Dry skin is a skin type: it makes less oil. Dehydrated skin is a condition: it is short of water, and any skin type can have it, oily skin included. The two feel alike, so it is easy to treat one as the other. Here is how to tell them apart and what each one needs.
How to tell them apart
| Dry skin | Dehydrated skin | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A skin type. It makes less oil. | A condition. It is short of water. |
| Who gets it | Some people, most of the year. | Any skin type, oily skin too. |
| How it feels | Rough or flaky, sometimes red or itchy. | Tight and dull. |
| What helps | Richer products that put oil back. | Ingredients that draw in water, then a layer that holds it. |
Look at the shine. Dry skin rarely turns shiny. If your forehead and nose get oily by the afternoon while your cheeks feel tight, that points to dehydration.
Look at the timing. Dehydration comes and goes with the weather, the heating and your routine. Dry skin stays dry.
It can be both. Dry skin can be dehydrated at the same time. Then it needs both kinds of care below.
Why winter makes it worse
Cold air outside and dry heating inside both take water from your skin. Hot showers and foaming cleansers that leave your face squeaky add to it.
Turn the water down to lukewarm, use a mild cleanser and pat your face dry. Then put the hydrating step on straight after.
What dehydrated skin needs
Water first. Look for ingredients that draw water into the skin and hold it there. Glycerin, saccharide isomerate, sodium PCA and betaine all do this.
Then a layer on top. A moisturiser over your hydrating step slows down how fast that water leaves again.
Keep it light. Heavy oils on their own don't add water, so they do less for dehydrated skin than you would expect.
In the COMIS range, Multi Essence hydrates and calms with niacinamide, glycerin and betaine. Supreme Serum follows with saccharide isomerate and sodium PCA, which hold moisture in the skin, plus niacinamide and fermented oat for the barrier. Mist Multi Essence first, then Supreme Serum.
Hydration DuoMulti Essence and Supreme Serum. Water in, then held in, misted with the MultiMist.Read more
What dry skin needs
Oil back in. Dry skin makes less of its own oil, so it needs a richer moisturiser than most. Creams with ceramides help, because ceramides are part of the skin barrier itself.
Water as well. Dry skin is often dehydrated too, so keep the hydrating step under the cream.
A short, steady routine. For dry skin, mist Supreme Serum every evening for 7 days, about 20 seconds each time. Then 2 to 3 evenings a week is enough.
If your skin stings, burns or flakes even with good care, the barrier may be damaged. See how to repair your skin barrier, and see a doctor or dermatologist if it doesn't improve.
A routine for both
Morning. Mild cleanser, then Multi Essence for about 5 seconds. Moisturiser, then SPF.
Evening. Mild cleanser, then Multi Essence and Supreme Serum, about 5 seconds each. Finish with moisturiser, a richer one if your skin is dry.
During the day. A short mist of Multi Essence over your skin when it feels tight, for example in a heated office.
For the order of every step, see skincare routine order.
Hydration without rubbing
The MultiMist puts essence and serum on in a fine mist, so tight, dry skin gets the water without the friction.
FAQ
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin is a skin type that makes less oil. Dehydrated skin is short of water, and any skin type can be, oily skin included.
Can oily skin be dehydrated?
Yes. Skin can make plenty of oil and still be short of water, which is why it can feel tight and look shiny at the same time.
Why is my skin more dehydrated in winter?
Cold air outside and dry heating inside both take water from your skin. Hot showers and harsh cleansers make it worse.
How do I hydrate dehydrated skin?
Use ingredients that draw water in, like glycerin or saccharide isomerate, then a moisturiser on top to hold it. Keep cleansing gentle while your skin recovers.
Can I self-tan dehydrated skin?
Yes, but hydrate first. Dry patches hold more tan and go darker, so see how to self-tan your face for the prep.
More questions about the device and capsules? See the MultiMist FAQ.