7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Well-hydrated skin is your key to healthy, glowing skin. But before we dive further into the many ways you can hydrate your skin, let’s clear some things up. There is dry skin and then there’s dehydrated skin. These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they’re actually very different from each other.
Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin
Dry skin is a skin type caused by the skin’s lack of oil-production. People with this skin type tend to experience a feeling of tightness, flaking of the skin, and even skin irritation.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition caused by lack of water in your skin. One way to find out if you have dehydrated skin is by doing a “pinch test”. Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek or the back of your hand and hold for just a few seconds. If your skin bounces back immediately, then you’re in the clear. But if it takes a few moments to bounce back, then your skin may be dehydrated.
Other symptoms of dehydrated skin include sunken eyes, dark under-eye circles, and itchiness.
To sum it up, dry skin lacks oil whereas dehydrated skin lacks water.
Why is Skin Hydration Important?
The skin is the largest organ of the body and one of its purposes is to protect the body from external factors such as bacterias and harmful UV radiations. For our skin to be able to protect our body, it must be sufficiently hydrated.
Here are 7 simple ways to keep your skin hydrated:
Minimize Hot Showers/Baths
The word here is “minimize”. Hot showers and baths have their benefits too, but like almost everything else, they can have some negative effects too such as drying out your skin. Hot water can damage the keratinocytes located on the epidermis. This creates dry skin and prevents these cells from retaining moisture.
Use A Humidifier
A humidifier adds humidity to the air which can prevent loss of moisture from your skin. This is especially helpful during the winter when the air is expected to be drier.
Add Hydrating Foods to Your Diet
Nourish your skin from within by adding foods that help your skin lock in moisture. These are foods that have healthy fats (such as avocados, nuts, and fatty fish), proteins (eggs, soy, etc.), and vitamin a & c (citrus fruits, and leafy greens).
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating your skin not only helps unclog pores, it also helps skincare products penetrate your skin deeper, allowing them to work more effectively. Just make sure that you are using exfoliating products that are gentle on the skin and that you’re not doing it frequently (once or twice a week should suffice).
Wear Sunscreen
Sun exposure can be a cause of skin dehydration. When you don’t apply sunscreen, the skin becomes damaged from sun exposure. It’s difficult for a damaged skin barrier to retain moisture so it’s best not to forget to wear your sunscreen.
Use Skincare Products with Hydrating Ingredients
Keep your skin hydrated with hydrating skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that can hold nearly 1,000 times its weight in water. Glycerin is also a humectant that can draw moisture from the air and keep it locked in the skin.
CooLifting Facial Treatment
CooLifting is a rejuvenating treatment that gives your skin full-on hydration and oxygenation. It can be a standalone treatment, but it’s even better when paired with other modalities. Click here to read more about it or book an appointment with Spela now!
