Dryness & Dehydration

Dry skin is a consistent skin type: it produces little sebum, tends to feel tight throughout the day, and often has a naturally matte or dull appearance. Dehydration is a temporary state that any skin type can experience. Dehydrated skin often looks dull, shows fine surface lines that improve temporarily when the skin is plumped, and may feel tight even though it produces oil. The pinch test (gently pinching skin and observing whether fine lines appear) is a rough indicator of dehydration.

This is often a sign that the moisturiser contains mostly humectants without adequate emollients or occlusives to seal them in. In dry climates, humectants can draw moisture from deeper skin layers rather than the environment, worsening dryness. Try layering a richer emollient or facial oil over your moisturiser, particularly in the evening, to prevent water escaping overnight.

Yes. Oily skin produces excess sebum but can still lack water in the stratum corneum, particularly if harsh cleansers or over-exfoliation have disrupted the barrier. Lightweight humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin are well suited to oily dehydrated skin because they add water without contributing oil.

Staying adequately hydrated has general health benefits, but the link between water intake and visible skin hydration is weaker than often claimed. Skin hydration is more directly influenced by the condition of the outer barrier, which determines how much water the skin retains, than by the amount of water consumed. Topical barrier repair is more effective for visible results.

Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) is the passive diffusion of water through the skin to the outer surface, where it evaporates. A healthy intact barrier keeps TEWL low. When the barrier is compromised, TEWL increases, causing the skin to feel persistently dry and tight regardless of how much moisturiser is applied. Ingredients that restore the lipid bilayer (ceramides, fatty acids, squalane) directly address elevated TEWL.