The Best Way to Hydrate Skin
Skin hydration is not just about applying a moisturizer. The best way to hydrate your skin is by drinking plenty of water, including coconut water and herbal teas.
It’s important to avoid dehydration, which can be caused by many variables like diet, lifestyle, environment and skincare routine. Pinch your skin – if it bounces back quickly, you’re hydrated.
Drink Plenty of Water
When it comes to skin hydration, drinking plenty of water is one of the most important things you can do. However, drinking more water may not be as effective as many people think.
When your body is not properly hydrated, the outermost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum, becomes dry and tight, making you look dull and aged. The natural barrier in the epidermis is composed of dead skin cells stacked like bricks and oily fats that act as mortar to keep moisture locked inside the cells.
When your body is well hydrated, the outermost layers of your skin become soft, plump and elastic. This makes you appear healthier and more radiant. The good news is that you can hydrate your skin in several ways, including drinking plenty of water, eating foods rich in water-friendly nutrients and using products that lock in moisture. Adding a hydrating serum and shortening your shower time are also beneficial, but the most effective way to hydrate your skin is to drink water regularly throughout the day.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Dehydration is a common skin concern that can cause dryness, itchiness and flakiness. To hydrate skin, experts recommend drinking plenty of water and eating foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals to promote healthy and glowing complexions.
Some of these beneficial foods include avocados, which are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and lycopene, cucumbers, leafy green vegetables and watermelon. These nutritious foods are also rich in antioxidants that can help prevent signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.
Another nutrient-rich food to add to your diet is flaxseeds, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytonutrients. You can eat them whole or mix ground flaxseed into your smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal for a health boost that can promote hydrated skin.
Avoid Hot Water
While a hot shower may be the best way to get you feeling fresh and awake, it can actually damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to dehydration. Try to limit your showers to 10 or less minutes of lukewarm water instead and use gentle cleansers and soaps.
Dry skin can also be caused by excessive exposure to sun, harsh products and the weather. Using a humidifier in the winter and applying a protective sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher will help protect your skin from the elements.
Hydrating your skin doesn’t have to be a big challenge and it’s important that you do so regularly to keep your complexion looking healthy and radiant. Hydrating your skin can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity, and even out the tone of your complexion. Hydrating your skin also helps to protect it from environmental damage, and keeps you looking younger. It’s easy to forget about hydrating your skin with all the doom-scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastinating you have to do, but make hydration part of your routine to keep it soft and glowing.
Apply Moisturizers
The best way to hydrate your skin is by using a moisturizer that contains humectants and occlusives. Occlusives like petroleum and mineral oil help to create a barrier on the face that keeps water from escaping. While humectants, like glycerin, sorbitol, urea and hyaluronic acid, help to pull moisture from the environment into your skin.
Keeping your skin hydrated is important for all skin types. Hydrated skin looks plump and healthy and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, a hydrated complexion helps to combat excess oil, as dehydrated skin produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Always apply your moisturizer to clean, slightly damp skin. This will ensure that it penetrates the surface and hydrates your skin properly. It’s also important to use a cleanser that is gentle, non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores.
