Do You Have Dry, Dehydrated, or Oily Skin?: Learn Which Might Be Contributing to Seborrheic Dermatitis

Have you tried every type of cleanser and facial product to manage your skin's oiliness, but with little success? 

Here's the tricky part—what you think is oily skin might be dehydrated skin in disguise. And when you're dealing with a skin condition like seborrheic dermatitis, which involves the overproduction of sebum (your skin's natural oil), distinguishing between the two matters.

Many people with seborrheic dermatitis reach for foaming cleansers and mattifying toners to reduce oil production. If their symptoms don't improve or worsen, this could be an indicator that their skin is dehydrated instead of oily.

If this is your experience as well, we're here to help. In this article, we'll explain the differences between dry and dehydrated skin, how each can contribute to seborrheic dermatitis, and how understanding your actual skin type can help you pick products that work to calm your skin and reduce flare-ups.

Table of Contents:

• Is Your Skin Oily, Dry, or Dehydrated?
• How Can You Tell if You Have Dehydrated Skin?
• What's the Big Deal About Differentiating Dehydrated Skin from the Rest?
• Are You Sabotaging Your Skin Without Realizing It?
• Is Dry, Dehydrated, or Oily Skin Linked to Seborrheic Dermatitis?
• How to Rejuvenate Dehydrated Skin Without Feeding the Fungus

Is Your Skin Oily, Dry, or Dehydrated?

Before you can properly care for your skin and reduce symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, you need to understand the true condition of your skin. Many people confuse oily, dry, and dehydrated skin, but each is distinct and requires a unique management approach.

Let's explore the definition of each one.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is a skin type that produces an excessive amount of sebum, which is the natural oil secreted by your sebaceous glands.

This overproduction can cause the skin to appear shiny or greasy, particularly on the forehead, nose, and chin. Other common signs of oily skin include enlarged pores and frequent breakouts.

Oily skin may be genetic, but other factors, such as hormonal fluctuations, certain medical conditions, or specific medications, can also contribute to its development.

Your climate and environment can also influence oil production. For example, your skin may feel oilier if you live in a humid climate or during the warmer spring and summer months [1, 2].

Dry Skin

Dry skin is skin that lacks oils or lipids. If you have dry skin, it may feel tight, rough, or itchy. It can also look flaky or dull.

There are many different causes of dry skin. Some people are born with skin that is more prone to dryness. Meanwhile, other people may experience dry skin due to the use of harsh products or chemicals, exposure to heat, certain medical conditions, or the natural aging process.

Dehydrated Skin

While "dry skin" and "dehydrated skin" are often used interchangeably, there are a few key differences between them.

Unlike dry skin, dehydrated skin isn't a skin type but rather a condition of the skin. Additionally, dehydrated skin lacks water, not oil.

As a result, the skin might feel itchy, appear dull and flaky, or exhibit premature signs of aging. For some people, the skin might even look and feel oilier than usual.

Dehydrated skin can appear when your water intake is inadequate, as a natural consequence of aging, or due to exposure to low humidity and cold environments [3].

How Can You Tell if You Have Dehydrated Skin?

It's easy to mistake dehydrated skin for oily skin, especially if your face often feels greasy or looks shiny. However, that extra oil may be your skin's way of compensating for a lack of hydration.

Here are a few signs that you might be dealing with dehydrated skin:

• Skin feels tight or uncomfortable, especially after washing

• You see flaking, dullness, or a rough texture

• Your skin shows subtle signs of aging, such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity

• Skin looks tired or lacks its usual glow

• You experience increased breakouts or oiliness despite using products designed for oily skin

In more severe cases, this dehydration can affect more than just your skin and lead to symptoms throughout your body, such as dizziness, fainting, or overall weakness.

If you'd like, you can also try this quick and easy test to gauge if your skin is dehydrated. Gently pinch a small section of skin on your cheek, the back of your hand, or your abdomen. Hold it for a few seconds, then release it.

• If your skin quickly returns to its normal position, your hydration levels are likely fine.

• If the skin is slow to return to its original state, this may be a sign that your skin is dehydrated.

You can try this test on different areas to get a better sense of your skin's condition. This test isn't 100% accurate. However, it is a quick and inexpensive method for testing whether your skin is dehydrated.

What's the Big Deal About Differentiating Dehydrated Skin from the Rest?

Knowing whether your skin is dry, oily, or dehydrated is more important than it might seem.

If you incorrectly identify your skin's condition or type, you may use products with unhelpful ingredients that are less suitable for your skin, which wouldn't help much or could even worsen it.

Dehydrated skin, in particular, is often confused with both dry skin and oily skin, and each requires a slightly different approach.

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

Although dry and dehydrated skin can feel similar—tight, rough, or flaky—they have different underlying causes as follows:

• Dry skin occurs when the skin doesn't produce enough sebum (oil), leading to a lack of lipids essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

• Dehydrated skin happens when your skin lacks water, not oil. This can happen to anyone, regardless of whether they have oily, dry, or combination skin.

Dry skin tends to have a more flaky and scaly appearance due to a lack of oils, while dehydrated skin usually looks duller with signs of premature aging.

Because both skin types can feel dry and uncomfortable, certain products, such as gentle moisturizers and barrier-repairing creams, can benefit both.

However, dry skin typically needs products that are richer in oil. This can include thicker creams and emollients containing ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter, or petroleum jelly. In contrast, dehydrated skin benefits more from hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which can help the skin retain water.

Oily vs. Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin can appear and feel oily because it may produce extra sebum in response to water loss.

If your skin's surface is oily but still feels tight, dull, or flaky, it's likely dehydrated. If so, adding oil-stripping products to your skincare routine can worsen skin dehydration, prompting your skin to produce even more oil to compensate for the lack of water.

This is why it's essential to differentiate between oily and dehydrated skin. By avoiding harsh and overly drying products, your skin can better regulate sebum production.

Are You Sabotaging Your Skin Without Realizing It?

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, the products you use or the routines you follow can end up doing more harm than good.

Understanding your skin's real needs is the first step toward breaking this cycle.

Common Causes of Dehydrated Skin

Let's explore some common skincare habits that might contribute to dehydrated skin:

• Over-cleansing or harsh products: Washing your face or skin too frequently or using products that are too harsh can strip away natural oils and harm the skin's protective barrier.

• Skipping moisturizer: If you think skipping moisturizer will reduce oil, think again. Without proper hydration, the skin can become drier, and this can lead to increased sebum production.

• Poor hydration (inside and out): Skipping hydrating products or not drinking enough water can cause your skin to dry out. Remember, the skin needs both topical moisture and internal hydration to stay in its healthiest state.

The moisture and oil (sebum) levels of your skin play a crucial role in maintaining your skin's microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that naturally reside on your skin [4, 5]. When this balance is disrupted, it can weaken your skin's protective barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation or dryness.

Is Dry, Dehydrated, or Oily Skin Linked to Seborrheic Dermatitis?

The short answer is yes. Seborrheic dermatitis can affect all skin types. That said, the condition of your skin can influence how often flare-ups happen and how severe they are.

So, how exactly are your skin type and sebum production connected to seborrheic dermatitis?

This condition is closely associated with a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia, which naturally inhabits the skin. In most cases, it doesn't cause any issues. However, when an overgrowth of Malassezia occurs, it can trigger the typical symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, which include itchy, red patches and greasy, flaky skin [6].

Since Malassezia feeds on the natural oils (sebum) your skin produces, areas rich in sebaceous glands, like the scalp, face, and chest, are often the most affected. Naturally oily skin, which produces more sebum, may also be more prone to this condition.

At the same time, dehydrated skin, which lacks water, can lead to your skin overproducing sebum in an attempt to restore balance. Unfortunately, this excess oil can also encourage the overgrowth of Malassezia and contribute to the occurrence of flare-ups.

How to Rejuvenate Dehydrated Skin Without Feeding the Fungus

If you're dealing with dehydrated skin and seborrheic dermatitis, you're likely looking for effective ways to restore your skin's hydration and balance. However, the solution isn't as simple as slathering on any hydrating product.

Many rich creams and oils can exacerbate the condition by feeding the Malassezia yeast, and this can worsen symptoms or contribute to flare-ups. The key is finding ingredients that hydrate and repair your skin's natural moisture barrier without fueling the growth of the fungus.

Hydrating Malassezia-Safe Ingredients

Some examples of hydrating ingredients that are Malassezia-safe include:

• MCT Oil: Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is derived from coconut or palm oil. It is composed of medium-chain triglycerides and doesn't feed Malassezia, making it a suitable lightweight moisturizing ingredient for individuals with skin prone to seborrheic dermatitis.

• Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide helps reduce dryness, redness, and irritation of the skin. It's a gentle, soothing ingredient suitable for all skin types.

• Hyaluronic Acid: This powerful humectant helps your skin retain moisture, keeping it hydrated and plump without adding oil.

• Glycerin: Glycerin draws moisture from the environment into the skin, helping to improve hydration and support a healthy skin barrier.

• Aloe Vera: Well-known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera hydrates the skin, calms irritation, and promotes healing, all without contributing to fungal overgrowth.

Lifestyle Tips for Skin Hydration

Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to keep your skin hydrated without triggering flare-ups:

• Avoid heavy, oil-based moisturizers that can feed the Malassezia fungus.

• Avoid common oils like coconut oil or olive oil, as they can feed Malassezia.

• Stay hydrated from the inside out by drinking enough water daily.

• Opt for gentle, non-stripping cleansers to avoid damaging your skin barrier.

• Incorporate hydrating products formulated with Malassezia-safe ingredients into your skincare routine.

Our Product Line is Designed for Dehydrated, Flaky, or Irritated Skin

At Dermazen, our goal is simple—to help you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. We're here to support you on your journey to calmer, healthier skin with solutions that truly care for your skin's needs.

These are some of our products, designed to hydrate, soothe, and support skin health without feeding the Malassezia fungus:

• Calming Seborrheic Serum: This all-in-one serum tackles flakes, redness, itch, and irritation while nourishing the skin and clearing the Malassezia fungus.

• Soothing Malassezia Moisturizer: This lightweight, highly moisturizing product helps calm and hydrate the skin with ingredients such as aloe vera and niacinamide.

• Daily Purifying Facial Cleanser: This gentle cleanser is formulated to help remove impurities and exfoliate the skin without disrupting the skin barrier. It also hydrates and nourishes the skin with ingredients that are safe for Malassezia-prone skin.

Whether you have dry, dehydrated, or oily skin, using the right skincare products can make a big difference. By combining Malassezia-safe products with simple lifestyle adjustments, you’ll give your skin the best chance to heal and rejuvenate.