What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Dry means a lack of oil and is usually permanent. Dehydrated means a lack of water, can be temporary, and happens to oily skin too.

When should I apply moisturiser?

Within a few minutes of washing, while the skin is still slightly damp.

My skin feels tight after washing. Does that mean it is clean?

No. Tightness means the cleanser was too harsh and has stripped the skin barrier.

Dry and dehydrated skin

Dry skin does not produce enough oil; dehydrated skin does not hold enough water. They are not the same thing and do not have the same solution.

A single water droplet on folded linen fabric in diffused light

Dry skin is usually dry all the time and needs oil. Dehydrated skin can even be oily while looking tight and dull; that needs water.

More things make dryness worse than people expect: very hot water, harsh cleansers, cold air and indoor heating. Shortening a hot shower sometimes does more than changing your cream.

Apply cream to slightly damp skin rather than fully dry skin; it traps the water in.

Visible difference

BeforeAfter
Educational illustration
Over 8 weeks
This image is generated for education, not a photograph of a real customer. It illustrates a visual difference and is not a guaranteed result.