4 reasons to keep your skin hydrated
Looking after your skin is essential. One of the most important ways you can do this is by keeping the skin hydrated. Whether you’re worried about oiliness, skin elasticity, impurities or wrinkles, hydration is the key to preventing these issues and keeping your skin in tip-top shape. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of having hydrated skin.
1. Better Skin Elasticity
Elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to stretch and contract back to its original appearance. It plays an essential role in preventing it from looking leathery, saggy or crinkled.
To test for skin elasticity, pinch your skin gently, then release it and see if it contracts. If your skin doesn’t bounce back, then it means your skin cells are lacking hydration, so you should try to drink more water and hydrate in other ways.
2. Aids with Detoxing
During the metabolic process, the body produces toxins as a by-product. Some toxins build up in the skin, making it appear dull. Drinking water and staying hydrated assists in flushing these toxins out of the body, helping to keep your skin looking its best.
3. Prevents Oiliness
Oily skin is by no means the worst thing to have; it helps keep the skin looking young and free from wrinkles. However, dehydrated skin can be oily as the body detects the low levels of moisture in the skin and activates the sebaceous glands, which secrete oil.
This can result in clogged pores, pimples and acne. By keeping the skin hydrated, your body will stay ‘balanced’ and not produce oils or clogged pores.
4. Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles
As we begin to age, the body produces less collagen, resulting in less elastic skin. Proper hydration plays an important role in maintaining the skin’s elasticity by plumping up the skin cells. This results in the skin looking smoother, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
How Can You Keep Your Skin Hydrated?
The easiest and most important thing to do to keep your skin hydrated is to drink enough water – eight glasses every day, to be exact! Drinking enough water does not only keep your skin hydrated and happy, but it also plays other essential roles in the body.
Applying a moisturiser to the skin also assists in hydration by locking moisture into the skin and creating a protective barrier. Eating foods that are rich in fatty acids, like olive oil, pumpkin seeds, and salmon also improves skin hydration.
You should also look to lower the temperature of your baths and showers. Very hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. Air conditioning and heating in the home can also reduce the skin’s moisture levels, leaving it dry and itchy. So rather, turn down these appliances and potentially look to increase the humidity in your home to an optimal level.
