Signs of Dehydrated Skin (and How to Fix It), According to Dermatologists

To help explain the difference between dry and dehydrated skin, Dr. Deanne Mraz, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, put it in simple terms: “Dehydrated skin lacks water and hydration while dry skin lacks its natural oil, sebum. Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a temporary status or condition.” Additionally, dehydrated skin can affect all skin types, from dry to oily. While Dr. Mraz notes that the terms dry and dehydrated are often “used interchangeably,” she says it’s worth knowing the difference.

So, what does dehydrated skin look like? And how can you tell if your skin is dehydrated vs. dry? Although the terms mean different things, there’s a lot of overlap in the visible symptoms of each, complicating matters. Not only that, but dryness can be a symptom of dehydration, Dr. Tasneem Poonawalla, a board-certified dermatologist at Expert Dermatology, told us.

“Dry patches or flakiness are common signs of skin dehydration,” Dr. Poonawalla said. “These are areas where your skin’s moisture barrier has been disrupted, and it can no longer retain water effectively.”

If the dry vs. dehydrated skin conundrum feels like just another skin care riddle to unravel now, know that some skin care products are designed to add both moisture (to address dryness) and hydration (to address dehydration) to the face. That can help simplify your go-forward plan. Valerie Aparovich, a biochemist and certified cosmetologist-aesthetician at OnSkin, says to look for a combination of humectants, emollients, and occlusives — which is the ingredient behind the derm and TikTok-approved slugging trend — to restore moisture and hydration. (We’ll get into the differences between all three of these, as well as more hydration hacks, soon.)

What happens if dry or dehydrated skin is left unchecked? Dr. Liv Kraemer MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Founder of Dr Liv Skin Clinic & Dr Liv Skincare, says the “consequences are the same” for both skin states. Chronically dehydrated skin can lead to acne breakouts, itching, and a loss of skin elasticity, making the face more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging with time. (Meaning that, yes, wrinkles from dehydration are real!) Meanwhile, severely dry skin can also lead to elasticity loss, as well as itchiness and acne.

Ultimately, knowing how to look out for the signs of both dehydrated skin and dry skin ensures you’re not wasting time and money on addressing one without considering the potential role of the other. For each driver of persistently parched skin, we’ll dig into the signs that derms and other skin care experts shared with us so that you know what you’re looking for.

1. Your complexion looks dull.

Aparovich says that “a lack of hydration robs the skin of its natural glow, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance. It also exacerbates uneven texture and tone, preventing light from reflecting as it would on hydrated skin.”

That said, a dull complexion can also be a result of dryness. Dr. Mraz says that dry skin “lacks a bouncy, dewy glow. It can even look tight and more pale than usual.”

2. Your facial skin feels tight, especially after washing it.

Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology, says that “dehydrated skin lacks elasticity, which can feel uncomfortable and tight, especially after washing.” This sensation “often means your skin’s barrier is compromised,” she adds, “reducing its ability to retain moisture and leaving it more susceptible to environmental damage.”

3. Your face is itchy, sore, or red.

When skin is dry, its barrier — or outermost layer — is weakened, Dr. Mraz says. The result? Skin that’s “compromised and more vulnerable to outside irritants, ranging from skin care products and environmental impurities to weather conditions,” she says.