Achieving Radiant Skin Through Hydration: Tips and Tricks for Optimal Hydration | The Lillee by Lill

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Does your skin look drier than usual? If your answer is yes, you’re probably dealing with one of the most common skin concerns: dehydration.

You see, just like you, your skin also gets thirsty. Without proper hydration, your skin can feel itchy and dry, not to mention look less than beautiful—and no one wants that! Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to keep your skin hydrated year-round. In this article, we’ll lay down the basics of skin hydration, and share a few tips on how you can maintain your skin’s moisture content, allowing you to get beautiful, glowing skin.

Why does the skin dry out?

Your skin has a built-in barrier that locks moisture in your cells, which is what maintains the skin’s smooth and supple structure. But here’s the problem—it’s prone to drying out due to the everyday things that you do (e.g. taking a hot shower, staying out in the sun for too long, etc.) and external conditions like extreme cold and windy weather. Some people are also more susceptible to skin dryness due to their age, lifestyle, diet, and the medications that they take.

What happens when your skin lacks moisture?

When your body’s moisture barrier dries out, your skin doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Without proper moisture, the skin may look lackluster, dark, and cracked, and “imperfections” such as fine lines may become more noticeable. Furthermore, when your skin is dehydrated, it loses its ability to bounce back into form when stretched. This is why dry skin tends to look wrinkled and old.

And as counterintuitive as it seems, dry skin can lead to oily skin. This is because, when the skin is dry, it produces excessive sebum (oil) to compensate for the low moisture content. Although some sebum is necessary for maintaining healthy skin, too much can contribute to skin concerns such as acne.

7 Ways to keep your skin healthy and Hydrated

As you can see, dry skin can lead to a slew of issues. Fortunately, if you’ve noticed that your skin feels a bit dry, it is reversible. By following the tips we’ve outlined below, you can boost your skin’s moisture levels and restore its gorgeous, radiant glow:

Drink more water

This is the most straightforward way to hydrate your skin, and while you may think it goes without saying, not everyone drinks enough water. In fact, 75% of adult Americans are actually dehydrated.

Water is an essential part of skincare, so aim to drink 2.7 liters of fluids a day at the minimum. While beverages like tea, coffee, and milk may count towards your daily fluid intake, water is still your best bet. If you find the taste of plain water too boring, consider infusing it with fruits such as blueberries, lemons, and cucumbers.

Avoid taking warm showers

Standing in a warm shower for a long time may feel relaxing, but it can rob your skin of moisture. Experts say that you should try to limit your showers to 10 minutes max, as any longer than that may strip your skin of its natural oils. In addition to that, don’t forget to bathe only warm, lukewarm, or cold water, and to apply only gentle, fragrance-free bath products.

Exfoliate your skin regularly

Over time, dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin and cause dryness. Exfoliating gets rid of this build-up and reveals a smoother, more even-toned complexion by allowing new, younger cells to come to the surface.

There are two types of exfoliants: chemical (such as glycolic acid) and physical (face washes with exfoliating particles). While they both work wonders, a chemical exfoliant may be a better choice if you have sensitive skin. It’s gentler and works by breaking down the “glue” that holds the cells together. Whichever you choose, be careful not to over-exfoliate as this can make your skin drier than it already is.

Moisturize twice a day

Give your skin a much-needed moisture boost with a moisturizer—as the name suggests, this type of skincare product adds moisture to the skin by sealing water inside your cells. It’s able to do this because of the substances it contains, namely humectants (pull water from deep within the skin to the surface) and occlusives (prevent water evaporation). Moisturizers also contain emollients that smoothen and soften the skin’s surface.

As a rule of thumb, apply this moisture-boosting product right after you shower, or when your skin is still slightly damp. That way, the product can properly lock in the moisture from your bath, as opposed to when your skin is already dry.

Protect your skin with SPF sunscreen

Excessive sun exposure can dry out your skin, which makes it necessary to use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. While sunscreen can’t relieve dryness, it can protect your skin from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of dehydration.

Use a face mask weekly

Moisturizers are ideal for day-to-day hydration maintenance, however, once or twice a week, you may want to use a face mask to give your skin a strong surge of moisture. Face masks are formulated with potent concentrations of hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other ingredients, which allows them to deeply hydrate your skin in a shorter amount of time.

Eat foods rich in fatty acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found in foods such as fish, safflower oil, walnuts, poultry, and oils. Not only are these “good-for-you” fats slow down the signs of aging, but they also support the production of oils. This makes them a crucial component in maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier.

Hydrated skin is happy skin!

To maintain your skin’s young-looking glow, make sure to add the pointers we outlined in this post to your skincare routine. That way, you can ensure that your skin always stays hydrated, healthy, and happy.

For more tips on how to look—and feel—like your best self, check out the Lillee Jean Beauty blog.

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