Simple Steps to Hydrate Your Dry Skin
If your skin is dull, dry and flaky, it could be dehydrated. Using moisturisers can be effective, but hydrating your skin from the inside out is just as important. Hydrating and moisturising work best together to keep your skin looking healthy. If you avoid dehydrating the skin, drink enough water, eat water-rich foods, and use moisturisers containing ingredients that lock in moisture, your skin will look hydrated and nourished.
What is hydrated skin?
Hydrated skin is skin that has enough moisture content. It looks smooth and has an even tone, whereas if the skin is dehydrated, it looks dull, dry and flaky. A dry mouth, puffy eyes, and the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles are also symptoms of dehydrated skin.
Drip Hydration, Channel Wellness and Mobile IV Medics offer mobile IV hydration in Inland Empire, CA and many other areas. A certified nurse will administer an IV drip for hydration in the comfort of your home. The drip includes a blend of IV fluids and electrolytes that will leave your skin feeling revitalised and refreshed.
Avoid factors that can dehydrate your skin
- It can be difficult to avoid very hot or cold temperatures entirely, but taking steps to limit your exposure and protect your skin is important. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent damage from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. These rays can cause your skin to lose moisture and break down collagen and elastin. This causes your skin to age prematurely.
- Exfoliating your skin is important to get rid of dead cells, but doing so too harshly can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
- Using skincare products with ingredients that are too harsh for your skin can prevent it from retaining moisture.
- Air conditioning reduces humidity and can dehydrate your skin. Using a humidifier can help increase the moisture content in the air around you.
- Long, hot showers can result in the loss of necessary moisture and oils vital for skin health.
- Both caffeine and alcohol have a diuretic effect that can reduce the water content of your skin. Try to limit your intake.
Drink enough and eat a healthy diet
Drinking enough water is important to hydrate your whole body- experts recommend about eight glasses of water a day. You may need to drink even more depending on your weight and how much you exercise. If you battle to drink enough water, try drinking other liquids such as herbal teas. Drinking green tea can help you to increase your water intake and fight oxidative stress while helping to build collagen.
What you eat can significantly affect how your skin looks and feels. Fruits and vegetables will not only help to keep your skin hydrated due to their moisture content but have many other benefits. Citrus-based fruits such as oranges are full of juice, but they are also rich in vitamin C, which is vital for the health of the skin. Kiwi fruit is also a good source of vitamin C. Avocados are a good source of omega-3, which can prevent dry-looking skin. Sweet potatoes, peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes are also rich in moisture and vitamins that the skin needs.
Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help to keep the skin supple and hydrated. Fatty fish also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radical damage. Fish is also a good source of lean protein, which helps the skin to maintain its integrity and strength.
Use moisturisers to lock in moisture
Hydrating your skin is adding to its water content, while moisturising skin locks in the water content, containing it within the skin barrier. Moisturisers penetrate deep into the skin and contain ingredients promoting the repair of any damage to the skin’s barrier.
You need to choose the right moisturiser for your skin type. Cream-based moisturisers will work well if you have dry skin, whereas a light, lotion-based moisturiser is better for oily skin. There are also facial oils.
Products containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides can help to keep your skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin to retain moisture and can prevent premature ageing. Humectants like glycerin attract moisture from the environment and into the skin. Ceramides help repair the skin barrier so it retains water better.
