Dry vs Dehydrated Skin: Which Do You Have and How Should You Treat It?

Winter is the perfect time to nurture your skin barrier. During this season, you may notice that your skin feels particularly tight, dry, and more easily irritated. The combination of cold weather outdoors and dry indoor heat can steal moisture from your skin, leading to dehydration. But what’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Let’s break it down:

Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin

Dry skin is a skin type, related to the natural amount of oil your skin produces. Those with dry skin often feel the need to reach for a moisturizer within minutes of cleansing their skin. They also start to notice fine lines and crepey texture developing around their eyes, mouth, and cheeks earlier than those with oiler skin types. However, a silver lining for people with dry skin is that their pores tend to be less visible.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a concern related to the water content in your skin. Hydrated skin reflects light evenly, which gives off a radiant glow. In contrast, dehydrated skin loses elasticity and can appear dull—both because it struggles to exfoliate naturally and because the light is either absorbed or scattered by the skin’s surface. All skin types (dry, normal, oily, combination) can become dehydrated, especially in winter. For example, you can have oily skin that is dehydrated—it might feel tight, but still appear shiny. Dry skin is particularly vulnerable to dehydration during the colder months, and when both dryness and dehydration occur, the skin can feel tight and uncomfortable, with fine lines and wrinkles appearing more prominent.

How do you treat dehydrated skin?

Incorporate serums with humectants—ingredients that pull moisture into the skin, like hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and glycerin.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Try to use a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom to increase the moisture levels in the air while you sleep.

How do you treat dry skin?

Add extra layers to your skincare routine, focusing on a rich moisturizer with barrier-supportive ingredients like ceramides, squalane, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil.
Consider adding what I call an “SOS” layer on top of your moisturizer for targeted relief. Use a recovery balm or rich cream featuring ingredients like centella asiatica and panthenol for areas that need extra care.

Dry and dehydrated skin often go hand in hand, making hydration essential for maintaining your skin’s long-term health. When your skin barrier is compromised—like when your moisturizer lacks sufficient healthy oils—water evaporates from the skin's surface, leaving it dehydrated. Supporting the skin barrier with a rich, non-comedogenic moisturizer containing ceramides and plant-based oils can deliver both immediate relief and lasting benefits.

Here’s to healthy, glowing skincare all winter long!