Dehydrated vs. Dry: The Expert Guide to the "Liquid Moisturiser"

QUICK SUMMARY: THE "NEED TO KNOW"

• The Confusion: "Dry" and "Dehydrated" are not the same thing. Dry skin lacks oil; Dehydrated skin lacks water.

• The Problem: Most people have both. Furthermore, layers of dead skin cells often block your moisturiser from working.

• The Solution: The new Dermalogica Phyto Nature E2 acts as a "Liquid Moisturiser."

• The Tech: It uses Acetyl Glucosamine to stimulate internal hydration and Turmeric Exosomes to repair the lipid barrier.

One of the most common battles I see in the treatment room is the battle for hydration.

Clients sit in my chair and say, "Sarah, my skin feels tight and looks crepey, but I am drinking liters of water and using the thickest cream I can find. Why am I still dry?"

The answer usually lies in a simple misunderstanding: the difference between being Dry and being Dehydrated. And often, the products you are using are treating one but ignoring the other.

With the launch of the new Dermalogica Phyto Nature E2, we finally have a product that bridges the gap. It introduces a new category the "Liquid Moisturiser" that biohacks your skin’s ability to hold moisture from the inside out.

Before we can fix the skin, we have to diagnose it. While they feel similar (tight, uncomfortable), biologically they are very different.

1. Dry Skin

This is a skin type. You are likely born with it. Your skin produces less sebum (natural oil) than normal.

• Signs: Rough texture, flaking, scaling, almost no visible pores.

• What it needs: Lipids (oils) to seal the surface.

2. Dehydrated Skin

This is a skin condition. It can happen to anyone, even oily skin types. It is caused by environment, caffeine, UV exposure, or aggressive cleansing.

• Signs: Tightness (like your face is a size too small), crepey fine lines that disappear when moisturized, dullness.

• What it needs: Water and Humectants (like Hyaluronic Acid).

The Reality: Most of us are actually both. We have "Lipid Dryness" from aging and "Water Dehydration" from lifestyle.

Here is the uncomfortable truth: You might be buying expensive serums and creams, but if your skin is dehydrated, they might not be penetrating.

When skin is dehydrated, cell turnover slows down. Dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, creating a "crust" or shield. When you apply your expensive moisturiser on top of this shield, it simply sits on the surface and evaporates. It never reaches the deeper layers where it is needed.

This is why simply "adding a heavier cream" often leads to congestion rather than hydration. You need to clear the path first.

This is why I am so excited about Dermalogica Phyto Nature E2. It is not a toner, and it is strictly more than a serum. It is a Liquid Moisturiser that performs three critical functions to fix both dryness and dehydration simultaneously.

1. It Removes the Shield 

First, it clears the blockage. The Pumpkin Enzyme Ferment in the formula gently digests the dry, dead protein sitting on your skin surface.

• Why this matters: By removing the dead layer without stripping the barrier, it instantly allows moisture to sink in rather than sitting on top.

2. It Biohacks Hydration

This is the true "biohack." Instead of just putting water on your skin, Phyto Nature E2 uses Bio Fermented Acetyl Glucosamine.

• The Science: This ingredient is a building block precursor to Hyaluronic Acid. When applied, it signals your skin to synthesize its own natural Hyaluronic Acid from within³. It is teaching your skin to rehydrate itself.

3. It Seals the Cracks

Finally, it addresses the oil dryness. The Turmeric Exosomes deliver a cargo of essential lipids to the skin barrier. This repairs the "mortar" between your skin cells, preventing the water from evaporating throughout the day.

To get the maximum result, I recommend a technique I call the Moisture Sandwich.

1. Drench: Apply Dermalogica Phyto Nature E2 to clean skin. Do not wait for it to dry completely.

2. Flood: While your skin is still "tacky" with the liquid moisturiser, apply your heavier cream (like Dermalogica Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream).

The Result: The E2 acts as a humectant magnet, pulling the hydration from the cream deeper into the skin than the cream could go alone.

Can I have oily skin and still be dehydrated?

Yes. In fact, it is very common. When oily skin is dehydrated (lacks water), it often panics and produces more oil to compensate. Phyto Nature E2 is perfect for this skin type because it hydrates without weight, helping to balance oil production.

Is Phyto Nature E2 enough on its own?

For very oily skin types, yes—it can function as your sole morning moisturiser. For dry or normal skin, it acts as the "Liquid Moisturiser" prep step that you should layer under a cream or oil.

What is the difference between this and a Hyaluronic Acid serum?

Traditional HA serums put hydration on the skin. Phyto Nature E2 uses Acetyl Glucosamine to help the skin create hydration from within, while also providing enzymatic exfoliation to ensure that hydration actually penetrates.

Ready to quench your skin's thirst?

Shop the new Dermalogica Phyto Nature E2 and experience the Liquid Moisturiser difference.