Here is an interesting tidbit of information when it comes to skincare - did you know that 'dry' and 'dehydrated' skin are not exactly the same?

According to the skincare people at Bioderma, here is how you can tell the difference.

When skin is dry, water loss from skin is generally from the deeper layers. This is when skin lacks lipids, or fats. Dryness is an internal problem - when skin does not producs enough lipids, or if there is a shortage of water intake.

When skin is dehydrated, its top surface layer is weak, and this causes more surface water loss. Dehydration is more commonly caused by environmental factors such as the weather.

While drinking sufficient fluids to replenish what may be lost through exposure to air-conditioning and cutting down on unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking is vital, investing in a skincare line that tops up skin's moisture levels that will also reach skin's deeper layers is just as important.

Here is where Bioderma's Hydrobio range comes in.

Boasting a specific apple seed extract, Pylus Malus, that stimulates skin's natural production of 'water channels', called aquaporins, in our skin cells, these help to move and control the circulation of water from cell to cell throughout the skin.

Another ingredient, Vitamin B3, also known as Vitamin PP, stimulates production of ceramides that act as a cement to lock in water within skin's layers.

But skin also needs to be resilient too, to withstand harsh external factors as it is constantly exposed to UV rays, and temperature changes - environmental factors that we all face.

The Hydrabio range also contains a combination of ingredients like saccharides, sugar and golden seaweed extracts to strengthen skin while boosting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and moisturising properties.

The Hydrabio range, priced from $29.90 (250ml) for a water-based, no-rinse cleanser and makeup remover to $45.90 (40ml) for its star product, the Hydrabio serum.

Having tried the toner ($36.50 for 250ml), gentle moisturising scrub ($29.90 for 75ml), serum and light cream ($39.90 for 40ml), I like that it delivers on the hydration promise.

The gentle scrub, with its scrub beads, did a good job of stripping the day's worth of gunk from my face, while leaving a lightly moisturising layer. What was more note-worthy is that my face did not break out in protest after a few days of testing the scrub, as my combination complexion is prone to do when it doesn't agree with a formulation.

I also like the serum and mosturiser for both their light, yet hydrating textures. My skin suffered less from dryness even though I have been sitting in air-conditioned comfort continuously at work -- none of that 'tightness', if you like.

However, I did notice that using both of it together during the day did result in my complexion feeling a tad more oilier than I would have liked. I had to dab the sheen off my face by the time lunch was over.

But whether the range will help to lighten my by-now visible laugh-lines, that still remains to be seen, as it has only been a week since I tried them out.

Bioderma's Hydrabio range is available major Guardian outlets, Liang Court, Meidi Ya Shaw House, Isetan Supermarket and Takashimaya Department Store.