Dehydration is one of the most common skin care issues, affecting both men and women of all ages around the globe. Studies have shown that approximately 95% of the population have experienced dry skin at least once in their lifetime.
All cells—including skin cells—need fluids passing through them to function properly. These fluids carry nutrients to cells and flush out any toxic materials that are hiding deep within the skin. Compare it to a river: To support the rest of the ecosystem, the river has to flow steadily to get water and nutrients to every organism downstream. If the river dries up, then the rest of the ecosystem—from the top to the bottom of the food chain—suffers.
There are a variety of things that can trigger dry skin, such as diet, skin care products, and environmental conditions. Regardless of the underlying issue, they all have one thing in common: They can deprive your skin of water. Once your skin is dehydrated, it’s robbed of vital nutrients, which may lead to fine lines, a loss of collagen and elasticity, and flaking or discolored skin. Like the river and its ecosystem, your body needs to stay hydrated to function properly.
Dry and dehydrated skin is a very common problem, but the good news is that there are super-simple ways to keep your skin hydrated, so you can wake up every morning to naturally glowing skin:
- Use a facial cleanser, not soap
Using soap to clean your face can actually strip your skin of its hydration. When looking for facial cleansers, it’s important to avoid dehydrating ingredients—such as alcohol and petroleum-based chemicals. Look for a cleanser that is free of artificial fragrances, questionable surfactants/detergents, and harsh chemicals. —such as our new Luminous Gel Oil Cleanser—that will gently polish and purify your skin for instant radiance. - Moisturize
Perhaps the most obvious tip on this list, using a moisturizer after cleansing your face can help hydrate dry skin. When your skin is dry, it needs water-attracting ingredients in order to re-hydrate. Opt for serums or moisturizers that have hyaluronic acid, which will lock in moisture and prevent drying. Products with hyaluronic acid in them will ensure that your skin stays hydrated for hours, no matter what climate you’re in. We recommend trying our new YOUTH Moisture Activating Serum, which contains a unique blend of four forms of hyaluronic acid that can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water, to trap and retain moisture in skin’s deeper layers. Moisture Lock Day Cream protects your skin from moisture loss all day long for smoother, plumper, softer, and more hydrated skin. It’s designed to be used after the Moisture Activating Serum, and it contains Vital Repair+® Complex and Muscadine Grape Extract for anti-aging benefits. - Drink lots of water
This one is sort of a no-brainer—drink water to stay hydrated. But did you know that the recommended daily consumption of water is eight glasses? And that number increases if you exercise daily or sweat a lot in the summer heat, so your daily recommended water intake can end up being 10 or more glasses of water a day!
The easiest way to ensure you’re getting enough water daily is to carry a reusable water bottle. You can easily track how many glasses you’ve had that day easily by keeping a tally mark on your phone or in a notebook—plus, as an added bonus you’re helping reduce plastic waste in the environment!
Another way to get more water daily is to eat foods like watermelon, berries, grapes, or grapefruit. These fruits are water-packed and they’re full of healthy nutrients that will contribute to your skin’s natural glow. - Opt for warm—not hot—showers
During those chilly winter months or after a high-intensity workout, hot showers may feel so good, but they’re actually damaging to your skin. Hot water under high pressure may irritate your skin or even cause the delicate capillaries under your skin to break. Hot water also washes away your skin’s protective oils. You may think this is a good thing if you have acne-prone skin, but it can actually make your acne worse, because your skin will likely produce more oil to compensate. So, avoid dry, tight, and itchy skin after you shower by opting for milder temperatures.Protect your face from the sun
The sun-kissed look makes a great in pictures but it’s important to ensure that we protect our skin while we lay out by the pool or at the beach. Using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 will allow you to still get that golden glow you desire, but still protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.Using a product such as our Age Defense Mineral Moisturizer will keep your skin protected throughout the day (make sure to re-apply every 2 hours in the sun though!). It’s made with naturally derived zinc oxide, which provides chemical-free SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection as well as essential vitamins and nourishing oils to moisturize your skin and improve your overall skin tone.
Life is all about balance, and your skin is no exception. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to a happier, healthier, and brighter you.
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