Dry skin vs dehydrated skin. Elixseri serums lined up in a row with water being poured over them against a grey bakground.

Dehydrated skin vs Dry skin

Dehydration and dryness may sound like the same thing, but dehydrated skin and dry skin have different definitions. In simple terms, ‘dehydration’ is your skin condition and is a lack of water in the skin, whereas ‘dryness’ refers to your skin type and is a lack of oil

DEHYDRATION 

Dehydration is a skin condition (and not your skin type). Your skin becomes dehydrated when your body loses more water than it is taking in. Many factors contribute to dehydration such as central heating, weather and seasonal changes, excess caffeine, not drinking enough water and lack of sleep. The good news is that you can easily improve hydration levels with a good skincare routine. 

DRYNESS

Dryness is a genetic skin type whereby your skin is less able to produce natural oils and is lacking in ceramides and lipids. People with dry skin also tend to have dryness in other parts of their body, such as the eyes, lips and hands. They are also more prone to skin conditions such as flaky scalp and eczema. If you have dry skin, you will need to use serums and creams with a higher content of lipid-rich oils.  

HOW TO TACKLE DEHYDRATION AND DRYNESS:

EXFOLIATION IS KEY

Whether your skin is dehydrated or dry, the first and most important step is exfoliation. 

Every day hundreds of thousands of skin cells die, but not all of them are shed. This leads to dead cells accumulating on the surface of your skin and forming a layer which blocks the penetration and efficacy of the products you use. This can lead to signs of dehydration: a dull complexion, flaky skin, and increased lines around your eyes and nose. 

Removing this dead layer of skin with regular exfoliation is crucial to making sure your hydrating products are able to penetrate the deepest layers of your skin. We recommend our award-winning overnight resurfacing serum, Opening Act. 

A green bottle of Elixseri Opening Act resurfacing serum, beauty award winner 2021 and best beauty buys 2020 awards.
OPENING ACT
Award winning overnight resurfacing serum

For all skin types


NEXT STEPS FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN:

DRENCH YOUR SKIN

Once you have exfoliated, drench skin with a deeply hydrating serum such as Rescue Diver. Packed with super-hydrators and water-retaining ingredients, this gel-serum provides skin with deep and long-lasting hydration. You will quickly notice that skin is plumped from within, fine lines are reduced, and comfort is restored.   

A blue glass bottle of Elixseri Rescue Diver hydrating serum and its packaging. Beauty award winner 2023 and 2020
RESCUE DIVER
Hydrating serum

For all skin types


LAYER ON THE COMFORT

For added comfort for dehydrated skin, follow with another serum or a day / night cream. We recommend: 

For dry, normal or combination skin

SMOOTH PLAYER
Line-smoothing serum
A glass orange bottle of Elixseri Smooth Player Line smoothing anti ageing serum standing alongside its packaging

Formulated to provide both water and oils to your skin, this light and creamy serum tackles both dehydration and dryness. It smooths out lines and wrinkles and boosts radiance. Skin feels beautifully soft and healthy.  

For oily or combination skin

FIRM CONVICTION
Lifting and firming serum
A purple glass bottle of Elixseri Firm Conviction lifting and firming serum standing alongside its packaging

This lightweight formula is ideal for oily skin which is dehydrated. It instantly mattifies oily shine and over time, balances sebum production. Skin is hydrated, pores appear tighter and skin feels velvety soft.  


NEXT STEPS FOR DRY SKIN:

STRENGTHEN YOUR LIPID BARRIER

Once you’ve taken care of exfoliation, add a moisturising and nourishing layer of Skin Meditation. Packed with Omega-rich oils, this award-winning serum provides hydration and nourishment to dry skin. It strengthens the skin’s barrier with lipids (ceramides and omega fatty acids), keeping moisture in and making skin more resilient to external elements such as the cold.  

Elixseri's Skin Meditation product and packaging. An anti-stress, anti-redness serum with award icons for Top Santé Beauty Awards 2022 and Hip & Healthy Beauty Awards 2022
SKIN MEDITATION
Anti-stress serum

Ideal for dry skin


MORE ADVICE FROM THE SERUM EXPERTS: 

Take a sip! 

Make sure you are hydrating your skin from the inside out and drink more water! You should drink at least eight glasses a day. 

Supplements are your friend

Treat your skin from the inside out by supplementing with essential fatty acids. We recommend ‘Udos Choice Ultimate Oil Blend’ which is an organic blend of cold pressed seed oils, rich in Omegas.   

GET YOUR PERSONALISED RECOMMENDATION

Everyone’s skin is different so if you are not sure which serum is the best one for your skin type and your skin condition, fill out your Skin Profile. Tell us about your skin and we will recommend the right hydrating serum for you. 


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