated
skin may experience redness, inflammation, and increased sensitivity.
Dehydrated skin also has a persistent tighter feel than dry skin.

There is a good chance that your skin is
dehydrated instead of just dry this season, and this differentiation is
extremely important in order to effectively care for your skin. Target
dehydrated skin by using products with moisture-binding ingredients such as
hyaluronic acid and collagen. You can also try adding heavier serums and
moisturizers to your nighttime routine. Finally, it may seem obvious, but don’t
skimp on drinking water! Water is a pillar of good health and can help restore
moisture to dehydrated skin.

Written
by: Prishni Seyone