Dehydrated skin, what is it? plus 9 ways to fix it!

A lot of us can tell when our skin is dry - is tight and it doesn't look fresh- but if your skin is not normally like this, it can be confusing...I mean, how can your skin be dry when your skin type is oily? or normal? 

It is not because our skin type has changed, rather it is a symptom of a condition: Dehydration. 

If you are experiencing skin that looks rough or dull, that is flaky, that feels itchy and that is more sensitive than normal you might have dehydrated skin, even if your skin type is not dry, because that is the difference, dry skin is a skin type and dehydrated skin is a condition, so you can treat a skin condition and improve it,  but when you are born with a certain skin type  you just have to learn how to deal with it and which skin care products best  fit this type of skin.

And although dehydration can be noticed in our appearance, it is also  a sign of a bigger problem, it's not only our skin that is in need of water and hydration, but our whole body. Our skin, as our largest organ is trying to give us a warning sign that things are not working properly, and when dealing with this condition, we must remember that taking care of it, will not only be of benefit to our outer self, but our complete well being. 

So how can we help ourselves ?

1. Seal that moisture in

Dehydrated skin needs hydration, which comes in a few different forms, the simplest one is when you make wudhu and the water is on your skin, but if you just let that hydration on your skin, it will evaporate and your skin will be back to feeling dry right away, so we need  a way to keep it in our skin as long as possible.

So, whether it's plain or water, or using a moisturizing facial spray or toner, then you want to apply something that creates a barrier, it can be a facial oil or cream. This way you seal the hydration in your skin, and this simple habit can make a world of a difference, 

2. Hydrate from within

This is the oldest rule in the book, and rightfully so, no matter how many creams and lotions and sprays you apply on your skin if there is not an internal healing going on is very hard for your skin to restore itself, so drink it up, and make a commitment to introduce fruits and vegetables that have a high water content like : cucumbers, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, watermelon, spinach, strawberries, grapefruit and carrots. 

3.Add moisture to the air

It is wonderful to have the heat going strong in the winter, but not so much waking up with dry skin because of how these heating systems can dry out the air in your home, so a humidifier can help to bring some of that moisture back so that your skin can stay fresh and vibrant all year round.  

4.Extra moisture overnight

Some of the heavier creams and natural moisturizers can feel too oily for everyday use, but in the night you can take full advantage of all of their properties to soothe, hydrate and restore your complexion. The Face cream, combined with the Rose and Aloe facial spritz are a wonderful duo to lock in the moisture and bring your skin back to a natural, glowing state.

5.Exfoliate

If our skin is not properly hydrated, it will not be able to shed those dead cells in time, and you will end up with a blockage to the moisture that is needed, so by exfoliating with a mild cleansing scrub  can keep your skin clear and ready to soak all that hydration right up!

6.Avoid harsh soaps

Soaps are just too harsh for the delicate skin on your face, as well as cleansers that contain drying ingredients like alcohol, glycolic or salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, so kick those out of your skin care routine as soon as possible! They will prevent your skin from going back to a balanced state and can cause long term problems. 

7.Supplement!

Finding a vitamin supplement can help your body function better, and in turn, help your skin heal from the inside out. Fish oil is a great supplement for the health of the skin, and if you feel like your diet is not as healthy as it could be, a supplement can give you a boost of nutrients that could be missing from your body. 

8.Oil cleanse!

And while we are on the topic of avoiding harsh soaps, giving the Oil Cleaning Method a try is a great way to restore your skin! The OCM is really simple, the hardest part is finding the right oil for your skin, but as a general suggestion, almond oil is a great oil to start with, and after that all you need is a soft facial cloth and some water, sounds pretty easy, right? IT IS! just apply the oil on your face, (amount depends on if you are wearing makeup or not) massage it for about 30 seconds and remove with a warm facial cloth (this also feels very relaxing!) If you are wearing heavy makeup, you might want to repeat the process again. (more on the oil cleansing method in a future post)

 9. Be patient!

Taking care of your skin in a holistic way may take more time than getting a cream that is full of silicones and gives you a temporary feeling of hydration, but in the long run it is the best method to sustaining a balanced and healthy complexion. Have patience and be kind to yourself and your body!