The difference between dry and dehydrated skin

Identifying your skin type can sometimes be straightforward – especially if you have dry, acne-prone or sensitive skin types. But when it comes to dry vs. dehydrated skin, here is where things get tricky. 

Dry skin produces little to no oil, which causes the skin to be dry and flaky. 

Whereas for dehydrated skin, it's a skin condition not a skin type. Dehydrated skin, unlike its name, is not overly dry skin. It is skin that is oily, combination, or normal skin that is lacking water and feels tight. 

Skin that lacks water content may still produce oil to make up for the lack of moisture in skin and can in fact overproduce oil to compensate. Which is why a dehydrated skin condition is common amongst those with oily skin who tends to use harsh products that strip the skin's moisture barrier. 

1. Use a gentle cleanser

Cleansing is the first and most important step of all skincare routines. Those with oily or acne-prone skin would tend to use cleansers that give them the "squeaky clean" feeling as they feel like their skin is thoroughly cleansed. However, that is a huge mistake! This strips the skin off it's natural moisture barrier and causes it to overproduce oil, it's a vicious cycle.

Try a gentle cleanser like Kaleanser, and it will cleanse your skin just fine. 

2. Don't leave your skin bare

After cleansing, do not leave your skin bare for more than 60 seconds! When your skin is left naked, the moisture on the surface of our skin evaporates! Move on to your toner, serums, essences and moisturisers ASAP, there is no time to waste!

3.  Use humectants

Humectants are ingredients that help attract water from our environment into the skin, keeping it soft and supple. Glycerin, a type of humectant can be found in Kaleanser and is the second on the ingredient list (which means it is second highest quantity used)!