When it comes to skincare, knowing your skin is everything. But one of the most common areas of confusion? Understanding the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. While they can look and feel similar, they are actually two very different concerns — and treating them effectively starts with knowing which you're dealing with.
Dry Skin Is a Skin Type
Dry skin is something you're born with, just like other skin types. It’s determined by your genetics and remains consistent throughout your life (though it can be exacerbated by lifestyle or environmental factors).
Dry skin typically lacks oil (sebum), which is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy skin barrier. Without enough oil, skin may feel tight, rough, and appear flaky or even irritated.
Signs of Dry Skin:
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Consistent rough or flaky patches
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A feeling of tightness, especially after cleansing (even more so if you use the wrong cleanser!)
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Skin that rarely looks shiny or feels oily
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More visible fine lines due to lack of oil
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Often feels uncomfortable in colder months
Common Skin Types:
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Normal – balanced oil and hydration
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Oily – excess sebum production
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Combination – a mix of oily and dry areas
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Dry – consistent lack of oil
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Sensitive – prone to redness, reactivity, or inflammation
Dry skin, as a type, needs nourishment, lipid-rich moisturisers, and barrier support to stay comfortable and healthy.
Dehydrated Skin Is a Condition
Unlike dry skin, dehydrated skin is temporary and good news: it’s totally manageable! Dehydration refers to a lack of water in the skin, not oil. This means that even oily skin types can suffer from dehydration.
Think air conditioning, stress, poor diet, travel, aggressive or stripping skincare often leaves most of us at least slightly dehydrated, even if we don’t realise it.
Signs of Dehydrated Skin:
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Dull, tired-looking complexion
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Fine lines that disappear when you moisturise
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Skin that feels tight, but may still feel oily
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Increased sensitivity or inflammation
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Makeup sitting poorly or flaking off
Dehydrated skin needs hydration, especially humectants like hyaluronic acid, and ingredients that draw moisture into the skin while repairing the skin barrier.
At MIE Skincare, our ethos is simple: your skincare should work harder for you. That’s why our formulas are multi-functional — designed to support both dry skin types and dehydrated conditions.
Tri-Active Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Ideal for dehydrated skin, this serum is packed with multi-molecular hyaluronic acid, and panthenol to hydrate deeply, plump out fine lines, and restore a glowing, comfortable complexion — without adding oil.
→ Best for: tightness, dullness, dehydration lines, redness.
Recovery Night Cream
This ultra-nourishing cream delivers a potent dose of walnut seed extract, pomegranate, and peach kernel oil to mimic and reinforce your skin’s natural lipid barrier while the peptide complexes speed up your natural rejuvenation processes in the skin.
→ Best for: flakiness, rough texture, lines and wrinkles and long-lasting comfort.
Energising Day Cream
A skin saviour for both dry and dehydrated skin, this cream offers intensive comfort and repair using apple pectins, vitamin E, and calming botanicals. It locks in moisture and soothes signs of irritation.
→ Best for: stressed, dehydrated or over-exfoliated skin.
Nourishing Balm Cleanser
A nourishing, gentle cleanser for both dry and dehydrated skin, this balm offers intensive comfort and repair using Salicylic Acid, Coconut oil, and antioxidants. It locks in moisture, soothes signs of irritation and gently exfoliates.
→ Best for: stressed, dull, and dehydrated skin
Glow Vitamin C Serum
Perfect for all skin types in need of protection against free radicals. The powerful blend of Vitamin C and other antioxidants will neutralise the harmful effects of environmental damage, preventing premature ageing and dehydration.
→ Best for: prevention of dryness, dehydration, and signs of environmentally damaged skin.
Regeneration Serum
Perfect for when you are in need of improved cell to cell communication and improved cell turnover. The combination of peptides and antioxidants will ensure a skin with improved cell longevity to prevent the early signs of ageing, dehydration and dull skin.
→ Best for: roughened skin texture, dullness and fine lines & wrinkles
Whether you’re dealing with temporary dehydration or managing a naturally dry skin type, we are here to support you with smart, effective, multi-functional formulations. Our products don’t just hydrate or nourish — they’re designed to treat, repair, and restore from the inside out.
