Are you dealing with dry, dull skin? You might need some fresh hydration. Hydrated skin is key to looking healthy and beautiful.
Achieving hydrated skin takes a bit more effort than just applying your nightly moisturizer. In fact, proper skin hydration usually begins on the inside.
Getting beautiful, nourished skin doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these helpful and easy tips to learn how to keep your skin hydrated.
Why Is Hydrated Skin Important?
Hydrating your skin means increasing the amount of water content within it. Just like the rest of our bodies, our skin occasionally gets thirsty, as well.
This helps skin achieve a smooth, even tone and a radiant glow. Without proper hydration, skin can appear dull and flaky. However, there is a difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin.
But how can you tell the difference between the two? Let’s break it down:
Dry vs. Dehydrated: How to Manage Each
When it comes to dehydration, there is a lack of water in the skin. This means your skin is less able to produce sebum, an oil that is key for giving skin its radiant glow. Dehydrated skin is usually easy to solve with the proper steps.
Dry skin, however, is a lack of moisture on the skin’s surface. This is most often caused by medications or certain diseases and can require medical intervention.
You can differentiate between the two by knowing the symptoms of each. These include:
Dry Skin Symptoms
- Itchy skin
- Redness
- Irritation of the skin
- Flaky skin
Dehydrated Skin Symptoms
- Dull appearance
- Dark circles or shadows around the eyes
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Irritation of the skin
- Puffy eyes
- Dry mouth
- Cracked lips
Dehydrated skin is usually easily fixed. All it takes is a few quick steps and a little self-care.
Hot Tips for How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Hydration and moisturization often go hand-in-hand. By both increasing the water in your skin and locking it in the deepest layers of the skin, you can achieve a youthful, radiant glow.
Moisturizing skin usually requires adding extra ingredients that help to nourish each layer of the skin. This helps repair the barrier of the skin so that any hydration is retained.
Retaining hydration helps to keep skin feeling plump in the long term. By following these helpful skincare tips, you can achieve perfect skin.
1. Drink More Water
Perfectly hydrated skin requires a perfectly hydrated body. When the rest of your body is thirsty, it’s a good bet that your skin will be, too.
In general, you should drink about 8 cups of water, or 2-3 liters, a day. Depending on your activity level, weight, and environment, you may require even more water than that. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help nourish hydrated skin.
2. Eat Water-Rich Foods
Drinking plenty of water is important, but so is eating plenty of water. Water-rich foods such as cucumbers, oranges, and other fruits and vegetables can help skin achieve a healthy glow.
Juicy fruits that are rich in vitamin C, like oranges and other citrus fruits, are key to maintaining smooth skin. Other vitamin-rich foods, especially those with high vitamin A and B contents, are also vital for your overall skin health.
3. No Long, Hot Showers
While a long, hot shower can feel good after a long day, it’s best to limit the number that you take. In fact, over-bathing can strip your skin of essential oils that are necessary for a healthy, hydrated glow.
It’s also recommended that showers be taken at a lukewarm temperature. This stops your skin from drying out and helps to nourish the skin barrier. Try to keep showers short, sweet, and relatively cool.
4. Invest in a Humidifier
Humidifiers can be essential when your environment is extremely dry. When your environment is too dry, it’s a good bet that your skin will be, too.
A humidifier is a simple, cheap device that can help control the moisture content in the air around you. They are especially vital in the cold, dry winter months when your skin will likely need the extra moisture.
5. Always Wear Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreens of at least 30 SPF should always be applied any time you venture outdoors. Even if the sun doesn’t appear too bright, sunscreen is essential for preventing UVA and UVB skin damage.
Sun exposure also dries out the skin, leeching moisture from its surface. Going into the sun without the proper protection will break down the collagen and elastin which give skin its plump appearance. This can make you age prematurely while giving you the dull, dark appearance of dehydration.
6. Choose the Right Beauty Treatments
Not all skincare products are built the same. If you’re dealing with dehydration, look for water-based creams that can penetrate the skin’s surface and deliver nourishing ingredients.
When developing your list of beauty treatments, some ingredients you should look out for include:
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid has water-binding properties that can improve skin elasticity while retaining important moisture. It also can prevent signs of premature aging thanks to its replenishing properties.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a popular ingredient that helps to relieve dry, itchy skin. It works by attracting moisture from the environment and locking it into the surface of the skin, leaving you with perfectly hydrated skin.
Urea
If you’re dealing with rough, itchy skin look for products containing urea. This popular ingredient helps to break down hardened proteins that clog the skin’s surface.
Ceramides
Ceramides work to repair your skin’s barrier, which helps keep moisture locked in. These are great for maintaining a hydrated appearance.
Panthenol
Another barrier-repairing ingredient, panthenol helps your skin retain moisture. It also penetrates the barrier to deliver moisture directly to the cells.
Keep Your Skin Fresh and Hydrated
Now that you know a few basic steps for how to keep your skin hydrated, you’re ready to achieve the radiant, smooth skin you’ve always dreamed of. You can keep your skin looking young, fresh, and beautifully hydrated by following these simple steps.
To find more skincare tips, check out the rest of our Beauty section. Achieving perfect skin has never been easier!
XO Frieda
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