If you are also constantly bothered about your skin feeling tight and rough, it’s a sign that your skin demands hydration. Although creams, serums, and other skincare products might appear to be working, there is a lot more that needs to be done to ensure that your skin remains young and healthy. But what exactly needs to be done is the most important question here! So let’s dive into this very important discussion and learn to keep our skin healthy, shiny, and hydrated always.
WHAT DOES HYDRATED SKIN ACTUALLY MEAN?
Listening to the word hydration automatically makes you think about water, and that is what skin hydration exactly means. When your skin is hydrated, it means that it has the right water content. Hydrated skin gives you a flawless, smooth, and radiant look, and hence, quenching the thirst of your skin from time to time becomes essential. Reduced water content may make your skin appear dull, dry, and flaky.
CAUSES OF SKIN DEHYDRATION
Before learning how to keep your skin hydrated, it is essential that we understand the exact reasons that may lead to your skin becoming dry and dehydrated. The most common ones include:
- Extreme temperatures
Have you ever experienced visiting a hill station or a desert area and your skin feeling dry? Yes, that is exactly what these extreme temperatures may do to your skin. When your skin gets exposed to extreme hot or cold conditions, there are high chances that it may eventually lead to dryness of your skin.
- Long hours in an air conditioner
Air conditioning reduces the humidity and damages the overall health of your skin. Lack of humidity ultimately leads to damage of the moisture barrier, making your skin appear dehydrated. You should always avoid soaps or other alkaline substances with a higher pH to preserve the natural hydration of your skin.
- Over-exfoliation
Anytime you tend to over-exfoliate your skin, you are indirectly removing the natural moisture barrier and exposing it to dryness. The condition can worsen if you use abrasives or any harsh chemicals to exfoliate your skin.
- Beauty products with harmful chemicals
Harmful chemicals in your beauty products may cause damage to your skin and reduce its ability to retain moisture. Therefore it is mandatory to check the ingredients of any beauty product before deciding to purchase it and adding it as a part of your beauty routine.
SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATED SKIN
How do you know when your skin is dehydrated? Look for the following signs:
– Dull-looking skin
– Dark circles around your eyes
– Wrinkles/fine lines all over your face
– Itching
– Puffed-up eyes
– Sensitive skin
STEPS TO KEEP YOUR SKIN HYDRATED
- Drink ample amount of water
Drinking lots and lots of water is the key to unlocking properly hydrated skin. Doctors recommend you to consume at least 8 glasses of water each day.
2. Opt for skincare products that offer hydration
You are advised to use water-based creams if you constantly complain about dehydrated skin. Products that penetrate your skin and release water, making it look young and hydrated, are essential. Look for the following ingredients when opting for your skincare products:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Urea
- Glycerine
- Ceramides
- Panthenol
3. Use face masks/sheets
Face masks and sheets are an excellent way to ensure that your skin remains hydrated for a longer duration. These not only hydrate your skin but also make it look more vibrant and glowing.
4. Avoid hot showers for a longer duration
Although you may think that showering for longer durations may expose your body and skin to a lot of water and hence cause hydration, showering for longer durations might work just the opposite for you. This may cause a reduction in the water content and loss of natural oils from your skin. Always select lukewarm water for showering.
5. Using a humidifier If you stay in regions where dry winters constantly bother you, you should plan to get a humidifier that helps you maintain the moisture content of the air around you at the right level.
6. Reduce your daily caffeine intake
As absurd as it may sound, caffeine and alcohol work to reduce the overall moisture content of your skin, leaving it dry. Reducing your caffeine to two cups or less per day is essential if you want young, glowing, and healthy-looking skin.
7. Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin to get rid of all the dry patches and dead cells is essential. You may plan exfoliating once every week. Don’t end up over-exfoliating as it may also be equally harmful to your skin.
8. Moisturize
During summers your body sweats a lot and hence hydrating your body becomes essential. You may opt for good creams and moisturizers and include them as a part of your night skincare routine. You can also use honey and milk to accomplish the task as they act as natural moisturizers.
Who doesn’t love young, smooth, and flawless skin? Everyone dreams of having a beautiful skin texture that shines and is smooth as butter. Now that you know ways to make your skin look young and glowing, what are you waiting for? Follow these simple instructions, and your skin will be forever grateful to you.
