Dry and dull skin is a real concern for individuals suffering from it, which tends to age faster than oily skin. When your skin starts losing moisture and water, the protective outer and uppermost layers of the skin start to feel the effects of dehydration. That’s because, on average, our skin is 60% water, so keeping this balance is so important. Every day our skin loses water to the harsh sun—it’s totally normal! When your skin loses more water than it needs, it starts to show.
While dry skin, which is caused by a lack of oil, and dehydrated skin, caused by a lack of water, cause almost the same skin issues: tightness, roughness, flaking, scaling, rashes, inflammation, redness, and itching, they are two different skin problems and therefore need different types of treatment.
Our everyday lifestyle and certain inescapable factors can take a toll on your skin, causing it to be dehydrated. The moisture of the face can be sucked out by indoor air-conditioning and sudden temperature fluctuations, consuming more cups of caffeine than water, taking severely hot showers, and, of course, forgetting to maintain your gentle skincare routine. While nature has given us the gift of water in abundance, it should be used to achieve effortlessly fresh, hydrated, and blemish-free skin.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day!
Aim for 2 litres a day and liven it up with refreshing combinations such as mint and lemon. Alternatively, you can even go in for a mug of hot water, ginger, and lemon to have a more versatile spread. To ensure your skin has 60% water, try also eating more water-rich foods. We are talking green veggies and fruits like watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, strawberries, spinach, iceberg lettuce, radishes, and celery. It just balances your diet.
- Omega is mega good!
Each skin cell membrane is made up of omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to healthy, hydrated skin. They work at a deeper cellular level from the moment cells are formed, so the best way to get this going is by feeding on foods rich in Omega 3, from eggs to fish.
- Increase the humidity!
Air conditioning is often the culprit behind dehydrated skin on your face and body. They dry the air around us, sapping water from our skin. What is required is more moisture in the air to ensure less water evaporates from your skin. Why do you think your skin always looks so much better on a sweaty summer vacation?
- Stay hydrated when travelling!
Watch out: Dry air, low humidity levels, and air conditioning from airports and flight cabins can easily upset your skin’s moisture balance. Avoid the signs of dehydrated skin on your holiday by layering up with moisture-rich creams before you fly.