Is your skin really Dry??

How to tell the difference between Dry and Dehydrated Skin

Most people people with tight, flaky skin often think they have "dry skin".  The truth is 90% of people who believe they have "dry" skin really have "dehydrated skin".  This is a much more common condition whereby the skin is lacking the appropriate amount of water on the skin's surface. 

Dehydrated skin is prone to fine lines and wrinkles. It will often appear thin, fine in texture, and course to the touch.  This can occur from diet (lack of water intake, high caffeine intake, alcohol intake, etc.), as a side effect from medication, or as a result of heredity.

Truly "dry" (oil-dry)/alipidic skin conditions occur when sebaceous glands are sluggish and fail to produce enough sebum (oil) on the surface of the skin.  This typically occurs with mature skin.  It is uncommon to find alipidic skin conditions on people who are younger than 50.

If people with dehydrated skin utilize products formulated for dry skin - the introduction of sebum producing materials and heavy moisturizers can cause the skin to break out. 

Have dehydrated skin? Look for products with humectants (water magnets): glycerin, sodium PCA, hylauronic acid (the best), and alpha hydroxy acids (which are great exfoliatants but are also excellent hydrators).

Oil-Dry/alipidic skin?  Look for products with both humectants and emolliants such as fatty acids (stearic acid, caprylic acid) and silicones (although some people consider them controversial).  It is imperative that you truly have oil-dry skin before using these products on your face.