Your guide to skin hydration

You may have already noticed that we often mention hydration. Well, healthy, glowing skin starts with proper hydration. And it's not just about drinking enough water. The skin's moisture barrier is made up of fats like cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. This barrier is responsible for retaining moisture and keeping the skin hydrated and healthy. In other words, by maintaining the balance of oils and water in our skin, we give this remarkable organ the best chance to play its role to maximum effect.

When the moisture barrier is damaged or compromised, it can cause serious skin hydration issues. Fortunately, moisture barrier damage is not permanent. With the right changes to your lifestyle and skincare routine, you can reverse the damage and restore proper hydration to your skin.

In this blog post, I want to go a little deeper into why skin hydration is important, how to identify dehydrated skin, and the best ways to keep it hydrated and glowing.

Why is hydration essential for skin care?

Water is an essential part of the human body's composition: it is both what we contain and what we need. Replenishing its frequently depleted reserves is crucial to maintaining a healthy level of hydration in our body. And, as you can already understand from the introduction of this article, in our skin.

Hydration is crucial to maintaining the skin's barrier function, which protects against environmental aggressors such as pollution, UV rays and bacteria. Well-hydrated skin is more resilient, less prone to irritation and looks smoother and more youthful. On the other hand, dehydrated skin can lead to problems such as dryness, flaking, increased sensitivity and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Why does the skin lose moisture?

I hope we can all agree that it is extremely important to hydrate the skin, but do you know why the skin loses moisture?

Well, sometimes things we do (or don't do) deplete the water content of our skin. These things could be something like:

• Spending a lot of time in the cold or heat
• Using soaps, detergents and strong chemicals
• Using rough sponges, cloths or exfoliating products
• Take long, hot showers or baths
• Not drinking enough water throughout the day

The good news is that all of the above-mentioned problems are fairly easy to fix. By drinking a few extra glasses of water a day, keeping shower time short, or minimizing soap use, you can already significantly improve your skin's hydration levels.

Of course, there are medical conditions that can cause skin dehydration. For example:

• Thyroid disease
• Menopause
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition, etc.

In these cases, your doctor should be able to help you find the best treatment for your condition.

How to identify and maintain hydrated skin

Before we dive into ways to hydrate your skin, it’s crucial to know when it needs attention. There are multiple signs of dehydration that can help you identify if your skin needs extra care. Some signs to look out for include:

• Dryness and flaking : Even oily skin can feel tight and appear flaky when it's dehydrated.
• Dullness : Dehydrated skin often lacks a healthy glow and can appear dull and lifeless.
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles : Lack of hydration can make fine lines more noticeable.
• Sensitivity : Dehydrated skin is more prone to redness and irritation.
• Dark circles : Dehydration can make dark circles appear more prominent.

In general, dehydrated skin will have a loss of elasticity and will not have the dewy glow that characterizes well-hydrated skin. Hydration is especially important for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as proper hydration reduces the likelihood of breakouts and redness.

Skin hydration test

If you're not sure about your skin's hydration levels, you can do a little test. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the fleshy part of the skin where your cheek and under-eye area meet. Its level of hydration and elasticity is indicated by how quickly the skin springs back into place. The faster it springs back, the higher the hydration level. Skin that slowly returns to its usual position often indicates dehydration and poor elasticity.

How to keep your skin hydrated

There are several steps you can take every day to improve your lifestyle and the health of your skin, including its hydration levels. Here are some easy tips to keep your skin hydrated:

• Get enough sleep (8-9 hours).
• Limit shower time to 5-10 minutes and use lukewarm water.
• Drink enough water.
• Reduce the amount of coffee and alcohol you consume.
• Avoid smoking.
• Follow a varied diet rich in essential fatty acids.
• Protect your skin from the sun, wind and cold.
• Try to reduce your stress levels.

Changes in your skin care routine

Additionally, you can implement some important changes in your skin care routine:

• Switch to a mild cleanser.
• Use products that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, lipids and fatty acids.
• Apply a moisturizing mask from time to time.
• Always use sunscreen at any time of the year. Solar radiation causes sagging, dehydration, spots and wrinkles on your skin.