Having healthy, hydrated skin is essential for a glowing complexion. However, it can be difficult to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, particularly in a dry Australian climate.
From environmental factors to lifestyle choices, there are many things that can affect the health of your skin. Fortunately, there are some simple tips you can follow to keep your skin plump and hydrated.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss nine tips for keeping your skin looking and feeling its best.
Is my skin dry or dehydrated?
Before we jump in, it’s important to understand whether you have chronically dry skin or dehydrated skin.
Dry skin is a skin type that lacks natural oils and moisture, while dehydrated skin is a condition that occurs when the skin is lacking water which can be attributed to temporary factors. Dry skin can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or lifestyle choices, while dehydrated skin is usually caused by not drinking enough water, using harsh skincare products, or spending too much time in the sun.
How To Hydrate Your Skin – 9 Skincare Tips
Whether you have dehydrated or dry skin, there are some things you can do to switch up your skincare routine in order to improve skin health and hydrate skin.
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and healthier. It can help flush out nasty toxins, improve skin elasticity and regulate the body‘s temperature, which can help keep the skin from becoming too dry or oily.
Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to ensure your skin is getting the hydration it needs.
2. Use a moisturiser
This might sound like an obvious one, but applying a moisturiser to your face and body will help lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.
Moisturiser helps to keep the skin hydrated by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin that locks in moisture and prevents water loss.
It also helps to replenish the skin‘s natural oils, which can be depleted due to environmental factors such as cold weather, wind, and air conditioning. Moisturiser can also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as improve skin tone and texture.
Look for a moisturiser that is specifically designed for your skin type, such as an oil-free moisturiser for oily skin or a hydrating moisturiser for dry skin.
3. Avoid hot showers
Hot showers can strip away the natural oils from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight. Instead, opt for lukewarm water for your shower and limit them to no more than 10 minutes.
4. Use a humidifier
If you live in a dry climate, using a humidifier in your home can help add moisture back into the air and keep your skin hydrated and healthy. If using a humidifier, it’s recommended to clean it regularly to remove the build-up of bacteria or mould being dispersed directly onto your face (yikes!) and use distilled water if possible. You ultimately want to avoid making your skin infected or irritated, or worse, make yourself sick.
5. Eat more water-rich foods
Eating foods that are high in water content can help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, and celery are all great options. Additionally, foods rich in healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, and seeds, can help to keep your skin and body hydrated and foods that are high in electrolytes, such as coconut water and yogurt.
6. Seal in moisture with a sheet mask
Sheet masks can be both a relaxing and effective way to aid dehydrated skin.
Sheet masks are made of a thin, breathable material that is soaked in a serum or essence that is full of beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and other humectants. These ingredients help to draw moisture into the skin and keep it there for longer periods of time.
7. Change up your cleanser
Consider swapping to a gentle cleanser if looking to hydrate skin.
This is because harsh cleansers can strip away the natural oils and moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. Gentle cleansers are formulated with mild ingredients that are designed to cleanse the skin without stripping away its natural oils and moisture.
Additionally, if you don’t have particularly oily skin, you may only need to cleanse your skin once a day (in the evening). This is again, to not strip your skin of the natural oils that developed throughout the night.
8. Seek hydrating ingredients in your skincare
Skincare products are formulated with various different ingredients that serve different purposes when it comes to skin hydration.
Humectants
Humectants are ingredients used in skin care products that help to attract and retain moisture in the skin. They work by drawing water from the environment and from deeper layers of the skin to the surface, helping to keep the skin hydrated and plump. Common humectants used in skin care products include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, aloe vera and urea.
Emollients
Emollients are ingredients used in skincare products to help soften and soothe dry, rough, flaky and irritated skin by filling it with fatty substances called lipids. They are essentially a part of a moisturiser that keeps your skin soft and smooth. Emollients that contain lots of oil, also work to seal moisture in your skin.
Examples of emollients are cocoa butter, fatty acids and squalane.
Occlusives
They work by forming a protective barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and preventing water loss. Emollients can be found in a variety of products, including waxes, creams, ointments, and oils. Common emollients include lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum.
9. Consider Taking Supplements
Another thing that can help with skin hydration is taking supplements.
Supplements can provide essential vitamins and minerals that can help to keep your skin hydrated and nourished. Collagen supplements can not only help to increase your body’s collagen production but also help increase skin hydration and firmness.
10. Don’t over-exfoliate
Over–exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the natural skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. This can make it harder for the skin to retain moisture, leading to further dehydration.
That’s not to say regular exfoliation isn’t beneficial. In fact, occasionally removing dead skin cells helps ensure your moisturiser absorbs better.
By following these simple steps, you can easily keep your skin hydrated and looking its best. So don’t forget to drink plenty of water, use a moisturiser, avoid hot showers, use a humidifier, and eat hydrating foods to keep your skin healthy and glowing!
