Let’s be honest; no one wants dull and flaky skin. Given a choice, everyone strives for that glowing glass-skin complexion that is often promoted in the media these days. Though the occasional acne breakout is unavoidable for some of us, there are ways to ensure that your skin is given the best care possible.
One of the most crucial aspects of maintaining good skin condition is hydration. Skin hydration is a key factor if you are aiming for that soft luminous skin. Obviously, skincare is an important part of your beauty regime. However, it is also significant to note that hydrating your skin from the inside out is critical as well. Hence, this article is going to list out the ways to ensure that your skin is healthy and hydrated from the inside out.
Dehydrated Skin vs Dry Skin
There is a lot of confusion between these terms; – ‘Dehydrated Skin’ and ‘Dry Skin’. Often, these two concepts are used interchangeably, which causes a lot of misconceptions in the skincare community.
There is a difference in what causes dehydrated skin and dry skin. Dehydrated skin results from a lack of water in the skin, while the lack of sebum causes dry skin. Additionally, dry skin can also be an effect of a certain medication that someone is taking or a certain disease that an individual is diagnosed with.
Furthermore, it is also important to note that certain factors like age, climate, lifestyle and the type of products you use also contribute to your skin condition. One of the most common cases is the change of weather from summer to winter. Your skin can get extremely dry and dehydrated during the winter because the cold environment pulls out the moisture from your skin.
Signs of Dry Skin
There are certain symptoms that start to appear as a sign of dry skin. A few of them are itchiness, redness, flaky skin and skin irritation.
Signs of Dehydrated Skin
The indication of dehydrated skin differs from dry skin. The manifestation of dehydrated skin consists of dull/dark-looking skin, noticeable dark circles and shadows around the eyes, itchiness, the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, dry mouth, puffy eyes, and increased skin sensitivity.
7 Ways to Hydrate Your Skin
-
Consume an Adequate Amount of Water
The first and most critical step in maintaining hydrated skin is drinking enough water. Your body requires at least a minimum of eight glasses of mineral water per day. However, this amount could change depending on your body weight and the type of activity that you go through that day.
-
Apply Hydrating Skincare Products
While drinking water is a method that ensures you are hydrated from the inside, using skincare products will further prevent the possibility of your skin becoming dehydrated. Look for water-based creams that will penetrate your skin and deliver the hydration needed.
Some of the star ingredients recommended by dermatologists when purchasing a skincare product are glycerine, hyaluronic acid, urea, ceramides, panthenol and ammonium lactate. These hydrating agents are your major saviours for preserving your skin’s hydration.
-
Moisturise Your Skin
Summer and winter are the harshest seasons for your skin because your body tends to lose a lot of moisture during this time. Hence, why hydrating yourself from the inside out is important. Other than consuming water-rich foods and drinking adequate water, do not forget to cleanse, tone and moisturise sufficiently every night before you go to sleep. We suggest you check out Aiken moisturiser as this brand provides a wide range of skincare products that cater to every skin type.
-
Avoid Long Hot Showers
As scandalous and contradictory as it sounds, bathing for a long time, especially under hot showers, is bad for your skin. Hot showers negatively affect your skin’s barrier by reducing the moisture content and eradicating the necessary oils that your skin requires. This, in turn, results in dehydrated skin. Hence, we suggest you either practice taking cold showers or bathe using lukewarm water, which is the ideal option.
-
Treat Your Skin with Facemasks
Face masks or sheet masks are packed with hydrating ingredients. You can easily purchase them from the nearest drugstore or even make yourself one. To make a hydrating face mask at home, mix one egg yolk, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of olive oil with half a cup of oatmeal. Apply it to your face and leave it for 12 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, rinse with cold water and moisturise. Implementing face masks in your beauty will help nourish your skin and preserve its hydration level.
-
Eating Meals Rich in Water
Consuming fruits and vegetables are not only healthy for your body but also very hydrating for your skin. For example, citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are rich in vitamin C, which helps the overall complexion of your skin. Meanwhile, foods packed in vitamin A and B3 are also beneficial in improving your skin’s health.
-
Sunscreen is Compulsory
Sunscreen is the most crucial step in taking care of your skin, as sun exposure leads to dehydrated skin and uneven complexion. Thus, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent UVA and UVB skin damage every time you step out of your house during the day.
On top of that, sun exposure causes your skin to lose its moisture, leading to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the skin’s strength and elasticity. This can result in premature signs of ageing- which we all don’t want, right?
To maintain young and healthy skin, it is important for you to hydrate from the inside out, as hydration and moisturisation are the two fundamental steps in nourishing the skin. Other than drinking enough water, you should follow a proper skincare routine, consume water-rich foods and practice a healthy lifestyle. This will guarantee you healthy, moisturised skin all year round.
