Is dry skin or dehydrated skin the same to you?  When the skin lacks water or lipids, it manifests its needs by sending you different signals, including loss of radiance, feelings of tightness or flaking.  This discomfort can be temporary or chronic. Whether you experience dryness or dehydration, it's time to take control of your skin!

Dehydrated skin – Lacking in water

Water is life!  When the skin lacks water, it will let you know.  When the skin feels uncomfortable and rough with localized tightness or produces dander, it is telling you that it is not in top shape.  It is the surface layer of the epidermis and its hydrolipidic film that are altered and, thereby, struggle to retain the water naturally present in the skin.  A whole series of factors can produce dehydration, such as cold climate, pollution, stress, tobacco, UV rays or fatigue.  As a result, all skin types (oily, combination or dry) can experience dehydration at any point in your life.  Luckily, it is still a temporary and reversible condition with appropriate care. The solution?  Hydration!  A milk, balm or cream is the key to providing the skin with all the water it needs to regain lasting radiance and comfort.  Naturally hydrating, Uriage Thermal Water, present in Uriage skincare, perfectly meets the intense needs of dehydrated skin.

Dry skin – A chronic skin type

Unlike dehydrated skin, dry or very dry skin is a permanent condition; similar to other skin types, such as oily or combination skin.  In this case, not only does the skin lack water, but also lipids.  The skin produces signs of discomfort, with feelings of tightness and sometimes burning.  The drier your skin is, the more severe the symptoms you experience will be.  Sometimes, it will produce scabs or chapped skin, resulting in favorable conditions for eczema or atomic dermatitis in children.

Often innate and well-established, skin dryness can be exacerbated by external, climatic or environmental factors. In any case, if you have dry or very dry skin, it is essential to respect your skin type and apply appropriate care on a daily basis.  For dry skin, you must first restore the balance of the hydrolipidic film of your epidermis by providing it with enough water and lipids.

At Uriage, the XÉMOSE range has been specifically formulated for dry to very dry skin with atopic tendency.  This range of different emollient skincare products, such as ANTI-ITCH SOOTHING OIL BALM, CLEANSING SOOTHING OIL, LIPID-REPLENISHING CREAM and FACE CREAM provide the skin with immediate and lasting comfort.

Hydrate or nourish?

As you now understand, dry skin and dehydrated skin are two significantly different skin problems. If you cannot identify the cause of the discomfort in your skin, it is best to go see a dermatologist who can make an accurate diagnosis.  You can then adopt an adapted care routine to meet your skin's needs, in terms of water and / or lipid replenishment.  In any case, remember to drink enough water throughout the day (minimum 1.5L), to cleanse with gentle products and to protect your skin from external aggressions such as UV.

You will finally have supple and soft skin of your dreams!