Dry or dehydrated skin? How to tell the difference (and fix it)

Your skin feels tight after cleansing, your foundation clings to rough patches and your fine lines look more obvious than usual. So is your skin dry, or is it dehydrated? The two get mixed up all the time, and they sound like the same thing. They’re not, and knowing which one you’re dealing with makes it much easier to choose the right skincare and treatments.

Dry vs dehydrated: what’s the difference?

Dry skin is a skin type. It lacks oil. Your skin naturally produces less sebum, the oil that helps keep the surface soft and protected, so it can feel rough or tight much of the time. Dry skin is usually something you’ve had for a long while, although it can become more noticeable with age and in the cooler months.

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition. It lacks water. Any skin type can be dehydrated, including oily and breakout-prone skin. It’s usually temporary and is often linked to things like the weather, air-conditioning, long hot showers, harsh products or a busy, stressful stretch.

That’s why you can have skin that is shiny in the T-zone yet still feels tight and looks dull. It may not be short on oil at all. It’s short on water. Plenty of people have both at once, which is why a tailored approach works best.

Signs to look for

Dry skin often shows up as:

• rough, flaky or scaly patches
• a tight feeling, especially after cleansing
• small, barely visible pores
• dullness, with makeup catching on flaky areas
• skin that feels more comfortable as soon as you apply a richer moisturiser

Dehydrated skin often shows up as:

• tightness, even when your skin also looks oily
• fine lines that look more obvious than usual, particularly around the eyes
• a dull, tired look
• makeup that looks patchy or settles into lines through the day
• skin that feels more sensitive or reactive than normal

A simple at-home check: gently pinch a little skin on your cheek. If it creases into fine lines rather than bouncing straight back, dehydration may be playing a part. It’s only a rough guide, though. A professional skin assessment is the clearest way to know what your skin needs.

Everyday habits that help

• Cleanse gently. Use lukewarm rather than hot water and avoid stripping, squeaky-clean cleansers. If your skin feels tight straight after washing, your cleanser may be too harsh for you.
• Don’t over-exfoliate. Exfoliating helps lift dull, flaky cells, but too much can leave skin feeling more irritated and dehydrated. Your therapist can recommend how often suits your skin.
• Layer your hydration. Apply hydrating serums to slightly damp skin, then follow with a moisturiser to help hold that hydration in.
• Watch the air-con. Long days in air-conditioning and the drier winter months can leave skin feeling parched.
• Drink water through the day. It’s good for your overall health, while your skincare does the work on the surface.
• Wear SPF every day. Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best habits for long-term skin health.

Hydrating ingredients and products

Dry skin needs help with nourishment and protection, while dehydrated skin needs water and support to hold on to it. Most people do best with a little of both.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best-known hydrating ingredients. It’s a humectant, which means it draws in and holds water, helping skin look plumper and smoother and making dehydration lines less noticeable. Hyaluronic acid features in the professional treatment serums we use in clinic, such as The Original B, during nano infusion and skin needling treatments.

At home, our Australian Skin Institute range includes several products made for hydration and barrier support:

• Pure Hydration Concentrate Serum ($99), a hydrating serum for your daily routine.
• Barrier Hydration Complex ($99), our “skin reset serum”, for skin that needs barrier support.
• All Day Hydration (from $59), a day cream to finish your morning routine.
• Skin Renewal Hero ($99), a night treatment.
• Hydra-Lift Eye Gel ($59) for the delicate eye area.

Buying a few? Use code ASI3+1 when you buy any four ASI products online and the lowest-priced item is free. If your skin is sensitive or hard to manage, our partner Tugun Compounding Pharmacy compounds personalised skincare. Request an order form and a pharmacist will contact you.

In-clinic treatments for dry and dehydrated skin

Professional treatments can give your skin a boost that’s hard to match at home. These are the ones we reach for most often:

• Hydro Jelly ($180, 40 min) uses Esthemax Hydrojelly® algae-based masks to hydrate skin and help with redness and dullness. It’s also a lovely choice for a pre-event glow.
• LED ($180, 40 min) is painless with no downtime, and red light helps calm inflammation. It isn’t suitable if you’re taking photosensitising medication such as isotretinoin, so let your therapist know about any medications.
• Nano infusion ($275, 50 min) is a gentler alternative to skin needling with little to no downtime. It’s paired with our professional serums, so it’s a great way to get hyaluronic acid working for your skin.

Not sure where to start? A Skin Discovery Treatment includes a consultation and in-depth skin assessment, a Dermal Face Lift Mask, one targeted modality and a homecare plan. It’s usually $180, and new clients pay just $99. You can also book a free 20-minute Advanced Skin Consultation. Learn more on our dry and dehydrated skin page.

For lasting results: programs and memberships

Hydration responds best to consistency. One treatment helps, but a regular routine is what keeps skin comfortable and glowing.

The Barrier & Hydration Program ($800, valued at $1,000, so you save 20%) is designed for stronger hydration results. Over 6 months you’ll have 2 LED treatments, 2 Micro Skin Treatments and 1 Hydro Jelly, plus an ASI Barrier Hydration Complex to use at home.

For ongoing care, Radiance Club is $135 a month for one Radiance Skin Treatment every month (regular value $180, a 25% saving). Your therapist tailors your plan and can choose modalities such as LED or Hydro Jelly to suit your skin on the day. Members also get 20% off Australian Skin Institute and Tugun Compounding Pharmacy retail, plus a Welcome Pack and a Bring-a-Friend voucher when they join. There’s a 6-month minimum term. Compare every option on our memberships page, or read our guide to choosing a Skin Club, Beauty Pass or package.

Ready to book? Let’s find out what your skin really needs. Book online or visit one of our six Brisbane clinics.