Many skin gurus and influencers focus on skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. They continue to offer tips and even recommend products for these skin issues while avoiding the elephant in the room: skin dehydration. 

For those feeling the effects of dry or dehydrated skin, Dermaclara is here to address your concerns and answer the pressing question: “How to hydrate skin?

What Is Skin Hydration? 

Skin hydration is a routine that aims at hydrating the skin and preventing dehydration. A skin routine that targets hydration invests in humectants and water-based products that improve skin moisture and protect the skin barrier. Proper skin hydration reduces aging, and acne breakouts, as well as improves skin texture and appearance. 

Dehydrated Skin vs. Dry Skin 

The terms "Dehydrated" and "Dry" are often used interchangeably in skincare, even though they mean two different things. To separate the two terms, let's dissect the "dehydrated skin vs dry skin" discourse. A dehydrated skin is a poorly hydrated skin with little to no skin moisture. You can receive dehydrated skin with a hydrating moisturizer like Dermaclara's Clarasome Hyaluronic acid moisturizer, a dermatologically-approved moisturizer that nourishes the skin and heals the skin barrier. 

Dry skin is a skin type that does not produce enough oil and sebum to moisturize and protect the skin. Although genetics is to blame when it comes to dry skin, other external and internal factors can worsen your skin dryness. These factors include age, smoking, poor skin care, and unfavorable environment. Dry skin can be maintained with hydrating and oil-based products that moisturize the skin.

What are the best ways to hydrate skin 

If your goal is to remain ageless or maintain healthy skin, skin hydration is one skin routine that should be taken seriously. To properly hydrate your skin during winter, there are certain steps you must adhere to and certain products you should use. This section explains what works to hydrate the skin and how to keep skin hydrated in winter. Although you will look like a glazed doughnut during winter, the following tips will prevent skin flakiness, irritation, and dehydration;

Drink plenty of water 

As temperature drops during winter, the body utilizes more water and other nutrients to keep functioning. Little to no water consumption causes organ dehydration and forces the body to function poorly. Common symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, increased breakout, dehydration-induced headaches, and dry skin. To keep up with your body's consumption, doctors advise you to drink at least 5 to 8 glasses of water every day. 

Moisturize 

Hydrating and moisturizing are two terms that go hand-in-hand. Hence, moisturizing is the perfect way to promote skin hydration. The best way to hydrate fast is to use heavy moisturizers that contain emollients or occlusives. Emollients are substances that hydrate, smoothen, and fill the skin when applied, and common emollients include linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids. 

Occlusives create a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture and, therefore, hydrating the skin. Occlusives compounds are petrolatum (petroleum jelly, lanolin, and mineral oil. Both compounds are known to worsen acne, so they should be applied with caution. 

Exfoliate Regularly 

Since winter worsens skin irritation and flakiness, exfoliating may seem like a terrible idea. Skin experts recommend exfoliating your skin during winter to get rid of product buildup. However, do not exfoliate irritated or inflamed skin as it can contribute to scars and injuries. If you have sensitive skin, use chemical exfoliating agents like alpha hydroxy acids; they are safer and reduce your chances of injuries. 

Common alpha hydroxy acid exfoliants include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and malic acid. You can also use physical exfoliating agents like salt scrubs, oatmeal scrubs, coffee grounds, and jojoba seeds. Exfoliation should be done once a week as over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier and cause future skin issues.

Sunscreen Is A Must 

If you think sunscreens are mainly for summer, then you thought wrong. Sunscreens should be applied during all seasons, regardless of the temperature. Applying sunscreen is a must as long as you can see the sun or its rays. Dermaclara advises applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above for proper protection. 

You should also follow the two-finger rule that the optimal amount of sunscreen should be two fingers long. You should also spread the sunscreen to your ears and decolletage. As you finish up, apply some sunscreen to your moisturized skin (including hands and any exposed body parts) for full protection. 

Use hydrating skin products 

There is no better way to hydrate your skin than to use hydrating skin products. These products can either be creams, lotions, sprays, or masks. With so many products in the market, choosing the right one for your skin type can be difficult. Moreover, a majority of these products that promise to hydrate fail. The best way to hydrate is to choose a good hydrating skin product. You can do this by simply checking the ingredients.  

Make sure you spot at least one or more humectants. Humectants are substances that attract moisture from the environment and draw them deeper to the skin surface, promoting skin hydration. Humectants can either be natural (like honey, seaweed, algae, and aloe vera) or chemical (hyaluronic acid, hydroxy acids, beta-glucan, and propanediol.) Apply these products daily if they come in lotions, creams, and sprays and weekly if they come in face masks. 

How to keep skin hydrated in winter

Dry skin is prevalent during winter because of low humidity and temperature. It's important to maintain and hydrate your skin during winter to prevent irritation and inflammation. Proper hydration ensures you create a humid environment to assist your skin and prevent frequent dropouts. 

You can do this by investing in humidifiers to maintain a relatively normal humidity level. Also, close doors, windows, or any opening that allows cold air to get into your home. Use moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or other humectants, as they offer more hydration when compared to other kinds of moisturizers.

You can never go wrong with a hydrating face mask during winter, as it is the fastest way to hydrate at home. As its name suggests, a hydrating face mask ensures face hydration and also nourishes the skin to improve texture and appearance. Avoid dehydration clay or bentonite masks as they dehydrate the skin and reduce moisture. Instead, save them for summer.