"Imagine, a few days ago, I went to a beautician for a facial cleansing. She looks at me under that magnifying glass and bright light, presses a little, pinches a bit, and says my skin is very dehydrated... How is that possible when I belong to the oily skin type and I've been fighting all my life not to shine like a lightbulb? Besides, I've been taking care of my skin probably since my teenage years... And now suddenly it's dehydrated? Did I worsen the situation by treating it incorrectly without knowing? I always thought that dehydrated skin is actually dry, turns out I've been wrong my whole life...", recently complained a friend to another friend. She considers herself to be quite knowledgeable about skincare, skin types, and products, so the information she received from the beautician slightly undermined her confidence in the beneficial skincare routines. This casual female conversation reveals one of the most common misconceptions about skin - that dry and dehydrated skin are the same."

EVERY SKIN TYPE CAN BE DEHYDRATED

So, if you think that dry and dehydrated skin are the same - you're wrong. But you're not alone. Many people think the same as you. Everyone is familiar with the general classification of skin into normal, dry, oily, and combination skin. However, things get more complicated when we realize that every skin type can simultaneously be dehydrated. If the type and condition of the skin are not well determined, daily care cannot be adequate, and many end up choosing the wrong cosmetic product, which can further complicate the issues with the skin...

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEHYDRATED AND DRY SKIN?

The main question is what do we actually want to determine by distinguishing between dehydrated and dry skin. The simplest answer is - we want to know whether the skin is only superficially dry or if the lack of hydration is its deep-seated problem. This affects skincare because detecting the condition and type of skin will tell us whether we need a good moisturizing cream to provide moisture or if something heavier, "oilier", with lipids and oils, would be better. First and foremost, it's important to know that dry skin is a skin type, while skin dehydration is a condition. This means that, for example, dry skin with proper care will not be dehydrated, but normal, combination, or oily skin will definitely crave additional moisture if the problem of dehydration is not recognized. Dry skin is often genetically conditioned and can be inherited from mothers to daughters. It will be dry even if a person drinks enough water, although there is a belief that liters of water a day can solve the problem.

SPECIFICITIES OF DRY SKIN

Dry skin has its own specificities, the most recognizable being:

• Lack of oil
• Lack of sebum
• Lack of lipids, making it unable to retain moisture
• Lack of hydrolipid protection against the negative effects of the environment
• It's thin, sensitive, transparent
• Prone to flaking of the upper layer
• Lacks radiance

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is not a type but a condition, which is a consequence of the inevitability that the skin, like the entire human body, changes over the years, influenced by seasons, weather conditions, age, lifestyle, and natural and living environment. Dehydration is caused by many external factors, such as strong wind and cold, air conditioning, unhealthy and unbalanced diet, smoking, UV radiation, excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol...

SPECIALTIES OF DEHYDRATED SKIN

The specificities of dehydrated skin include:

• Deep-seated lack of moisture, not oil
• It may appear more wrinkled, with lines and wrinkles becoming more pronounced deeper
• It often gives the impression of being dull or grayish
• Sometimes, redness may occur
• In individuals with prominent dark circles, they may become even more pronounced
• Prone to inflammation and pore congestion
• Itching

Every skin type can be dehydrated, and when this happens, for example, to those with oily skin, the problem is exacerbated by the use of overly aggressive products aimed at degreasing the skin, enlarging the pores, and mattifying the complexion, which otherwise tends to shine.

TWO TESTS TO CHECK FOR SKIN DEHYDRATION AND DRYNESS

If you're unsure whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, you can test it. Here are two simple methods:

FIRST TEST:

Pinch your cheek. If the skin wrinkles under gentle pressure instead of retaining its shape, your skin cells are desperately in need of water – your skin is dehydrated!

SECOND TEST:

Wash your face with lukewarm water and do not apply any products afterward. Wait at least an hour or overnight. If you have dehydrated skin, you may feel uncomfortable tightness and a strong need for moisturizer. Dry skin, on the other hand, may feel tight and flaky.

NIKEL TIPS

Unlike dry skin, which won't disappear or change into another type simply by drinking more water, the quickest way to reduce the problem of dehydrated skin is to increase fluid intake, especially those containing electrolytes. Antioxidants will keep the skin soft and supple, and it's advisable to obtain them through increased consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Always use creams with a protective factor. Optimal protection is provided by SPF 30. Avoid washing with hot water and using rough brushes or other facial scrubbing tools. The key to solving the problem lies, of course, in proper care, so be mindful when choosing skincare products.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

The NiKEL product line Control 365 ensures deep hydration. The name of the line itself suggests - TAKE CONTROL and by regularly using these products throughout the year, shine in your beauty. We recommend the Control 365 Insert Aqua cream, which provides 24-hour refreshing hydration with Swiss glacier water encapsulated in liposomes. Another excellent choice is the NiKELHIDRIS cream, a very rich moisturizing cream with a maximum concentration of active ingredients for freshness and youthfulness of the skin. It creates "moisture reservoirs" in the skin cells, giving the skin fullness and suppleness. For protecting the skin from dehydration, there is the Evening Primrose Oil for dehydrated skin. It restores the skin's surface layer and prevents moisture loss.