My.SkiN.FeeLs.LikE.A.DesErt...DrY.oR.DeHyDraTed?

A constant problem I hear from my customers would be that they have dry skin. And this is not just one or two of them saying this, its many. However I believe about only 25-30% of people have dry skin. What everyone actually should be concerned with is dehydration. More chances than none, the two are confused. So are you a dry skin or a dehydrated skin? 

Many people misdiagnose their own skin when they experience tightness, roughness, uncomfortable or flakiness of the skin. What's important is to know that dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same at all. A person with true dry skin is lacking oils in the skin and a person with dehydrated skin is lacking water in the skin. Yet it is necessary to have both oil and water in the skin to achieve a healthy and radiant glow.

How are each caused?
Dry skin is caused partly by genetics, but usually the main factor is using products that are too harsh for the skin. They strip the skin of the essential natural oils that act as a natural moisturizer. You should never leave your skin feeling dry for a long period or the problem will get harder to treat. The skin will begin to become weak and it will lose water, causing a rough feeling and making it harder to absorb oils.
Dehydrated skin is caused by many factors such as the elements(wind/sun), air conditioners and heaters. It can also be caused by pollution, illness, smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee. The moisture in the skin begins to evaporated very quickly and you may experience tightness, fines lines, loss of radiance and loss of elasticity. If the skin becomes dehydrated then it can no long protect itself from environmental damage. I'd say 9/10 people are dehydrated.

How do we treat them?
Using a product specified for dry skin will help to maintain a balance of enough oils on the skin as well as respect the fragile state of a dry skin. I also recommend using a balancing oil for the skin as this will ensure there is enough oils on the skin to prevent any tightness. Try to not take hot showers and make sure to use a toner.
For a dehydrated skin you should try a serum specialized for dehydration as this is easily added to any skin care routine. You can add the serum under any moisturizer. I also recommend drinking enough water. You will definitely see a difference in the skin between times you do drink enough and times that you do not. When you drink alcohol it is especially important to drink more water or drink something with electrolytes to replenish moisture. Balancing oils for dehydrated skin are also fantastic for anyone.

Making sure to follow a daily skin care routine fit for your skin type will definitely ensure healthy and radiant skin. 
A few products I have found to be effective are:
Dry skin -
La Roche Posay Nutritic transforming care for dry skin (moisturizer), it contains Biolipids which are oil encapsulated in water to deeply hydrate the skin. It was tested in the cold winters or eastern Canada.
Clarins Face treatment oil for dry or extra dry skin - Huile Santal, this is  an oil that you use after toner at night time to replenish the skin of oils.
Clarins HydraQuench Cream for Normal to Dry skin, it is a moisturizer that my store constantly sells out of because it is so good for hydrating dry skin as well as dehydrated skin. AND YES YOU CAN BE BOTH DRY AND DEHYDRATED!
Dehydrated skin -
Guerlain Super aqua serum, it hydrates the skin deeply using desert rose, basically it comes from a rose that can live even in the desert. Cool huh?
Vichy Aqualia Thermal fortifying & soothing 24h hydrating concentrate, this is one of the most popular hydrating serums my store sells. It's light weight and great for all skin types, the technology they put in was that they wanted to hydrate the skin for 24 hours just like contact lenses.
Clarins HydraQuench Cream, it is a moisturizer that my store constantly sells out of because it is so good for hydrating dry skin as well as dehydrated skin. AND YES YOU CAN BE BOTH DRY AND DEHYDRATED!

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