Top Five Ways to Keep Skin Hydrated
Written for Walgreens.com
Hydrated skin equals happy skin. It seems like such a simple equation, but often times, it isn’t. That’s because a lot of things come into play: diet, water consumption, beauty products, sun exposure. It can be confusing to get hydrated, let alone happy, skin. That’s why we created our list of the top five ways to keep skin hydrated. Read on for moisturized, plump, and happy skin.
1. Hydrate from the inside out
One of the best things you can do to increase the hydration of your skin is to increase the hydration of your body. The two are intricately connected. If you don’t have enough water in your system from eating fruits and vegetables, as well as drinking water, your body won’t be able to send that moisture to the surface of your skin. So eat raw fruits and vegetables, which contain a significant amount of water, drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, and stay away from diuretics (substances that cause your body to expel more water in your urine) such as coffee, tea, and alcohol.
2. Reduce your sun exposure
Most of us have been there, red with sunburn and then covered in flaking skin. As far as skin hydration goes, that’s a nightmare. The sun does more than damage your skin. It also dries it out by reducing its natural oil. So skip the tanning bed, lather on the sunscreen, and protect those oils.
3. Avoid water that is too hot
Sun is not the only culprit for reducing the skin’s natural oils. Bathing or showering in water that’s too hot can do the same thing. When your skin is exposed to water that is too hot, it becomes stripped of its natural oils and moisturizers. Cool the water temperature and stay hydrated for longer.
4. Sleep with a humidifier
Especially in the summer, when many people use air conditioning, the air is an enemy of skin hydration. Combat the effects of air conditioning and dry air on your skin by sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom. If you don’t have a humidifier, fill a bowl with water and keep it in your room overnight. The air conditioning will dry up the water from the bowl rather than from your skin.
5. Use the right products
Once you’ve hydrated from the inside out, reduced your sun exposure, turned down your water temperature, and added some water to your bedroom at night, you still may have trouble keeping your skin properly hydrated. Luckily, there are many products that can come to your rescue. Look for moisturizing products to replace your existing beauty products. This can mean swapping your shower gel for a shower cream, or buying a facial lotion that contains ingredients like vitamin E, shea butter, or jojoba oil. Other moisturizing ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, which contains powerful moisturizers, and aloe vera. Steer clear of products that contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin.