Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

What's the difference? + How to care for each

So, we make skin care products out of plants and we’re pretty sure that if we did a poll, we wouldn’t get 100% of our employees to say there’s a difference between dry and dehydrated skin. On the surface they seem like the same thing, but once you do a little reading the difference is clear.

The difference

Dry skin is a skin type. People are born with it and it’s genetic. Your skin lacks lipids, feels dry all over--including your hands and scalp--and stays dry regardless of the season. With dry skin you might also notice white flakes, redness, and irritation. People with dry skin also note an increased incidence of psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis

Dehydrated skin is a condition. It's the lack of water in your skin. Anyone can have it. Your skin can feel oily or dry. You might also experience darker under-eye circles, itchiness, or more lines and wrinkles with dehydrated skin. An easy way to check is if you pinch the skin, on the back of your hand for instance, and it doesn’t snap right back you’re probably dehydrated.

What to do

Dry skin can be aided with the right diet and good water intake. As we discovered in our blog about foods that combat dry skin, foods rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants help your body produce skin oils and boost the elasticity, strength, and moisture levels in your skin. In addition, you’re going to want to use a moisturizing skin product daily, maybe even several times a day. Products with nut and plant oils have proven very effective in protecting, nourishing, and moisturizing dry skin.

Dehydrated skin needs more water.
Moisture-rich fruits and veggies like cucumber and watermelon will help you fight dehydration too. Foods with hyaluronic acid, like root vegetables, citrus, and leafy greens can help too. Hyaluronic acid aids in skin cell renewal, increasing elasticity, boosting collagen, and keeping your skin plump. A rose water or something like it can also help throughout the day, as can topical products with aloe and honey.

What if you have dry skin and dehydrated skin at the same time?
For these moments, obviously the best first step is water and diet. Next we suggest something light, gentle, and plant oil based. Maybe use a thicker moisturizer once or twice a day when you have a moment to let it soak in, followed by spot treatments on troubled skin throughout the day. We’d add some healthy indoor plants and a humidifier to your house too. The more natural moisture you have in the air around you, the better.

Whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, Green Goo’s got you covered

We have Hand Goo, Skin Repair, and Dry Skin that all address hydrating and moisturizing your skin to some degree and have different formulations of plant-based ingredients. Our Dry Skin salve can be your daily moisturizers while Hand Goo tackles fingers, wrists, and palms, and our Skin Repair comes to the rescue around your head and neck. Our Face Wash is oil based and great for daily skin conditioning. Even our lip balm can be used as a moisturizer of more than lips.

This is the part where we ask you for help.

What did we miss? Did we get anything wrong or maybe just said it in a confusing way? Do you have an itchy-skin cure that always seems to work, or a plant that always soothes your skin at the end of the day? Let us know and we’ll extend the conversation.