It is very important to hydrate your skin now and then for so many reasons beyond looking healthy and well-rested.
Our skin becomes dehydrated in any way in which water is drawn out of it – hot showers, eating salty food, drinking cocktails and much more.
How to tell if your skin is dehydrated or dry
To know more about this one must know the difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin.
If you think they’re the same thing then you’re mistaken, although they may appear to be the same in the beginning.
Dehydrated skin might not certainly be chipped or rough, but rather, could be showing a loss of resiliency. However, either you can have dehydrated skin or dry skin since the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
Dry skin lacks oil which leads to loss of more water which can then cause the skin to dehydrate.
How to hydrate your skin
Nix hot showers and baths
Avoid taking hot showers and baths as it would help repress dehydrated skin. It encourages water to flow out of your skin, therefore leaving it dehydrated.
So, do showers that are short with lukewarm water to ensure it stays within the skin.
Invest in a humidifier
Keep a humidifier in the room where you spent most of your time. It increases the humidity in the air, so less moisture will be lost from your skin.
This will be a very investment, especially during the winter season when the air tends to get super-dry.
Steer clear of harsh cleansers
Do not use harsh cleansing agents as it strips the skin of natural moisturizing factors and oils.
This would allow micro-cuts or cracks to take place in the top layer of the skin causing drying, cracking, redness.
Use gentle cleaners that do not contain chemical exfoliants, such as alpha-hydroxy, salicylic, or glycolic acid.
Avoid over-cleansing
Don’t over-cleanse your skin, because if you do then you are repeatedly uncovering it of both its natural microbiome and moisturizing barrier agents.
However, if you have to cleanse more than twice a day then you should apply a light moisturizer to hydrate the skin.
Always wear sunscreen
The harmful UV radiations can damage the skin barrier and cause irritation. Therefore, applying broad-spectrum daily will help you lock in moisture and hydrate the skin.
Exfoliate weekly
Exfoliating once or twice a week would help to ensure the moisturizer get absorbs nicely into the skin.
More frequent exfoliating can ruin the skin barrier and lead to irritation and redness.
Sheet mask to hydrate
Add a hydrating sheet mask to your skincare routine. This will increase water content in a concentrated manner.
Use sheet masks that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, green tea, vitamins A, E, and C, and oat extract.
