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DRY VS DEHYDRATED SKIN – IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
So you went to a skin specialist or a medispa, and they did a skin analysis.
Dehydrated skin? Oily skin?
Dehydrated and oily skin? Huh???
Let’s start from the beginning.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Apart from just “looking good”, it actually has very important functions. Main functions include protection, regulation and sensation.
- ProtectionSkin’s primary function is to act as a barrier. The skin provides protection from microorganisms, radiation and chemicals, variation in temperature and mechanical impacts and pressure.
- RegulationThe skin regulates several aspects of physiology of the body, namely changes in peripheral circulation, fluid balance via sweat and body temperature via sweat and hair
- Sensation The skin contains an extensive network of nerve cells that detect and relay changes in the environment. There are separate receptors for heat, cold, touch, and pain.
True dry skin lacks oil or lipid barrier.As we age, the lipid barrier decreases, which is why dry skin is much more common in older people. Our skin loses the ability to preserve moisture when the lipid barrier decreases. With dry skin, the characteristics are:
Feels roughAppears dryCan be flaky
Dehydrated skin lacks water.Dehydrated skin tends to look dull and feel tight, even when properly moisturized.
The characteristics of dehydrated skin are:
Feels roughFeels tightLooks dullSensitiveShows fine lines and accelerated signs of ageing
When our skin is dehydrated, the oil glands on the skin tend to release more oil and cause the skin to be prone to breakouts.
Lifestyle recommendations for dehydrated skin:
Drink a lot of waterAvoid alcohol and smokingUse sun protectionEat a balanced diet
HYDRATING VS MOISTURIZING SKIN CAREA moisturizer’s main function is to form a barrier over the skin’s surface and hence reducing trans-epidermal water loss. By forming a protective seal on the skin’s surface, moisturizers are able to reduce the risk of evaporation of existing moisture.
Those with a disrupted lipid barrier often suffer from dry skin conditions, as there is a loss of hydration. This occurs in people with eczema or with old age as with age there is a natural decline in the amount of lipids which help to seal the moisture within the skin.
On the other hand, hydrating products are designed to increase the water content of the skin. This is usually achieved by utilizing the powers of various hygroscopic ingredients (hygroscopic – ability to attract water from its surroundings through absorption or adsorption). Common examples include hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Conventional hyaluronic acid molecules are about 3000 nanometers in diameter and will remain only on the skin’s outer surface. They can be injected into our dermis layer via small needles through treatments like skinboosters, which you can read more here.
At Prive, we are the only ones in Singapore who carry Swedish-owned Cliniccare products.
Through research and innovation, Cliniccare has managed to condensed the hyaluronic acid molecules smaller to just 5 nanometers wide, known as low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. These allow the HAs to penetrate and reach deep into the skin’s layers. Hence, we developed 2 exclusive treatments Hydra-Booster and Hydra-Firm to restore and regenerate your skin from within, giving you glowing healthy looking skin.
Home maintenance is essential too, to ensure your skin is constantly kept hydrated. Check out retail products from Cliniccare Skincare that is sold exclusively at Prive.
Lastly, it is not easy to determine your own skin condition. Your skin could be dry, dehydrated or even both. Call or email us for a complimentary skin analysis to get your skin properly analyzed before choosing any treatment or any skincare products.
Find out more about Faceworks Treatments offered here at Privé Aesthetics.
