Whilst the causes of these two states are different (dry skin is a skin type that is caused by lack of oil and dehydrated skin is a temporary state caused by lack of water), the signs on your skin are remarkably similar.

Both dry and dehydrated skin usually result in a feeling of tautness, a lack of radiance and skin that feels coarse to the touch. However, there are a few distinct differences that may help you assess whether your skin is dry or dehydrated. 

With dry skin you are more likely to see more extreme signs of dryness, such as flaking, cracking or itching. With dehydrated skin you are likely to see other visible signs of dehydration - such as dark circles and more pronounced fine lines, which may come and go depending on your lifestyle factors (e.g. how much water you are consuming, exercise or adjusting to a warmer climate). 

Although they are different issues, there are ways you can address both - supporting your skin barrier with hydrating and protective skincare products (specifically cleansers and moisturizers rich in moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, amino acids or vitamin E), as well as lifestyle factors such limiting baths and showers and ensuring the temperature of the water is approximately body temperature, or using hypoallergenic detergents for your clothing. For dehydrated skin, it’s also important to ensure a healthy diet including water-rich vegetables and fruits, and ensuring you are adequately hydrating with water each day.

Our JOY Prescription: Support your skin barrier by cleansing with Vitamin-E enhanced MOON SWIM Body Wash, and following with a potently-formulated moisturizer such as LITTLE LOVE Body Lotion or SUNDAY SOFA Body Butter - both rich in hyaluronic acid and amino acids.