**Updated July 2025
I think we've all experienced at least temporarily dry or dehydrated skin. That tight, itchy, unpleasant feeling is enough to drive you crazy, especially if it's a chronic issue.
If you feel like your skin has become a bottomless pit for moisturizer and you're hoping to figure out how to give your skin what it needs, we're here to help.
Dry Skin v Dehydrated Skin
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are used interchangeably, but they're actually totally different despite having similar symptoms.
Dry skin is a genetically determined skin type, that can be treated but not entirely changed, like having naturally oily or acne prone skin, which overproduces oil. Dry skin under produces sebum, the natural oil in our skin, meaning dry skin will rarely feel oily.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a undersupply of water in the epidermis as a result of your environment and lifestyle. Skin also naturally becomes dehydrated with age, as we use our innate supply of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), the hydrophilic compound that helps retain moisture in the skin. With dehydrated skin, you may overproduce sebum to compensate for the dehydration, so it may be confused for oily or combination skin.
How to tell if you have dehydrated or dry skin
How can you know if your skin symptoms are a result of dry or dehydrated skin?
We put together a list of symptoms caused by each condition to help determine the root cause so you can better treat it.
Dry Skin Symptoms:
- Consistently dry or rough skin
- Changes in environment and lifestyle don't significantly impact dryness
- Dry skin across the body including arms & legs
- Skin doesn't feel oily without applying products
- Low sebum production
Dehydrated Skin Symptoms:
- Intermittently dry or rough skin
- Skin's moisture level changes with season and lifestyle
- Skin may feel oily as oil production ramps up to compensate
- Experiencing signs of general dehydration like dark and/or infrequent urine headaches, or muscle cramps
Symptoms of either condition:
- Tight, itchy feeling
- Flaky, peeling skin
- Dull tone
How to Treat Dry Skin
- Protect your skin's natural oils. Since your dry skin produces less oil than it should, an important step is avoid anything that strips oil away. Wash your face with lukewarm water and use a gentle cleanser. Try to use alcohol-free or low alcohol products, and avoid most fragrances. A good rule of thumb is to stick with products formulated specifically for dry or sensitive skin.
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Boost skin's oil production naturally. Since dry skin is largely genetic, you likely won't be able to change it completely, but there is evidence to suggest your diet impacts sebum production. It's far from a perfect science, but if you experiment with dietary changes that increase consumption of fatty acids, and/or carbohydrates, you may see slight improvements.
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Apply moisturizers to wet skin. It may seem like a small change, but applying moisturizers, including body lotion to wet skin, improves absorption and moisturization. Apply body lotion fresh out of the shower, and use a toner or apply products to skin right after washing your face for improved skin hydration.
How to Treat Dehydrated Skin
Skin skin dehydration is frequently caused by lifestyle issues, there are easy ways to help alleviate symptoms. Here are a few ways to hydrate your skin:
- Drink water consistently. Since dehydration of your whole body can lead to dehydrated skin, a quick way to help your skin rehydrate is to make sure you're drinking enough water every day. It's also a good idea to eat more water-rich fruits and vegetables to help replenish your electrolytes.
- Use products with HA. Hyaluronic Acid within the skin retains water content naturally. As we age, our natural supply diminishes, leading to dehydrated, less plump looking skin, so it's good to replenish it with HA from skincare products. Just be sure to choose a product with low molecular weight HA (like sodium hyaluronate) so your skin can actually absorb it.
- Apply moisturizers to wet skin. It may seem like a small change, but applying moisturizers, including body lotion to wet skin, improves absorption and moisturization. Apply body lotion fresh out of the shower, and use a toner or apply products to skin right after washing your face for improved skin hydration. This is also a good idea for products with HA if you live in a dry climate, since HA can pull water from your skin when atmospheric water is low.
- Protect your skin from the sun. Spending time in the sun is a major contributor to transepidermal water loss by exaporation. Avoid being outside during peak hours, and wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. And of course, always wear sunscreen to keep your skin safe.
Product Recommendations for Dry Skin
Alastin Skincare Gentle Cleanser
This gentle, alcohol-free cleanser is designed to clean your face without stripping away natural oils, making it perfect for sensitive or dry skin.
It also contains vitamins, plus moisturizing and soothing ingredients to help nourish, soften and smooth skin.
Additional recommendation: Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion, Senté Daily Soothing Cleanser.
Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse
If you have dry skin and don't use a toner, give this toner a try. It's alcohol-free and packed with moisturizing, soothing botanical ingredients like aloe vera and arnica montana extract.
It's a perfect way to add a little moisture to your skin at the beginning of your skincare regimen, or to refresh skin occasionally through the day.
Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum
This comprehensive hydrating serum is a well-rounded anti-aging serum that works well for dry skin, especially mature or aging dry skin.
With HA, peptides, vitamins, and moisturizers, it delivers everything your skin needs to be healthy and strong. Helping to strengthen your skin barrier will help your skin retain moisture, and look & feel better.
Senté Dermal Repair Ultra Nourish Creme
Specifically designed for people with dry or sensitive skin, this moisturizer has everything you need to nourish and moisturize your face.
Formulated with replenishing lipids and soothing compounds, this cream deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens skin.
Product Recommendations for Dehydrated Skin
Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion
With its soothing, creamy formulation, this cleanser is perfect for removing makeup and cleansing skin from environmental pollutants without stripping skin.
With gentle cleansing agents, moisturizers, vitamins, and botanicals like squalane and lavender extract, this is a perfect cleanser for those with sensitive, dry, or dehydrated skin.
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
With 5 different forms of HA, including high and low molecular weight forms, SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is a comprehensive way to rebuild your skin's ability to retain moisture.
Some of the HA will sit at the skin's surface and produce an immediate plumping effect, while other forms absorb into the epidermis and help the body produce its own HA again.
This moisturizing mist is formulated with water, vitamins, moisturizers, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish your skin whenever it needs a boost.
You can use it as a toner after cleansing to help product absorption, and spray throughout the day as needed for a refreshing, hydrating pick me up.
You can use a hydrating mask to nourish skin and boost hydration periodically.
Jan Marini Hyla3D Face Mask is formulated with multiple kinds of hyaluronic acid, plus peptides and moisturizers to smooth, soften, and hydrate your skin when you're ready for some pampering.
Overall, it is tricky to identify if your skin is dehydrated as it can affect both dry skin or oily skin individuals. Once you know the source of your red, scaly, itchy, dull or taunt skin you can change up your lifestyle and use select skincare products to achieve a youthful, clear appearance.
