If your skin feels rough, itchy, or tight even after applying cream, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with dry skin and often use moisturisers without much relief. But here’s what most of us don’t realise—dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same, and treating them correctly makes all the difference.
“People think dry skin just means lack of moisture, so they keep applying cream after cream. But if your skin lacks water and not oil, you’re dealing with dehydration, not dryness,” explains Dr Vikram Lahoria, Consultant Dermatologist and Medical Advisor, Ceuticoz.
Dr Lahoria explains the real difference between hydration and moisturisation, and how knowing this can help you choose the right products for healthy, glowing skin.
Hydration vs moisturisation: What’s the difference?
“Hydration is about water, moisturisation is about oil,” says Dr Lahoria.
When your skin is hydrated, it feels soft, plump, and fresh. Hydrating products help increase water content in the skin. On the other hand, moisturisers help lock that water in and prevent it from escaping.
“You can apply a moisturiser, but if your skin doesn’t have enough water to begin with, it will still feel dry. That’s why both steps are important,” he explains.
Dehydrated skin vs dry skin
It’s easy to confuse the two, but here’s how to tell the difference:
- Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition. It lacks water. Signs include dullness, tightness, or fine lines. Even oily or acne-prone skin can be dehydrated.
- Dry skin is a skin type. It lacks oil and often feels flaky, itchy, and rough.
“Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean it’s hydrated,” warns Dr Lahoria. “Many people with oily skin skip hydration, which can lead to irritation and breakouts.”
Skin needs change with the weather
Our skin reacts differently to summer and winter.
“In winter, the air is dry and cold, and indoor heaters make it worse. Skin loses both water and oil,” says Dr Lahoria. This makes the skin feel rough and tight. He recommends thick creams and hydrating serums with ingredients like urea, ceramides, or shea butter in cold months.
“In summer, even though the skin gets oily and sweaty, it may still lack hydration,” he explains. “Sweat can strip away natural moisture.” He suggests using lightweight gel-based hydration with aloe vera, cucumber, or hyaluronic acid during hot and humid weather.
How to pick the right products
A simple skincare rule: Hydrate first, moisturise second.
- Hydrating products contain humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea. These attract water to the skin.
- Moisturisers contain ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, jojoba oil, or argan oil. These help seal the hydration and repair the skin barrier.
“Apply hydrating products on slightly damp skin, then seal it with a moisturiser. This way, the water stays locked in,” says Dr Lahoria.
Why you need both
Think of your skin like a sponge. “A dry sponge becomes hard and cracks. Hydration fills it with water, moisturisation keeps it soft and flexible,” says Dr Lahoria.
Skipping either step can make your skin look dull, feel tight, or even trigger breakouts due to a damaged skin barrier.
Listen to your skin
Dr Lahoria’s advice is simple: “Pay attention to how your skin feels. If it looks tired and feels tight, it needs hydration. If it’s rough or flaky, it needs moisturisation—or both.”
He also suggests drinking enough water, avoiding harsh soaps, and following a basic skincare routine with gentle cleansing, a hydrating serum, and a moisturiser suitable for your skin type.
Hydration and moisturisation are essential for keeping skin healthy, smooth, and glowing. “Once you understand what your skin needs, you don’t need expensive products or complicated routines,” says Dr Lahoria.
So next time your skin feels off, don’t guess, instead ask yourself: Is my skin dry, dehydrated, or both? Then treat it with care.
