Moist, plump, and smooth skin – who doesn’t want to have it? Hydration is an important way to replenish the body with needed fluids, not just for the different body processes, but also for overall health.  

The skin, for one, needs hydration, and it’s time to do more than just drink water. Hydration is important for the skin’s elasticity and smooth texture. Without adequate water intake, the skin may appear duller, with wrinkles and pores more prominent.  

Having a dehydrated skincare routine can help prevent dry, dull, and wrinkle-prone skin. But first, how does dry skin happen?  

Dehydrated and Dry Skin 

The skin is the largest organ in the body. Cutaneous water content plays an imperative role in skin functions, including its envelope and barrier functions. When the skin is dehydrated due to lack of water intake, the skin may appear dull and dry. Even young people can develop fine lines, blemishes, and wrinkles.  

Skin health is linked to hydration. Scientists have found that people with low daily water intake are more likely to develop dry skin. Hence, drinking more water can positively impact skin health.  

The most common causes of dry skin include extreme temperatures, over-exfoliation, harsh skin products, aggressive cleansers, air conditioning, and lack of water intake.  

Dehydrated Skin Care Routine  

Severely dry skin may not be that serious, but it’s uncomfortable and frustrating. It can also contribute to other skin conditions, including itching, wrinkle formation, flakiness, eczema, and psoriasis.  

When you treat dry skin, you can cut the risk of developing another skin condition. Good thing, here are dermatologists’ guides to salvage stubborn, dry skin.  

  1. Use a Gentle Cleanser 

While cleaning dirt and excess oil is essential, some cleansers are harsh on the skin. These strips the skin of its essential oils that make it smooth and moist. Harsh cleansing agents also allow micro-cracks to form in the top layer of the skin, which can lead to redness, cracking, drying, and even eczema.  

Always look at the ingredients of the products you use since some may cause transepidermal water loss. For instance, if you’re using too many alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), it can lead to dry skin. Avoid using products with chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and glycolic acid.  

  1. Invest in a Humidifier 

One of the most common causes of dry skin is dry air. Humidifiers help control the environment of the home, particularly in rooms you spend the most time in. Your skin will absorb hydration naturally, relieving dry skin.  

Using a humidifier during the cold season, between December and February in the Philippines can help prevent dry skin. This is particularly applicable to residents living in areas with low humidity.  

  1. Avoid Very Long and Hot Showers 

Bathing for long hours with extremely warm or hot showers can eradicate the skin’s natural barrier, which may cause loss of moisture and necessary oils. Make sure your bath water is lukewarm, which is ideal for better and healthier skin.  

  1. Drink Adequate Water Throughout the Day 

Make sure you hydrate not just externally, but internally as well. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Also, prevent drinks that can make you urinate a lot, including those that contain caffeine. Drinking these often may cause dehydration.  

  1. Use Skin Hydrating Products 

Three types of hydrating ingredients should be incorporated into your skincare regimen – emollients, humectants, and occlusives.  

  • Emollients – Emollients act as a skin barrier, leading to an overall improvement in the skin’s appearance and texture. These are applied directly to the skin for hydration. Also, emollients help hydrate the skin by covering it with a protective film to trap moisture. Some of the most popular ones include ceramides, fatty acids, and squalene.  

  • Humectants – Humectants are substances that attract water from deeper into the skin. Some examples are glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Humectants are mainly found in many skincare products, such as moisturizers, lotions, creams, and even dermal fillers, such as the Visaglow Hyaluronic Acid filler. 

  • Occlusives – Occlusives are waxes and oils that provide a layer on the skin. As a result, transepidermal water loss, which involves evaporation of water from the skin, is prevented.  

  1. Use Moisturizers 

Moisturize the skin to prevent it from becoming dry, regardless of your skin type. Make sure to choose the right moisturizer for your skin type. Go with products that contain moisturizing agents such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, pro-retinol, and vitamin E.  

Apart from these, night oils are also popular as skin moisturizers. For instance, the Nourishing Night Oil enriched with vitamin E provides the needed ingredients to hydrate the skin and make sure moisture stays. NNO also contains jojoba oil, which acts as an occlusive moisturizer to improve skin moisture, smoothness, suppleness, and elasticity.  

  1. Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen 

Excessive exposure to the skin can lead not only to dry or dehydrated skin but also to skin damage. Free radicals from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin barrier, leading to irritated and dry skin. Always use sunscreen even if you stay indoors.  

  1. Exfoliate Weekly 

Exfoliation is important to remove dead skin cells. After exfoliation, the skin will be more efficient in absorbing moisturizers and hydration products you apply to the skin.  

  1. Always Visit a Dermatologist 

Visiting a dermatologist can help in identifying the causes of your dry skin. Some of the underlying causes include a medical condition like kidney disease, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis, your food intake, age, and medications you take.  

Also, the dermatologist will prescribe the skincare products to moisturize and hydrate the skin, making sure these best fit your skin type and needs.  

  1. Eat a Balanced Diet  

In taking care of the skin, eating a balanced and healthy diet can help no matter what skin condition there is. Consuming more fruits and vegetables will provide the needed vitamins for healthier, more radiant, and young-looking skin. 

Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy 

Staying healthy if you’re hydrated is not only applicable to the body’s internal environment. Always remember that the skin is the body’s external barrier. If it’s dry, it’s more prone to cracks and wounds that make it easier for microorganisms to enter and cause illness.  

These dehydrated skincare routine tricks will help both men and women achieve moisturized and hydrated skin.  

Article Reviewed by Dr. Zharlah G. Flores, MD, FPDS