A couple of weeks ago we spoke the experts at La Roche Posay and got the skinny on the difference between dry and dehydrated skin, and the heads up on how to tackle it. First up, it's important to note that dehydrated skin is not a skin type. In fact, all skin types can be dehydrated, even oily skin, in the same way that all skin types can be dull or reactive. 

Unlike your skin type, skin conditions can vary. Environmental factors like air-conditioning, hard water, harsh chemicals coming in contact with skin, and weather all have a role to play in how your skin looks and feels. Nowadays, many of us suffer from dehydrated skin. If you're noticing a tightness or loss of elasticity in your skin, there's every chance you're deydrated too. You may also notice visible dehydration lines. Dehydration lines are fine lines and wrinkles that appear on the forehead, around the eyes, on the cheekbones and near the mouth, and these can affect anyone regardless of gender, age or skin type.

So how do you tell the difference between dry and dehydrated? While it's true that some symptoms of dry and dehydrated skin are identical, (such as tightness, discomfort and the need to apply cream), their intensity/recurrence varies. While dehydrated skin means a significant lack of water, dry skin signifies a significant lack of both water and lipids.

La Roche Posay is one of the most respected names in skincare, and their HYDRAPHASE range is specially formulated to treat dehydrated skin. Two weeks ago, I visited a Derma Skincare advisor, the wonderful Amanda in Hickey's pharmacy on Henry Street in Dublin city centre. Amanda mapped my skin, using a high-tech Dermo Analyser system. Data gleaned from the pictures was used to measure my levels of dehydration. I was embarrassed, but not surprised, to find that my skin was very dehydrated, with my skin hydration at only 41.8%. 

As I confessed at the outset, It was not entirely unexpected as I don't drink half enough water, or get the water I should through my food intake. I work long days in an air-conditioned environment, and I live in the inner city, and my skincare regime is... sporadical! But ‘very’ dehydrated was a wake up call, so I was all set to spend two weeks trialling the HYDRAPHASE range.

For a fortnight, I used the brand's Physiological Cleansing Milk, Hydraphase Intense Riche, Hydraphase Intense Serum and Hydraphase Intense Eyes morning and night, and the Hydraphase Intense Masque once every 3/4 days, (all products pictured above). 

I found the products an absolute treat to use. Light, with no heavy fragrances and a fresh feeling, they glided on my skin and left me feeling like my complexion was dewy and glowing. I instantly found that my make-up went on smoother and lasted longer, without flaking or drying, and within just a few days I could see a visible difference when I looked in the mirror.

But deep down, was there any real changes to note?

Two weeks after my first visit to Amanda, I headed back in for another visit and a second skin mapping. With no other changes to my routine, diet etc, on my second visit my levels had gone from my original 41.8% up to 60.3%. I could see the difference and feel the difference, but it was fascinating to see it in percentages, right in front of me. 

The trial period may have been done and dusted, but I wasn't giving up on the products. Amanda's stellar advice helped me to plan a routine whereby I would use the Hydraphase range whenever my skin needed it, or to return it to optimum hydration levels, along with complementary products from the La Roche Posay range where needed. 

If you think you might be suffering from similarly dehydrated skin, you can act by visiting a La Roche Posay expert and having a free consultation, where your skin will be mapped and the perfect products for you will be reccommended.