How to hydrate the skin: all the tricks
The secret to having healthy, smooth, and rejuvenated skin is, without a doubt, proper hydration. Hydrating the skin is a goal achieved through various means, from what we eat to what we apply. In our quest for perfect skin, we have found a series of habits that you must put into practice. That’s why in this article we’ll show you How to hydrate the skin: all the tricks.
You don’t have to worry, to achieve dreamy skin it’s not necessary to spend large amounts of money, surely more than one of the recommendations you’ll see in this article can be done with ingredients you have at home, and those you don’t, are easy and very affordable natural products.
What is hydration
Everyone in the cosmetic field talks about hydration, but do you know what they are referring to? Do you have any idea what hydrated skin means? If any of your answers was negative, you need to learn a little more about this process to fully understand what you want to provide for your skin.
An excellent option to hydrate the skin is by using homemade creams, find out how to make them by reading How to make a homemade moisturizing cream for the face
The skin is an organ made up of several layers, and each one fulfills an indispensable function for its proper functioning. In this case, we will talk about the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer and the one we come into contact with every day of our lives. In the epidermis is the horny layer, a structure composed of corneocytes and epidermal cells linked by specific lipids.
This layer provides physical protection from environmental aggressions, heat, humidity, dust, bacteria, etc. For it to fully perform these functions, it must have a water percentage between 10 and 15%; if it does not meet this level of water, the skin is classified as dehydrated.
At the same time, in that horny layer, there is the hydro-lipidic layer that covers the entire surface of the epidermis. It is formed by an interlacing of water and lipids secreted by the sebaceous glands. As long as this mechanism is working correctly, the skin will maintain the flexibility and protection it needs.
Characteristics of dehydrated skin
Having well-hydrated skin is the cornerstone of healthy-looking, healthy skin. To achieve this purpose, a balance must be established between topical and internal hydration, and we will talk about that throughout the article, but if you want to know the current state of your skin, we will show you the characteristics of dehydrated skin:
- It is dull: if the skin is not well hydrated, it will lose its luminosity, looking dull and very matte.
- It is dry: to verify this, you just have to run a nail over your forearm, if you notice that a white line forms in its path, it is because your skin is very dry and, consequently, dehydrated.
- Skin spots: as we have previously explained, both the corneal layer and the hydro-lipidic layer have the main function of protecting the skin, and this protection also includes protection against UV rays. It doesn’t replace the use of sunscreen, but it does establish significant protection. When a dehydration process is established in the skin, the known sun spots appear more easily.
- Little flexibility: this in the medium term has terrible consequences, yes, we refer to premature aging. To check the level of flexibility of your skin, just pinch and stretch upwards, if upon letting go your skin does not immediately return to its normal state, but is slow, your skin is very dehydrated.
- Flaking and itching: as you might expect, a dehydrated skin is more easily irritated because it does not present adequate natural lubrication, so it tends to flake and lose the compact skin uniformity.
Do oily skins require hydration?
This is a fairly common question, and there is the mistaken idea that only dry skins need continuous hydration and that, on the contrary, oily skins should avoid the use of moisturizing products so as not to continue producing oil or sebum. This is a serious mistake, one thing is the texture -or type of skin- and quite another is the skin condition.
A person who has dry skin type can present optimal levels of hydration and still contemplate the same characteristics of this skin type. Similarly, a person whose skin type is oily can present severe dehydration and, consequently, produce more sebum than normal, but sebum is not water, that must be very clear.
Each skin type requires products specially designed to meet its needs, whether dry, oily, sensitive, or combination. No matter what skin type you have, it requires daily hydration.
What to eat to have hydrated skin
The skin is an incredibly receptive organ and is nourished both from the outside and from the inside, so nutrition plays a fundamental role in the hydration process, which, after all, will lead you to beautiful and healthy skin. In this sense, there are a series of foods that will greatly help in this purpose and others that will perform an opposite function, being directly responsible for the dehydration of the epidermis.
What foods hydrate the skin
Foods with high levels of water are the best bet for having well-hydrated skin. Of course, you should consume proteins, red and white meats to maintain a balanced diet and thus meet all the body’s requirements; however, there are a series of fruits, vegetables, and greens that, thanks to their water, mineral, and nutrient content, are the best option to keep the skin hydrated.
1- Watermelon
Watermelon is a delicious fruit that is composed mostly of water, its 90% makes it a star food to maintain good hydration. It is extremely refreshing –perfect for hot summer days− and contains multiple vitamins, such as A, B, and C that benefit the skin greatly.
2- Cucumber
This food can be taken advantage of topically, to hydrate and moisturize the contour of your eyes, as well as consuming it. It has almost 95% water and is tremendously hydrating and anti-inflammatory. You can eat it in salads or even make cucumber-based smoothies, which will not only hydrate you but also help you eliminate toxins from your body.
3- Avocado
Avocado belongs to the category of superfoods thanks to its high level of nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids, fiber, and proteins; in a few words, a complete food that will improve your health in general and, especially, the health of your skin.
4- Green apple
Not only is it irresistibly delicious, it also has the ability to hydrate your skin from the inside. Its composition of malic acid and tartaric acid will stimulate the elimination of toxins and dead cells, while helping to maintain skin hydration.
5- Papaya
A privileged fruit known for its ability to improve digestion thanks to its papain content. However, it also has a great ability to hydrate the skin thanks to its high levels of water and, to top it off, it also improves collagen production and protects the skin from the sun’s rays thanks to the beta-carotenes contained in this incredible fruit.
6- Tomato
A versatile and vitamin-rich food. The tomato is indispensable in our best recipes, but did you know that it is very good for hydrating the skin? Not only does it have high levels of water, but it also has antioxidants and natural acids that greatly benefit skin health.
Water, an essential element
We wanted to give the space it deserves to this vital liquid. Water is the main component of life and its daily consumption is not important, but vital. And we are talking about water, not sugary substitutes that we are used to consuming daily; nothing can replace water in your daily diet.
The issue goes beyond a set consumption of 8 glasses a day, or two liters; you should consider your lifestyle and the climate of your locality to determine the ideal amount for your body. If you live in very arid, dry, or hot places or your day-to-day is full of exercise and physical activity, your water consumption should be higher to replace what is lost through sweat.
Do not let your water consumption only depend on thirst. When our body sends those signals it is already presenting dehydration, set an alarm on your phone to remind you of the consumption of this vital element.
What to apply to have hydrated skin
To have soft, lush, youthful, and above all, hydrated skin requires solid teamwork. Thus, what we eat, as we have already exposed, is as important as what we apply. Moisturizing creams are the most popular cosmetic product of all and for good reason, they must be applied every day to improve and preserve our skin’s hydration.
Natural oils
Not everyone leans towards creamy textures, but luckily it is not the only option. Natural oils are a true wonder in terms of hydration and also have an incredible variety capable of pleasing all tastes and skin types. You can apply it all over the body, from the face to the legs, bearing subtle and delicious natural scents.
Homemade moisturizing creams
Despite the wide variety offered by the market, the trend to make our beauty products has firmly consolidated, and it offers incredible results, low prices, and a plus of environmental awareness.
Apply a moisturizer every day, in the morning before your sunscreen and at night after your routine, applying your moisturizer or natural oils to hydrate the skin will only take you 2 minutes, but you will be grateful for the rest of your life.
Do not forget to take the time to gently massage the product to be absorbed and hydrate even the deepest layers of the skin, always with circular and upward movements to improve blood circulation.
All the tricks to have hydrated skin
1- Cold tea and infusions instead of soda
Changing this aspect will bring about a significant change in the appearance of your skin. Sodas are loaded with chemicals and sugar that rob the skin of hydration and undermine your overall health.
At first, you may feel the change because your body easily gets used to the industrial amounts of sugar contained in this product, but do not give up, gradually replace them with infusions or cold tea sweetened with honey, not only is it a delicious and refreshing alternative, but it will also help you detoxify the body, so it will have a stunning appearance.
2- Use neutral soaps
In this sense, less is more, and the more natural your skin care products are, the better the results will be. Pay special attention to your cleansing lotion, it should take care of the pH of the skin and not alter it with unnecessary chemicals or fragrances. Use one with a mild formulation that doesn’t dry out your skin and stay away from solid bars completely.
3- Daily cleaning
This is an indisputable step, when the skin is dirty the pores are clogged and a layer is created that does not let the skin breathe, this not only causes the spread of skin blemishes such as pimples, blackheads, and black spots, but it also prevents the skin’s hydration from being optimized, the consequences of this will be duller and lifeless skin.
4- Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating your skin once a week will ensure two things: the first, that you eliminate all dead skin cells; the second, that your skin can better absorb any moisturizer or product, since it will not have to struggle to penetrate the dead skin layer.
5- Protect yourself from the sun
We already talked about the application of sunscreen, but that doesn’t mean we’ll throw ourselves into the mercy of the sun without additional protection, especially on those days when the high temperatures seem to be out of control. Do not leave the house without your sunglasses, a hat, or an umbrella. Taking in the sun is essential, but its direct and prolonged contact is not only the main cause of skin aging, but also of dehydration.
6- Respect your sleeping hours
Yes, sleeping and having a restorative night’s sleep can become your best ally in keeping your skin hydrated. When we sleep is when the body has its greatest capacity to regenerate, including the skin. Sleep at least 8 hours a day and your skin will thank you.
What factors take away skin hydration
Alcohol
One of the effects of alcohol, besides inducing us to call our ex, is its nefarious ability to dehydrate the skin at the same time as it thins and ages it, and no, it does not take an industrial consumption to have these consequences. When we engage in its recurrent consumption, both the skin and other organs will feel and reflect the ravages of its effects.
If your consumption is habitual, examine your skin very well, you will surely notice signs of dehydration and flaccidity. Do not leave all the responsibility to heavily advertised creams and take care of your skin’s health by reducing the consumption of this substance.
Alcohol will not only dehydrate your skin and age it, it will also cause the development of cutaneous vascular lesions, commonly known as “spider veins”.
Tobacco
There are few things that produce such rapid epidermal deterioration as the consumption of tobacco or cigarettes, it is not a metaphorical expression: “cigarettes wither your skin.”
Nicotine, its active principle –in addition to the 4000 toxic chemicals it contains−, promotes skin dehydration, making it difficult for oxygen and various nutrients to travel to the skin’s connective tissue. It also affects the skin’s ability to regenerate, so its healing capacity deteriorates.
And if your skin’s health doesn’t concern you enough, remember that tobacco also deteriorates the health of your lungs and your cardiovascular system.
Excess sugar
You must be wondering why, in addition to damaging your figure, sugar also mistreats your skin? We know how difficult it is to resist the temptation of a delicious chocolate, and it is not a sin, only you should leave it as an “occasional” reward and not a daily one. In itself, excessive sugar consumption poisons the health of your skin and promotes the appearance of skin blemishes.
Pimples, pimples, and black spots, these will be the first signs of sugar abuse, but in the medium term it will also age your skin deteriorating collagen fibers and will suppress its ability to hydrate and absorb the necessary nutrients to have hydrated and healthy skin.
It may be that applying most of the tricks to hydrate the skin is tedious but never difficult, so with just a little discipline you can greatly help your skin to look healthy, beautiful, and hydrated.
Every small act adds up to the main purpose and when your friends ask you how you do for the years not to be reflected on your skin you will be proud of your decisions. So, without further ado, we hope you enjoyed all the information on how to hydrate the skin: all the tricks. See you next time.