Is there a difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Both dry and dehydrated skin are in need of hydration, but the term “dehydrated” usually suggests more advanced dry skin conditions. In dehydrated skin, “we’re really starting to see discoloration,” notes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hope Mitchell, “We’re starting to see pigmentation changes, where we're going to see more dark patches or red patches. Maybe some swelling of the skin. It looks much more advanced than simply dry skin.”