If your skin appears dull, feels dry, or tight, it may be a clear indication of dehydration. While applying creams, serums, and other skincare products is essential for maintaining skin health and achieving a radiant glow, it’s equally important to hydrate your skin from the inside out.
A lot of people think that only drinking enough water is helpful for keeping the skin hydrated. However, this is not the case.
Cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides make up the skin’s moisture barrier, which holds moisture in and keeps your skin hydrated and healthy. It can lead to major problems with skin hydration when it is injured or impaired (i.e., your skin can’t retain moisture).
But for those who have these questions regarding how to hydrate your skin, well, we’ll be discussing skin hydration in detail for you. So, let’s dig in.
Table of Contents
What is Hydrated Skin?
When you hear the word “hydration,” it makes sense that you would picture water. It makes sense that increasing your skin’s water content will hydrate it. Your skin may look flaky, lifeless, and dry if it is dehydrated.
Skin that is well-hydrated appears supple, luminous, and tone-neutral. You must occasionally quench your skin’s thirst if you want to accomplish this.
People frequently mistake dry skin for dehydrated skin, though. Despite being used interchangeably, there is a fundamental distinction between the two.
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin
A lot of times people do think of a question that is hydration and moisturization are the same. The answer is no. They are completely different. To understand that you need to know the difference between dehydrated and dry skin.
Well, dehydrated skin is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of water in the skin. This can happen to anyone regardless of the sin type. On the other hand, dry skin is a skin type that a lot of people possess, where their skin is naturally dry and needs more moisturization and hydration.
Pinch Test for Hydration
A great to tell if your skin is dehydrated is by using a pinch test. Now, to say that this test is the best way to test hydration is not true. But, it s obviously a great way to think about your skin.
To perform that,
- Pinch a small amount of skin on your chest, abdomen, cheek, or the back of your hand
- If you see your ski snapping back, you are not dehydrated
- If you see the skin taking a moment to bounce back, you are highly likely to be dehydrated
- Repeat in other areas if you would like to
What Causes Dehydrated Skin?
Dehydrated skin can be due to:
Over Exfoliation
Exfoliating the skin more than it is needed can damage your skin’s natural barrier. This can be very damaging if you use harsh and exfoliating products.
Extreme Weathers
Extreme or cold or hot weather can damage the natural barrier of the skin. While it is difficult to avoid extreme temperatures, make sure that you limit the exposure to a minimum.
Aggressive Cleansers
Skincare products with harmful ingredients can damage the ability of teh skin to retain the moisture taht is needed.
How to Hydrate Your Skin at Home?
There are some of the steps that you need to follow in order to keep your skin hydrated. These include:
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Moisturising your body is the first step to moisturising your skin. It is advised that you consume at least 8 glasses of water every day.
Depending on your weight and daily activity, your body might need more.
2. Use Hydrating Skin Products
Water-based creams are highly recommended for individuals with dehydrated skin. These products are specially formulated to penetrate the skin and deliver much-needed hydration.
By providing water directly to the skin cells, water-based creams can help replenish moisture and alleviate symptoms of dehydration.
According to Dr. Samina who is one of the best aesthetic physicians and dermatologists in Pakistan, products full of hydrating agents like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or glycerin can be great for dehydrated skin.
So, while searching for hydrating products, look for.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid plays a very important role in hydrating your skin and maintaining its elasticity. Hyaluronic acid is water binding and can prevent the signs of early aging.
Suggested Read: Rice Water for Skin
Ceramides
Skin replenishing elements serve a crucial part in constructing and mending your skin’s barrier, similar to how cement maintains a building’s bricks. This barrier is in charge of halting water evaporation and preserving moisture, thus supporting a hydrated and healthy complexion.
Ceramides are one of the newfound elements that help immensely with keeping the moisture barrier of the skin healthy. Make use of them when needed as these can help a lot with keeping the skin hydrated.
Suggested Read: Why You Should Focus on Your Skin Barrier?
Glycerin
Glycerin, a widely used component in the cosmetic industry, provides moisturizing qualities that can help your skin stop feeling dry and irritating. All of these qualities can be seen because glycerin is a humectant.
Therefore, it functions by drawing moisture from the environment to the skin’s surface.
Avoid Taking Hot Showers
Experts at Ali Medical Centre say that as weird as it may sound, taking long baths can impact your skin’s barrier. Excessive water exposure dehydrates skin by stripping away moisture and essential oils. Optimal bathing involves using lukewarm water to prevent excessive drying and maintain the skin’s natural hydration.
Eat Foods Rich in Water
Fruits and vegetables offer many advantages for your skin in addition to just hydrating you. Oranges and lemons are examples of citrus fruits that are both moisturizing and high in vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin texture.
Vitamin C aids in minimizing skin pigmentation encourages the formation of collagen, and guards against free radicals.
Additionally, vitamin A and B3-rich foods are essential for enhancing skin health in general. Vitamin B3 improves skin hydration and soothes inflammation, while Vitamin A aids in cell turnover and encourages a smoother complexion.
You can eat these nutrient-dense foods to nourish your skin from the inside out and boost its health and shine.
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
Your body tends to lose a lot of moisture during the summer, so it’s crucial to hydrate from the inside out.
Along with consuming meals that are high in water and drinking enough water, you should regularly cleanse, tone, and moisturize before bed.
You can include honey and milk in your skincare routine because they are excellent natural moisturizers.
Reduce Caffeine Intake
Both caffeine and drinking may cause your skin to become tight and dehydrated by lowering its water content. It is advised to moderate your intake of caffeine and alcohol in order to lessen these effects.
To reduce their impact on your skin’s moisture levels, limit your daily intake of coffee. Moderation is key to preserving your skin’s moisture balance and avoiding extreme dehydration.
Suggested Read: Caffeine Withdrawal Headache.
When to Visit a Dermatologist
In most cases, dehydrated skin is not considered as a serious skin problem. Serums, creams, and lotions that are hydrating can help you get better-looking skin. But if you try to stay hydrated and your skin’s overall health doesn’t improve, or if you have any of these symptoms, you can see the best dermatologist near you by contacting Healthwire.
