If the only time you ever notice that your skin is glowing is when there is a screen in front of it, then you’re not alone. With the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy for different aspects of your well-being to take a hit and, more often than not, this is usually your skincare routine. But, keeping your skin hydrated is important for a number of different reasons, beyond just looking healthy and well-rested.
When skin is properly hydrated, it is able to carry out its main function and act as a natural barrier to harsh, external elements, but if the structure of the skin is damaged, then it becomes more vulnerable to breaking and cracking. The most common way that skin can become dehydrated is when water is drawn out of the body, such as when taking hot showers, eating salty foods, drinking alcohol, or forgetting to apply moisturiser daily. With this in mind, here are 5 different ways you can boost your skin’s hydration.
Avoid Taking Overly Hot Showers and Baths
It might seem like taking hot baths and showers can help dehydrated skin, it can actually have the opposite effect. Hot baths and showers encourage water to evaporate from your skin into the shower, which then
dehydrates your skin. The best showers to have if your skin is dehydrated are short and lukewarm ones that help to lock in and retain moisture.
Steer Clear Of Over Cleansing
If you over-cleanse your skin, then you are repeatedly stripping it of its natural microbiome and moisturising barrier. You should avoid cleansing your face more than twice a day, but if you have to cleanse more than this, then you should look to use a light moisturiser following any additional cleanse to avoid losing any further hydration loss.
And Avoid Using Harsh Cleansers
Harsh cleansers strip the skin of natural moisturising factors and can lead to cracking, drying and redness and can even lead to eczema. You should look for gentle cleansers and avoid any that have added chemical exfoliants, such as salicylic and glycolic acid. Try to choose one with as many natural ingredients as possible, or cleansers with added vitamins.
Don’t Let Your Skin Dry Out After Cleansing
Instead of letting your skin completely dry after cleansing, you should gently pat it dry so that your skin is still slightly damp when you apply your tonic or moisturiser. This helps to ensure that the moisturiser you apply will also pull in additional moisture that your skin can absorb to help boost its hydration levels.
Revamp Your Makeup Routine
You can also give your skin a much-needed hydration boost by revamping your makeup routine. By adding certain products to your makeup routine, your skin can be restored back to its dewy self. Try to look for
cosmetics that contain moisture-retaining ingredients, such as squalane, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. You should also look for makeup products that contain SPF to help add an extra layer of protection against UV rays.