The Importance of Keeping Your Skin Hydrated

Is the bone-chilling temperatures ruining your skin??

Winter air contains low humidity, meaning its carries little to no moisture. This can easily dry out the skin, causing your skin to become less radiant, less smooth and easily irritated.

During cold climates, we are prone to turning up the heat to stay warm indoors; this also plays a role to our skin. Consistent heated air from your heating system picks up dust, pollen and other allergens that can irritate your skin, making it dry and itchy.

Outdoors in the winter can be just as treacherous as indoors in the winter. This is why maintaining the moisture in your skin by devising a winter skin care regimen during the winter is crucial.

Staying hydrated will rejuvenate your skin so it looks and feels smooth and soft. This is due to the fact that the outermost layer of the skin has the moisture it needs to flush away toxins and carry nutrients to the skin’s cells. Skin that is well-hydrated also is less sensitive to irritants and germs that can slip through the lipid barrier when the skin lacks moisture.

Skin that is lacking the hydration it needs often becomes itchy, flaky, red, or even inflamed. Dry skin can even exaggerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles due to shrinkage of skin cells.

More Ways to Keep Your Skin Hydrated In addition to drinking plenty of water (between 6 and 8 glasses a day), there are a few more ways you can help your skin maintain the moisture it needs including:

Use A Moisturizer – Applying a moisturizer to your skin a few minutes after showering or bathing will help your skin absorb lost moisture while your pores are open.

Eat Foods Rich In Essential Fatty Acids – By eating foods rich in essential fatty acids like salmon, olive oil, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, you can help keep your skin healthy and rejuvenated by improving your skin’s hydration levels.

Use Warm Water For Bathing & Showering – You could be robbing your skin of the moisture it needs to be healthy and soft by taking baths and showers in very hot water. By simply lowering the temperature of the water, you can help your skin stay hydrated.

Turn Down The Air-Conditioner & Furnace – Your home could be depleting your skin of the hydration it needs as well. For instance, your air-conditioning during the summer months and your furnace during the winter could be stealing moisture from your skin to leave it dry, itchy, and irritated. The optimal humidity level that promotes healthy skin is between 30 and 50 percent. If need be, turn down your air conditioner and/or heater to help keep your skin moist and supple.