Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often spoken about as though they are the same thing. They are not, and understanding the distinction makes it much easier to work out what your routine is missing.
In simple terms, dry skin needs more emollience; dehydrated skin needs more water. You can also be both at the same time.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin generally produces less sebum and may feel rough, tight or flaky. It tends to respond well to ingredients that soften and condition the surface and to moisturisers with enough richness to keep it comfortable.
Our Endless Moisturiser is designed for precisely this kind of need, combining plant-derived squalane and jojoba oil with hydrating ingredients. If skin still wants more conditioning, a few drops of Prickly Pear Seed Oil can be added afterwards.
What is dehydrated skin?
Dehydration is a lack of water in the outer layers of the skin rather than a fixed skin type. That means oily and combination skin can be dehydrated too.
Typical clues include tightness, a less plump appearance or skin that feels uncomfortable after cleansing despite becoming oily later. A water-based serum is often the most useful addition here.
Hydrate Moisture Serum combines humectants including glycerin and sodium hyaluronate in a concentrated, lightweight formula designed to sit beneath moisturiser.
Can skin be both?
Very easily. If your skin needs water and emollience, give it both rather than trying to make one product perform two different jobs. Apply Hydrate first, then moisturiser. Choose Timeless for a lighter finish or Endless when you want richer nourishment.
For very dry-feeling skin, finish with a small amount of Prickly Pear Seed Oil.
The simple routine
Dehydrated: Hydrate → Timeless or Endless.
Dry: Timeless or Endless → Prickly Pear Seed Oil if needed.
Dry and dehydrated: Hydrate → Endless → Prickly Pear Seed Oil if needed.
Skincare becomes much easier when you stop treating every feeling of tightness as the same problem. Work out whether your skin wants water, emollience or both, then give it exactly that.
