Dry vs. Dehydrated

Chilling winter.
Frigid winds are chapping cherished cheeks, hands, and lips. Welcomed heaters are blasting waves of comforting relief, if only less dehydrating.
You feel that tug of tightening skin, but not in a nice way. Is your complexion getting drier? Or more dehydrated? Or strangely oily and dry at the same time?

~ CONFUSION,  BEGONE!

It’s important to understand one of the basic principles of skincare: there is skin type and then there is a skin condition. Skin type is the product of genetics. We are born and blessed with it for life. Skin conditions are problems that arise and can be corrected when properly treated.

Dry skin is a skin type. Skin type is determined by genetics. We are born with one of four skin types (normal, dry, oily and combination.)

Dehydrated skin is a condition anyone can experience, regardless of their skin type. The condition of our skin can vary greatly according to the various internal and external factors it is subjected to.

It is possible to have dry skin and be dehydrated at the same time. Alternatively, one could have an oily skin and be dehydrated. Acne, dehydration, inflammation, redness, dullness and fine lines are all skin conditions.

Dry skin lacks oil. 

Dehydrated skin needs water.

~ HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOUR SKIN TYPE IS DRY?

Now that you know the difference, how do you determine your skin type? 

Easily. 
You can perform a simple wash test. 
Cleanse your face and rinse with warm water. 
Pat dry; do not apply any product. 
Wait an hour. 
Dab your forehead and nose with a tissue and check to see if any oil rubbed off.
If it did, it’s a sign that you might have oily skin. If there is a shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.
If there isn’t any oil and your face feels dry and tight, you may have dry skin.
If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is most likely normal/combination. 

~ HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR SKIN IS CURRENTLY DEHYDRATED?

Perform a pinch test. While this test isn’t definitive, it is a good starting point.

Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek.
If your skin snaps back, you’re likely not dehydrated. 
If it takes a few moments to bounce back, you’re likely dehydrated. With dehydrated skin, you might also notice darker under-eye circles or tired eye appearance.
If you have a dehydrated skin condition, your skin is certainly lacking water. … But here’s where it gets tricky: when skin is dehydrated, it creates more oil to make up for the missing water. This can cause breakouts, irritation and dry patches. Skin can even feel oily and dry at the same time. 

~ WHAT TO DO TO SUPPORT YOUR DRY SKIN TYPE?

Shower in moderate temperature

Use a cream/gel cleanser for gentle removal of debris and dirt

Exfoliate once every two weeks with a gentle acid peel.

Apply ultra-hydrating serums immediately after bath

Pick a thicker, creamier moisturizer combining multiple oils for intense nourishing. 

Stay away from vaseline and petroleum jelly. Rather opt for vitamin-rich shea butter and quick-absorbing jojoba oil.

~ WHAT TO DO TO SUPPORT YOUR DEHYDRATED SKIN CONDITION?

• Use a cream/gel cleanser instead of a foaming one. To read more about proper cleansing, click here.
• Hydrate immediately after showering or washing to retain the maximum amount of moisture within the skin.
• Exfoliate, especially with acid peels.

While it might sound counter-intuitive, it is essential to lift off the dry, dead layer of skin cells to optimize the absorption of your moisturizing products. Acid exfoliation is not about stripping the natural oils away from your skin  — the acids in skincare actually hold moisture in the skin. So in addition to eating away at the dead skin cells, they help our skin retain hydration.

• Layer up with a nightly cream rich in oils and hydrating acids.

Your skincare routine needs a few different hydrating layers in order to keep it healthy. It’s important to carry the humectant ingredients to the deeper layers of your skin. Do use essences, serums, hydrating gels, or lightweight lotions after cleansing. Always start with your most watery products and work up to the most viscous like moisturizers and creams.

Tip: Check out our ultra-hydrating, quick-absorbing Vitamin C Serum with Enhanced Hyaluronic Acid and Shiitake Mushroom Extract.

• Apply a sleeping mask.

It’s important to lock in as much moisture as possible overnight. If you have never considered using a sleeping mask before, now may be the time.

~ EXCLUSIVE TIPS FOR DANCERS & ATHLETES

It can be discouraging to suffer from breakouts while living the healthy, active lifestyles many dancers and athletes do. One could easily attribute acne, redness and unwelcome pimples to insufficient cleansing. However, proper cleansing is just the tip of the iceberg. Read below to learn how to combat stubborn back, chest and neck breakouts. 

• Hormonal Changes ~ Increased Testosterone 

Building muscle mass looks and feels great, however, it increases the levels of testosterone in the blood, which in turn causes breakouts.

• Hormonal Changes ~ Increased Adrenaline

Active competing, performance stress and insufficient sleep ramp up the adrenaline levels for days at a time – yet another invite for those pesky pimples. Consuming coffee and chocolate sends the body into a vicious pick-me-up and crash-me down cycle. This dynamic also directly disturbs the adrenal balance disrupts the sleep cycle. Consuming too much caffeine is a double-whammy: not only does it stress the body but also prevents it from resting – the perfect recipe for a massive breakout.

• Diet plays a massive role. Supplementing with protein powder shakes with whey (a milk protein) can cause inflammation and sebum, and ultimately acne. Eating too much animal protein increase the acid in the body, promotes inflammation and leads to dehydration if one doesn’t balance out with plentiful amounts of vegetables, fruits, and liquids. Too much protein can affect the appearance and texture of the skin in a negative way.
• Sweat, combined with dirt and oil that accumulates on the skin, can clog the pores and cause acne breakouts if you don’t cleanse well after your workout.

~ THE DANCER SOLUTION

• Get enough sleep or if not possible, master a breathing technique to calm the adrenal glands and level-off stress hormones.

TIP: The tried and tested 4-7 rule works like a charm:
Inhale to the count of 4, exhale to the count of 7.
Repeat for five minutes.

• Elaborate a balanced, non-acidic diet. Aim for steady levels of adrenaline and insulin.
• Change out of your sweaty clothes as soon as possible.
• Use cream cleansers on your face
• Use wash-cloths for your back and neck for deeper cleaning
• Exfoliate with mild acid peels. 

While best is to visit a professional dermatologist, If opting for a DIY, we recommend a mild acid peel every three days for oily/combination skin and once a week or less for dry skin. These can be used either day or night – soak two cotton rounds with your product and press – not swipe – the solution into your skin.

• After cleansing, hydrate with a clean, non-comedogenic product free of harsh chemicals, preservatives, dyes, synthetic fragrances, EDTA and anything you might be allergic to.
• Moisturize with products rich in oils, vitamins, minerals, and acids. Make sure you invest in a product that penetrates the skin and delivers nutrients to the deeper layers. Less expensive products tend to “sit” on top of the skin and rub off.  

Finally, remember that no matter what your skin type of condition is, there is always a solution.
We are here for your questions, suggestions or comments. We are also curious to hear how you take care of your skin.

Yours in Beauty, 

Velv8 Skin