8 Ways to hydrate and moisturise your skin

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The skin is the largest organ in the body, but most people often overlook its importance and forgo caring for their dermal layers. If you don’t hydrate and moisturise your skin, you experience many problems.

This negligence is one of the reasons for skin problems like dryness, dullness, irritation, and even acne breakout. On the other hand, proper care helps the skin maintain its glow and keep it in good condition.

The easiest — and possibly most important — thing to do is hydrate and moisturise your skin. Hydration and moisture, although used interchangeably, are two distinct skin care needs that you can easily fulfill using different skincare products and following a healthier lifestyle.

Read on to know how you can hydrate and moisturise your skin to keep it fresh and youthful-looking.

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How you can hydrate and moisturise your skin

1. Cut your shower time

Many people like to linger in the shower, but if you’re concerned about your skin health, you might want to limit your washing time. A prolonged shower can dehydrate the skin as it washes away natural oils, fats, and proteins.

It’s best to keep your shower time between 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that your body is properly cleansed while maintaining its natural hydration levels. You should also avoid taking a hot shower, since it could dehydrate the skin compared to taking a cold or warm shower.

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2. Choose products with hydrators

Skincare products with hydrators help bring in water and bind it to your skin to maintain a normal hydration level. Hyaluronic acid, a type of hydrator, is one of the most popular ingredients that many skincare enthusiasts look for in a product because of its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in hydration.

Glycerin is another well-liked ingredient due to its natural moisturising factor, deep-skin penetrating abilities, and capacity to prevent irritation. The benefits from these ingredients also make them two of the most ideal choices to fix dry skin.

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3. Use a gentle cleanser

Harsh cleansers can strip away the natural oils on your skin, which causes it to dry out. Switching to gentle washes allows the skin to conserve its healthy barrier function while still removing daily debris, makeup, and excess oil.

Additionally, gentle cleansers help maintain a normal pH and hydration level, and are also an ideal choice for all skin types — be they for normal, sensitive, or dry skin.

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4. Do not over-cleanse

Overwashing your skin can be as destructive as not washing it enough. Going overboard with washing your face and body can lead to your skin drying out, cracking, and might even trigger eczema.

Aside from cutting down your shower time, you should also limit your face washing to only 30 seconds twice a day (in the morning and before sleeping). You should also consider leaving your skin damp instead of completely drying it after washing.

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5. Wear moisturiser and sunscreen

Applying moisturiser helps protect your skin from irritation and revive it from dryness after showering or washing your face. Moisturisers also create a barrier between your skin and the elements that could further dry it out, as well as increase its capacity to hold in water.

On the other hand, sunscreen can protect you from UV damage that causes dryness and irritation. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, especially when you’re going out, also locks in moisture as it sits on top of your skin.

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6. Drink enough water and eat a healthy diet

Getting enough water in your system will keep your body well-hydrated, both inside and out. Water aids in maintaining your skin’s elasticity on top of keeping you refreshed. It’s also important to adopt a healthy diet consisting of more fruits, vegetables, and whole fats that offer a positive effect on your skin’s hydration levels.

Additionally, food rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E can help prevent dryness as they hydrate and moisturise your skin from the inside.

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7. Limit alcohol, coffee, and cola intake

The caffeine in coffee and colas can affect the hydration levels of your skin, while alcohol causes the body to release more water and salt than usual. However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid these beverages at all costs.

It’s enough to limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption while eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water to maintain optimum skin hydration levels.

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8. Avoid smoking

Smoking reduces the omega-6 fatty acid levels and collagen production of the skin, which affects the moisture level of your dermal layers. It also increases the release of vasopressin, a hormone that regulates the body’s osmotic balance and blood pressure.

Heavy concentrations of this hormone can disrupt your body’s natural blood flow. This disturbance would then affect the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, resulting in various conditions like dryness, irritation, and even eczema. Avoid smoking to hydrate and moisturise your skin.

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Conclusion

Getting well-hydrated and moisturised skin doesn’t happen overnight. There are potent products that could deliver immediate results, but those options might do more damage as they are likely to replace your skin’s natural barrier instead of healing or improving it.

Moreover, what works for other people might not be beneficial for you since people’s skins are unique to one another and will react to products in different ways.

Instead, opt for a holistic approach using the tips above to ensure a healthy, efficient way to hydrate and moisturise your dermal layers. Be mindful of the ingredients present in the products you want to try and consult a dermatologist to get proper guidance in achieving healthier and glowing skin.

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