How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Keeping your skin hydrated is important if you care about skin health. Hydration is key to keeping skin from being dry, brittle, and prone to cracking. It also helps the skin be plumper and more elastic. This guide covers skin hydration, why it is important, and several ways to keep your skin hydrated. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Hydration?
When it comes to skin, hydration means adding moisture or water. Having healthy skin includes protecting your moisture barrier. The moisture barrier is the outer layer of skin that retains water and helps protect the skin. If your moisture barrier is damaged, your skin can become dehydrated, irritated, or cracked.
What Causes Skin to Become Dehydrated?
Many things can cause your skin to become dehydrated. Skin dehydration can be caused by changes in the weather, your diet, or the products you use. Thankfully, dehydrated skin can usually be fixed with a few simple solutions.
How to Keep Skin Hydrated
There are several simple ways to keep your skin hydrated and protect your moisture barrier. The following section covers different ways to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Use a Good Moisturizer
Using a good moisturizer is one of the best ways to keep your skin hydrated. Moisturize your skin every day, preferably morning and night. Consider using a lightweight moisturizer in the morning and a thicker, deeply moisturizing one at night.
Look for a nourishing moisturizer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea.
Use Gentle Cleansers
Some face cleansers will cause your skin to be drier, so look for gentle cleansers that will help hydrate your skin. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, vitamin E, and aloe vera in your cleansers.
Steer clear of ingredients that could damage your moisture barrier and make your skin even dryer. It is best to avoid products that contain alcohol, sulfates, and fragrances.
Wash Face With Lukewarm Water
Many people enjoy taking showers in hot water. Washing your face with really hot water can be damaging to your skin and cause dehydration. It is best to always wash your face with lukewarm water. If you take hot showers, try not to let the hot water hit your face. Finish your shower with lukewarm water and wash your face then.
Try a Hydrating Mask
A hydrating mask can be very nourishing and hydrating for your skin. Try using a hydrating sheet mask once or twice per week as the last step in your nightly skincare routine. This can be very relaxing, and enjoyable, and result in healthy, smooth skin.
Drink More Water
Not getting enough water can lead to dehydration for your body, including your skin. Make sure you drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. The average adult needs about 64 ounces per day. Drinking enough water can help clear up break-outs, helps prevent dryness and irritation, and protects your moisture barrier.
Try Slugging While Sleeping
Slugging is a trend in skincare that helps keep your skin ultra-hydrated. Slugging, in simple terms, is slathering on a layer of petroleum jelly or other occlusive and leaving it on while you sleep. This practice protects your moisture barrier as you sleep and results in smooth soft skin.
For more information about keeping your skin hydrated, visit Advanced Esthetics today. Contact us now to schedule a consultation.