how to tell the difference between dry and dehydrated skin
dehydrated skin and dry skin are not the same- a misconception we find clients confused by all too often. although they share similar symptoms, dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil. basically, dryness refers to a skin type, which is hereditary, and dehydration refers to a skin condition that can be remedied. every skin type is at risk when it comes to dehydration as it can be caused by many external factors including weather, environment, harsh products, etc. all of which can result in diminished water content in the skin
your skin gets thirsty just like your body does, so while it may produce plenty of oil, it could very well be dehydrated- AKA lacking water. when it comes to maintaining a flawless complexion, water and oil go hand-in-hand. water is what keeps your skin soft & plump, but it won’t stay that way if there's no oil/moisturizer to seal it in, so you need both to stay balanced. one of the biggest misconceptions is that moisturizers hydrate the skin- this is false. if you only moisturize without giving your skin hydration it needs, it will continue to be dull and dehydrated. conversely, if you hydrate dry skin without layering an oil-based product on top, it will still flake and have a rough texture
since the purpose of hydrating is to bind water to the skin and moisturizing is to prevent water from leaving the skin, it's important that water-based products are always applied before oil-based ones. however, if you have particularly oily skin, you may prefer not to moisturize as often as you already produce enough oil (and in some cases, more than enough) to keep water from leaving the skin. for you, applying just a hydrating product might be all you need. however, if you find that your skin could use a little extra, opt for something light like
how do you tell which one you have? here's a quick rundown of the characteristics
dry skin: feels rough, appears dry and can be flaky. it's an ongoing problem because your skin naturally produces less oil/sebum than normal skin, meaning your lipid barrier (the outermost part of your skin) cannot function properly, allowing water to escape more readilydehydrated skin: looks dull, feels tight, is sensitive, and fine lines will be more prominent. it's not chronic, because it's a condition rather than a skin type
how to hydrate your skin and keep it looking plump & youthful...
USE A HYDRATING SERUM
when it comes to selecting a hydrating product, the number one ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid. it’s a powerful moisture-binding acid that can hold 1,000x its weight in water to restore and replenish the skin. it’s found naturally in the human body, but starts to deplete as we age causing our skin to thin and look dull, so it’s critical you implement this ingredient into your routine
this serum is in a league of it's own. it contains a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid, proxylane, licorice root (great for brightening), and purple rice (for preserving dehydrated skin and improve overall texture
*apply as the last serum before your moisturizer*
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USE AN OIL-BASED MOISTURIZER
regular moisturizing reduces the risk of water loss by adding an extra layer of protection to what’s known as your lipid barrier (the outermost part of your skin). your lipid barrier is responsible for maintaining hydration and preventing external irritants from penetrating the skin. aging, over-exfoliating and using harsh products depletes and removes lipids, which leads to a damaged barrier AKA water loss. oil-based products create a protective film over the surface of your skin to help boost your natural barrier function *remember, because oil and water don’t mix, water can’t get through a layer of oil, which is why it should be applied last in order to seal in hydration*[show_shopthepost_widget id="3895003"]