Dry skin happens when your skin lacks oil. Dehydrated skin is thirsty for water. Learn how to spot the difference between dry vs dehydrated skin – and fix the issue – in this guide!
It’s easy to mistake dry skin for dehydrated skin (and vice versa). On the surface, the symptoms look alike. However, they’re distinct issues with unique causes and treatments.
In other words: What works for one issue won’t necessarily solve the other. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to spot the difference between dry vs dehydrated skin.
That’s where we step in! Learn the difference between the two and find the right skincare ingredients to hydrate your skin with an “I woke up like this” glow. ✨
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin: An Overview
Dry Skin
Dry skin is genetic and is a specific skin type that requires more moisture because your skin lacks water content. You probably know if you have dry skin, as you likely buy dry skin products that address the issue, like moisturizers and serums that contain lubricating oils to restore lost moisture.
Can dehydration cause dry skin? It won’t change your skin type, but it can cause your complexion to feel drier. And those with dry skin can also experience dehydrated skin, which is caused by a lack of water.
It can feel a little like the chicken or egg scenario, but there are distinct differences, starting with the causes.
Causes of Dry Skin
Dry skin is caused by a lack of sebum (skin oil). This oil is naturally produced to maintain moisture balance while protecting your complexion from external triggers. While dry skin can flare up during the winter months, it’s a genetic skin type that will likely always remain dry.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it, though. The right skincare, supplements, and hydrators can replenish dry skin with necessary oil.
Dehydrated Skin
If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for moisturizer throughout the day and scraping flakes off your cheek, you’ve experienced dehydrated skin. It’s pretty common, especially during the chilly winter months when temps drop and squeeze the moisture from the air. That cold weather also strips your skin of H20. The result is a lackluster, dull complexion.
You might glance in the mirror and see more wrinkles, fine lines, and less elasticity. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. What your skin needs is water hydration, and the best way to get it (outside of loading up on water intake) is with skincare.
Causes of Dehydrated Skin
Your skin gets dehydrated when it loses water. This process is called trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and happens for several reasons, including:
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Overuse of skincare
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Weather and dry climates
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Smoking and alcohol consumption
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Using harsh cleansers or exfoliants
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Not getting enough water
Dry Vs Dehydrated Skin Symptoms
If you’ve mixed up dry vs dehydrated skin, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Both of these issues can invite similar symptoms. Overall, your skin might look dull and lack brightness. Knowing the signs to look for can help you isolate which one you’re dealing with.
Signs of Dry Skin
If you’re wondering how to know if you have dry skin, look out for:
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Dull skin
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Wrinkles and fine lines
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Flakiness
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Scaly skin
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Tightness
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Redness
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Irritation
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Dry patches on face
Signs of Dehydrated Skin
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Dull skin
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Wrinkles and fine lines
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Itching
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Sensitive skin
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Sagging
While several of the symptoms for dry vs dehydrated skin overlap, the key difference lies in isolating whether your skin needs water or oil, aka hydrating vs moisturizing skin care.
Whether your complexion is dry or dehydrated, here’s how to rehydrate skin:
Easy Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
This simple, 3-step skin care routine for dry skin focuses on oil-based moisturizing ingredients.
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Use an oil cleanser: Dry skin is no match for Forever Beaumore’s One & Done Oil Cleanser, a plant-based blend of oils that softly cleanses dirt and irritants while pumping in hydrating jojoba, sunflower seed, argan, and rose hips oils to quench dry skin.
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Use a Vitamin C serum: Our Stem-C Serum is an intensely hydrating dry skin serum packed with one of the best hydrating ingredients for skin, vitamin C. It also tackles dullness, hyperpigmentation, and dryness with Plant Stem Cell technology that seals moisture and rebuilds elasticity.
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Apply a daily moisturizer: Moisture is crucial for dry skin, and our Collagen Beauty Cream is a rich emollient formulated with lubricating beeswax, lanolin oil, carnauba wax, avocado oil, and more plant based extracts to treat your complexion to a moisturizing cocktail.

Best Skincare for Dehydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin needs water asap. Learning how to fix dehydrated skin is as easy as reaching for these moisturizing powerhouses:
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Water: Rehydration doesn’t have to be complicated. Your complexion needs water, and our Water Cream delivers via hydration-packed MoistureZomes, lightweight water fluids that moisturize your skin throughout the day.
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Hyaluronic Acid (HA): This hydrating humectant is a skincare hero holding 1000x its weight in water. Our HA Bright Serum pumps moisture into your pores to penetrate the skin barrier and fade dark spots, plump skin, and restore luminosity and hydration.
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Stem Cells: Did you know that stem cells have potent anti-aging properties? That’s why we formulated our Stem Cell Gel Moisturizer, a refreshing reparative moisturizing gel containing agave stem cells to boost collagen production while intensely hydrating your skin with royal jelly, honey, and propolis.
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Placenta extract: Placenta is an organic moisturizer that deeply nourishes dehydrated skin. Our Placenta Timeless Essence is a bestselling beauty elixir containing sheep’s placental protein, along with rose water and hyaluronic acid, to rehydrate your complexion.
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Night creams: While you catch Zzz’s, your complexion is hard at work repairing and regenerating skin cells. You can support this natural process by applying Forever Beaumore’s Intense Repairing Cream before bed. This advanced night cream contains potent ceramide technology to repair, hydrate, and brighten dehydrated skin.

Ready to hydrate thirsty skin? Visit Forever Beaumore to shop our boutique collection of hydrating skincare, supplements, and wellness products to boost your inner glow. ✨
Disclaimer: **These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult with your doctor before consuming if you are allergic to seafood, pregnant, lactating, or taking any medication or have medical conditions.