Debunking the myths about dehydrated skin
Our skin is amazing! It responds to weather, to our daily stresses, and to changes in our hormones. It protects us and adapts with us, so when we feel our skin isn’t looking its best, it might be a sign. We all say things and hear things about our skin, like “My skin is dry!” “My skin feels dehydrated!” ” My skin needs moisture.” “My skin looks dull.” But all of these statements are half-truths – our skin is much more complex than we give it credit for.
“Dry” and “dehydrated” are not the same
Dry skin is a skin type And dehydrated skin is a skin condition. Dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks natural oils, or “sebum”. Take a small portion of your skin, on your cheek area, and squeeze it lightly with your fingers. If you notice any wrinkling, and if the skin doesn’t bounce back after you let go, then your skin is probably dehydrated. Look closely at your skin. If you see or feel that the surface layer of your skin is flaky and dull, this is probably dry skin. These home spa ideas may help you to tackle either kind of skin problem!
Eat right for good skin
In celebration of National Healthy Skin month, let’s look into how we can help solve these issues with some easy and effective tricks!
It is true what they say: We are what we eat, and also what we drink. To keep your skin healthy, eat more dark green leafy greens at lunch and dinner. For breakfast, make sure to incorporate berries with your meal! After checking with your doctor, consider taking 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C per day. Vitamins A, D, and K can also be beneficial to your dermatological health. Everyone’s body is different, so try each of these methods separately to troubleshoot what works for you.
Make sure to stay hydrated!
Drinking more water is always effective in helping dehydrated skin. The benefits of staying hydrated know no bounds, so it’s also important to avoid foods and drinks that dehydrate you.
Cutting down on sugar and alcohol can truly make a difference – it can make your skin look more radiant, full, and youthful. Adding oils such as olive, flaxseed, or fatty acids omega 3,6, and 9, can help dry skin. Adding these oils can really help your skin put off a natural glow! And don’t we all want our faces to glow?
Of course, cutting back on sugar and alcohol will also lower the risk of breakouts in acne-prone skin. If sugar and alcohol are not the cause of your skin problems, ask yourself if your stress levels are higher than usual. If the answer is “yes,” then maybe it is time to start walking or exercising regularly. Breaking a sweat can rid your pores of toxins, help your skin find a balanced pH level, and reduce stress hormones in the body. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Moisturizing products
Moisturizers, moisturizing oils, and serums are all wonderful to smell and feel, but many of them can actually harm your skin if not used correctly.
We all love buying skin products and trying the newest and the latest moisturizers on the market, especially when our friends recommended them to us. However, your best friend’s skin is probably quite different than yours. Do research into moisturizing products before buying, and don’t believe the hype. Finding a moisturizing product that penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin isn’t that easy! f
At night our pores naturally open, so right before bedtime is your best shot at effectively moisturizing. At this time, a great moisturizer and or serum can help you. Using products in the morning will provide a protective barrier to the skin, but without your pores fully open, moisturizing products will not be as effective. If you want to save money, use your products at night, or after a hot shower or bath.
In the morning, try eye patches or a rose quartz roller to wake your skin up. The rose quartz roller acts as a light massage for the skin, offering a lifting effect.
Raid the refrigerator
After a shower, fill a bowl with very hot water and get a face towel ready for use. Mix a 1/4 cup of an avocado, 1 tablespoon of organic plain Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon Manuka honey ( It’s expensive but so good for you!) Mix these ingredients together until smooth.
Warm your face up for 1 minute with hot towels, and apply this homemade mixture to your face, neck, and chest for 15 minutes for optimal hydration. Wipe off with a warm towel. Lastly, splash your face with cool water, and pat dry. Voila! Smooth, supple skin.
Suzanna Melendez is a medical esthetician and makeup artist. Her product, Skinshine Beauty Body Blush, can be found at @skinshinebeauty1 on Instagram, and on Shopify.
