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Dehydrated vrs Dry Skin


Often times we tend to confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin and vice versa. This is expected due to how similar they are. However, there are some major differences between the two. Whilst there's a deficit of water in dehydrated skin, dry skin lacks natural oils or what is referred to as sebum. Another major difference between the two is that whilst dehydrated skin in a skin condition, dry skin is a skin type. Hopefully, this clears up the confusion between the two.

Now that we've established the main differences between the two, let's further dive into some differences.

Dehydrated Skin

Having dehydrated skin is your body's way of telling you to drink more water. You're probably losing a lot of water through exercising or frequent urination. The most important thing from here on now is to consume a lot of fluids to make up for what you're losing.

What are the major indicators of dehydrated skin?

  • Dull skin
  • Dark spots or the shadow effect around the face
  • Surface wrinkles
  • Itchy skin
  • Dark circles around eyes 

Some people tend to have very severe cases of general dehydration, which may present as dizziness, general weakness, dry mouth and/or throat and sometimes darker urine. Medical attention ought to be sought if you have severe dehydration. 

Treating dehydrated skin

Treating dehydrated skin has a lot to do with lifestyle changes as well as altering the products used. You may want to try the following

  • Incorporate plant-based foods in your diet eg. legumes, green vegetables, fruits, etc
  • Drink a lot of water whilst exercising
  • If possible, stop drinking alcohol or significantly reduce its intake
  • Stop smoking
  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep daily

Dry Skin

As a skin type, dry skin tends to look more flaky or scaly in severe cases due to its lack of oils. It is usually caused by environmental factors including having hot showers, being in extreme heat or arid climates and using harsh soaps among others.

Major indicators of dry skin

  • Incidence of redness or irritation
  • Flaky or scaly skin
  • Formation of eczema or other skin conditions such as psoriasis

Treating dry skin

Dry skin if left untreated could further exacerbate its attending problems. You may want to try the following

  • Moisturize damp skin with Shea body oil or coconut oil
  • Switch to lukewarm instead of hot bathwater
  • Incorporate oatmeal into your bath regimen
  • Add petroleum jelly to your moisturizer to seal in moisture
  • Don't stay too long in the shower
  • Avoid tightly-fitting dresses and heavy clothing 

Now that we know the major differences between dry and dehydrated skin, let's pay attention to how we manage each. Remember, very dry skin could mean you need to visit the Doctor. For further consultation on skin care, please do not hesitate to contact Kaydua Luxury on +233 596 050 073 or @kaydualuxury via Facebook and Instagram  


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