The skin when it’s optimized and supple will usually contain around 20% percent of water, but when it becomes dehydrated, the same skin can actually drop below 12% percent. There also happens to be quite a few who currently have dehydrated skin, but think nothing of it, assuming that their skin type is just naturally dry.
Dehydration of the body is the end result of a significant loss of vital fluids due to sweating or other factors, and the water is not properly replaced. Having dry skin however is primarily caused by lower than usual levels of sebum oil.
Dehydrated skin can also usually lead to signs of premature aging eventually leading to wrinkles, and if it’s not treated properly, it has the potential of causing some health conditions internally as well as externally.
So in order to counteract the effects of dehydration, you should be aware of how the skin can actually become dehydrated in the first place, and how you can restore the skins natural essential balance. Dehydrated skin will usuallly appear reddish, flaky, and at times rough and scaly.
This skin condition can occur for a variety of reasons, all of which can cause a direct imbalance in the skin’s pH balance, as well as the reduction in the skin’s ability to be able to retain moisture. There is also a visible reduction in how the skin’s protective barrier functions.
When your dehydrated skin begins to lose its ability to hold onto moisture properly, it will then directly affect the flow of nutrients and fluids within the cells which are in the inside layers of the skin. Eventually, if this condition is not treated properly, these cells can can become damaged.
There are a few key factors which should be noted, that can eventually lead to dehydration. One includes the continuous exposure to harsh uncontrollable environmental factors such as dry heat, cold blowing wind, exposure to the sun, and toxins as well as pollutants.
The chemicals which are found in household cleaning products along with cheap synthetic-based skincare products, are also contributors to the dehydration of the skin.
Contributors For Dehydrated Skin Include:
• Stressful situations
• Lack of proper sleep
• Excess smoking
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Poor nutritional diets and eating habits
• Chronic illness, and
• Usage of certain types of medication
Also, the skin will naturally dehydrate if you fail to drink enough water. Your age is also an obviously important contributor to how well hydrated your skin appears.
Each one of these factors will directly affect the chemistry and makeup of the skin, and plays a vital role in moisture loss, making the skin actually look a lot older than it actually is.
Steps To Replenishing Your Skin
There are a few steps however that you can take which will rehydrate as well as replenish your skin and body.
Therapeutic Spa Sessions To Address Dehydrated Skin
Spa treatments are an excellent way to replenishing dry or dehydrated skin at any time of the year. These treatments provide anti-aging benefits for both the face as well as the body, offering benefits which also addresses basic topical skin care concerns, derived from internal dehydration.
There are a variety of therapies which you are able to choose from.
Customized Spa Facials:
Most of the spas offer customized facials which can be designed towards addressing your specific skin type, as well as your specific skincare concerns.
After your brief consultation, the proper products which can assist in repairing as well as re-balancing your skin should be determined. So make sure that you speak with your spa professional to find out if they’re able to provide the specific facial which you require to target your dehydrated or dry skin type.
You should then be able to maintain the results of the spa facial treatment at home by using a quality anti-aging serum, a dehydration mask, as well as an enriching moisturizer into your skincare regimen.
Spa Body Wrap:
Spa body wraps can be extremely effective in addressing certain skin tones which are uneven in texture, has poor moisture levels or dry flaky skin which can be direct symptoms of dehydration.
A spa body wrap is generally placed on the body for around 30 minutes or so. The wrapping is necessary to seal in as well as preserving your body heat. This process helps the active ingredients to penetrate deeper in the skin as well as providing essential nutrients, which promotes skin nourishment along with re-hydration.
Soothing Massages:
To fight the natural skin dehydration process, massages can be extremely effective. It’s essential however that the proper products are used. Massages usually can use a combination of therapeutic grade plant based oils as well as other essential oils which are able to restore moisture onto the surface of the skin while providing the needed nourishment during the colder months when the skin is exposed to the elements. Massages can also be extremely helpful in healing flaky chapped skin as well.
There are a lot of products which are available on the market which are high in water content. Using such products on the skin however are not that effective for replenishing dehydrated skin.
This is because rather than the water penetrating the skin, it will just usually evaporate, leaving the skin even more imbalanced. So use products which has the ability to be absorbed into the skin and thus replenishes the outside layers, while simultaneously retaining the vital moisture should ensure the proper treatment of dehydration.
Ingredients To Use For Dry Dehydrated Skin
There are certain ingredients which you should be looking for when selecting products to use on your skin that’s become damaged because of dehydration.
Vitamin C:
When the skin becomes dehydrated, its natural ability to be able to protect itself from further damage is usually affected. Vitamin C is an exceptionally powerful anti-oxidant which assists in repairing the skin from damage which is caused by free radicals. Vitamin C can also help in the removal of accumulated dead skin cells and damaged skin, while actively improving the skin’s overall texture.
Use products which contains a good quality of stable natural Vitamin C, such as magnesium phosphate for gaining maximum benefits.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E happens to be an excellent moisturizer as well as an anti-oxidant. Vitamin E also helps in restoring moisture, thus improving the skin’s natural barrier protection.
Natural Enzymes:
Using natural enzymes such as the papaya fruit works by gently “peeling” away dry or dead skin cells off the surface. This then clears the way for newer healthier cells to be able to grow, which will protect the skin better.
Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic Acid is known for its ability to be able to provide the skin with much needed moisture. Hyaluronic acid is regarded as an excellent substance for improving as well as maintaining proper skin hydration while improving overall cellular function.
Some will actually describe hyaluronic acid as a natural molecule which can stop and at times even reverse the aging process. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold water in the body along with acting as a lubricant, which aides in the erasing of facial aging and wrinkles.
Fresh Seaweed:
Seaweed is an absolutely amazing natural ingredient for skincare. Each of the different seaweed species contains their own unique range of healthy active ingredients. They all however contain the essential minerals and vitamins which are able to restore the skin’s balance while replenishing dehydrated skin. Other ingredients in Seaweed which helps in preventing dehydration while renewing the skin includes: natural carrier oils, pure essential oils and herbal extracts.
Home Skincare Tips
Follow these basic steps for home skincare to keep your skin as young, hydrated and healthy as possible.
• Avoid using face or body soaps as well as cleansers which are created with harsh chemical based detergents such as sodium laurel sulfate
• Exfoliate just once or two times per week if your skin happens to be dehydrated or prone to irritation
• Avoid prolonged exposure to interior air conditioners and heaters
• Make sure that you always replenish your skin with adequate amounts of fluids, especially after you exercise
• On a daily basis, use a concentrated facial serum which is designed to address dry as well as dehydrated skin
• Incorporate foods which contain high amounts of water as well as nutrients such as organic fruits and vegetables in your daily diet
Avoid those products which are created with high amounts of chemically based synthetic ingredients, as they can irritate as well as dry out the skin. You should be properly caring for and replenishing your dehydrated skin by drinking lots of water, “juicing” fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and by integrating proper nutritional habits into your daily life. You should also be taking supplements such as essential fatty acids, like fish oil, which will also help in replenishing your skin internally by providing the needed additional lubrication.