Guide to Hydrated Skin
No matter how old you are, your skin can become dehydrated. This organ needs care in order to function properly. Hydrated skin isn’t just a matter of good looks, but health as well, which is why a sufficient amount of water is needed on a daily basis.
The skin protects us from UV rays and prevents the development of infections, in addition to fulfilling various functions due to its cellular and immune formation. It regulates body temperature and senses pressure and heat. Discover how to keep your skin permanently hydrated.
What are the signs of dehydrated skin?
Dehydrated skin shows obvious signs such as a taut, wrinkled texture and noticeable fine lines on the verge of flaking. Sometimes it may itch or appear dull. This skin condition can be suffered by anyone. Fortunately, it’s easy to treat, so it’s usually temporary.
The pinch test to find out if the skin is dehydrated
- Take skin from your cheek, belly, or chest between your index finger and thumb.
- Press firmly, but not roughly, for a few seconds.
- After the time has elapsed, stop pressing and see if the area returns to its initial position quickly. If so, your skin isn’t dehydrated.
- Conversely, if it takes time for the skin to recover, it may be dehydrated.
- If necessary, perform the test on another area of the body.
However, a dermatologist can best help you determine if your skin is hydrated, dehydrated, or dry. Dry skin is a dermatological type and is characterized by containing less lipids and oils than are necessary to retain water. At the same time, dehydrated skin qualifies as a condition that occurs due to a low water supply.
8 steps to hydrated skin
Your habits will determine the overall appearance of your skin. The daily loss of water that occurs due to physical activities, environmental temperature, urine and other factors must be replaced through the intake of liquids and food. These, in addition to hydration, must provide nutrients.
1. Eat foods with a high water content
Incorporate the intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains into your daily diet. In addition, they’re essential in order to maintain healthy skin. The most prominent are those that are sources of vitamin C, such as oranges, strawberries, and blueberries.
Some nuts, such as walnuts or chia seeds are also recommended. At the same time, avocado is a good source of healthy fats and is very economical. Natural juices, soups, and vegetables are key to maintaining radiant skin.
2. Hydrate your body with quality water
Study the possibility of acquiring a good water filter for your home. With this, you’ll have a source of filtered and, in some cases, purified water. Remember that it’s an investment that will positively impact your health in the short term.
3. Drink a cup of water when you wake up
According to studies, hydrating yourself as soon as you get out of bed will help the proper functioning of your intestine. Experts recommend drinking a cup of water as soon as you get up, before any meal or coffee. To vary your routine, you can alternate it for a few days with warm water and the juice of half a lemon.
4. Put water near your bed
During the night, your body can become dehydrated. Therefore, you can have a water source on hand so that you can take small sips and thus avoid walking to the kitchen or simply ignoring the demands of your body.
5. Get an insulated water bottle
This tool helps you keep your water fresh. They’re usually light and easy to transport. This way, you’ll avoid buying bottled waters that often don’t meet our expectations of taste and quality.
6. Squeeze natural fruits into your water
If you don’t like to drink water and you don’t think it is feasible to drink 8 glasses a day, try adding some flavor through fruits. Squeeze a little orange, lime, lemon, strawberry, or mint and you’ll notice the difference.
A water bottle with an infuser is another good option for flavoring. On the one hand, you have pieces of fruit that will be soaked in the thermos filter. On the other hand, you’ll have delicious water with the aroma and flavor of your favorite fruit.
7. Drink coconut water
According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, coconut water helps keep you hydrated and adds nutrients. Start by drinking a glass a day or use it as a base in different shakes. Coconut water is very easy to find and usually cheap.
8. Accompany your meals with water
Experts recommend drinking water with meals, although it’s often tempting to opt for other beverages. Water reduces the dryness caused by some foods, facilitates digestion, prevents you from overeating, and helps meet daily demands.
Routine for hydrated skin
A proper skincare routine is ideal to keep the dermis strong and hydrated. You must incorporate good quality products, specialized to hydrate and treat any specific condition.
1. Cleanse your skin
Bathing daily turns out to be the most elementary step. Your skin, as an organ that protects against external agents, is exposed to many environmental pollutants and dirt that must be eliminated on a daily basis.
Washing at least once a day will prevent pore clogging, dullness, and acne on the skin. Make sure you wash your face with the right products for it. This will keep you from removing the essential oils needed to retain water.
2. Exfoliate
This step is recommended once or twice a week, otherwise, it can cause a break in the skin. Exfoliating helps remove dead cells, leaving your skin ready to absorb whatever nutrients you apply.
3. Moisturize your skin
After cleaning, the use of certain hydrating tonics or oils is recommended. After getting out of the shower, you should pat dry, leaving a little moisture on the skin.
Then, rub your toner over the body and allow it to dry for a few minutes. Then, apply moisturizing cream.
4. Protect yourself from UV rays
Using sunscreen is the most important step in keeping your skin hydrated. You must apply it throughout the year, even on cloudy days. It helps prevent heat stroke, the appearance of premature wrinkles, and imperfections in the skin texture.
Experts recommend applying it to exposed areas, such as hands, arms, face, and neck. This must be done 30 minutes before sun exposure and you should renew the application after two hours.
5. Use hand cream
The hands tend ‘to dry out more than other parts of the body, due to the use we give them, so it’s important to use a special cream for them. Preferably, they contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives.
6. Get enough sleep
While you sleep, your skin repairs itself and replenishes the moisture lost during the day. According to one study, getting good-quality sleep for 6-7 hours at a time helped to restore the moisture barrier 30% more than in people who slept fewer hours.
7. Change your pillowcases
Replace your pillowcase with a silk one. This change is ideal for preventing further trauma to the face’s moisture barrier–protection you won’t get with a cotton cover.
8. Your face needs special care
You need to give your face the proper treatment it needs, so purchasing specialized products for this area is imperative. In addition, you must take into account the type of skin you have.
To do this, go to a dermatologist, who’ll be able to tell you which products suit you best. However, consider that as a bare minimum, you should have a good facial cleanser, an antioxidant-rich moisturizer, and sunscreen.
9. Pay attention to the time of year
Skin experiences the changes of the seasons throughout the year, so you should rotate some of your skin care products, as what works for you in winter won’t be as effective in summer.
What to remember in order to have hydrated skin?
First of all, you must determine if your skin is dehydrated. You can tell this by signs such as wrinkles and lines, the pinch test, or a dermatologist’s evaluation.
If your skin is in fact dehydrated, consider a series of habits to improve this problem. Start with the general hydration of the body and then try a special dermatological routine.
Although there’s no routine that suits all skin types, the recommendations we’ve included in this article will help you stay hydrated throughout the year. They also allow you to show off smooth and youthful skin.
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- Kalman, D. S., Feldman, S., Krieger, D. R., & Bloomer, R. J. (2012). Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-1
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