10 Effective Ways To Hydrate Your Skin

"The finest clothing made is a person's own skin..." and I couldn't agree more with this quote by the eminent American author Mark Twain. In fact, the first thing that people notice about us is our skin and its texture. A healthy and glowing skin never goes unnoticed. However, with aging, the skin loses its usual thickness and the oil glands become feeble. These conditions can make the skin fragile, wrinkled and damage prone. But the most common problem is dehydration. Dehydration dries out the skin making it flaky and causing skin irritation and rashes. Thus, it is very important to keep our skin properly hydrated to combat skin problems and dryness. A well-hydrated skin is a sign of healthy skin. And when our skin is healthy, it can efficiently protect us from bacteria, harmful UV rays, harsh weather conditions and other adversities. So here are some easy tips to keep your tender skin hydrated and healthy.

1. Scrub & Exfoliate

We all know the benefits of scrubbing and exfoliation which helps in removing the dead skin cells. Dehydrated skin results in piling up of dead cells on the upper layer of the skin. Consequently, these dead cells take away the moisture and glow from the skin rendering it dull and flaky. Hence a proper scrubbing and exfoliating routine is important to fight against dryness and dehydration. Exfoliation causes the transition of younger cells from below the skin's surface to the upper layers. These younger cells in turn bring essential moisture and lipids to the topmost layer of the skin thus keeping it hydrated and glowing. Always choose an appropriate face scrub based on your skin type and its requirements.

2. Mask It Up!

Hydrating facial masks are very important for treating dehydrated skin. The moisture and water from the masks seep deep into the skin leaving it soft and nourished. Hydrating masks add radiance to your skin and makes it look youthful and radiant by restoring the lost moisture. You can conjure up your very own hydrating mask at home. Honey is well known for its natural moisturizing property. It can be mixed with oatmeal to make an excellent hydrating pack. You can also make a honey and banana mask with a dash of coconut oil.

3. Opt For Mild Soaps & Body Washes

One of the most common moisture robbing elements is harsh soaps. The supermarket shelves are flooded with a large variety of soaps and body washes. But beware! Not all of them are skin friendly products. We often get attracted by the fragrance of the soap and purchase it without even reading the ingredients list. Don't fall for this scented trap. In reality, the soaps with a strong fragrance are the ones to stay away from as they are high in harmful chemical content. These chemicals can rob your skin of its natural moisture and make them feel tensed and parched after every shower. It is always advisable to use mild, lightly scented soaps or fragrance-free soaps which do not dry out the skin. Consult a dermatologist or ask your family physician to recommend a gentle, fragrance-free soap for healthy and hydrated skin.

4. Cut Down On Long Steamy Showers

Blissful prolonged steamy showers definitely soothe your senses but does not exactly benefit your skin. The hot showers can actually dry out your skin by stealing away its natural moisture. So the longer you hang around in the smoky showers, the more you stand a risk of dehydrating your skin. Tone down the steaming shower temperature to lukewarm and get done with your bath swiftly. This will not only be good for your skin but will also save you a lot of water!

5. Keep Body Lotions & Creams Handy

Body lotions and moisturizing creams can work wonders for dry, chapped and flaky skin. Applying lotion after a bath is an absolute must as it helps in retaining water and moisture keeping your skin hydrated and radiant. In fact, body creams and facial moisturizers play a double role. On one hand, they help in locking the moisture deep in the skin thus maintaining the softness and glow of your skin. On the other hand, it shields your skin from the heat, pollution and harsh wind, etc. Avoid lotions and creams which are heavily perfumed and tinted as they contain harsh chemicals which can irritate the skin. Look for mildly scented, non-oil based moisturizers which are skin friendly and efficiently hydrates your skin.

6. Grease It Up With Good Old Coconut Oil

Another key element that helps in hydrating your skin is coconut oil. Often commercial creams and lotions contain petroleum based elements which are very dense and heavy in nature that can suffocate your skin. In contrast, coconut oil sinks deep into your skin, moistures it efficiently and makes it soft and smooth. Unlike commercial creams which are either loaded with water or petroleum by-products, coconut oil is absolutely natural and low in artificial water content. An oily substance called sebum helps in adding moisture to the skin and keeps it hydrated for a longer period of time. It also protects the skin from dirt and pollution as it traps them in, keeping the skin clean. But watch out for artificially refined ones! Opt only the organic ones as they are purer.

7. Make Veggies & Fruits Your New Munchies

If you want a hydrated glowing skin, the old saying which says "you are what you eat" could never be so relevant and correct. No matter how much you apply creams and lotions, beautiful skin starts only with proper nourishment from within. Including lots of green veggies and fruits in your daily diet is the only way to keep your skin healthy from within. They are the only source that supplies essential nutrients needed for the rapid renewal and growth of cells. Vegetables and fruits of various colours have different nutritional values. Beta carotene found in pumpkin, carrot and papaya is vital for the development of skin cells and maintains the healthy glow. Strawberry, oranges, amla, lemon, sweet potato, kiwi fruits, etc. are high in Vitamin C and important anti-oxidants which lends a healthy inner radiance to your skin and improves the immune system. Tomato contains lycopene which plays a significant role in fighting free radicals, skin damage due to sun, etc. On the other hand, cucumber, watermelon and spinach contain a lot of water which also helps in keeping the skin hydrated from inside. So toss these colourful veggies and fruits in your salad bowl and relish them with some tasty garnishing and let your skin do the talking.

8. Gulp It Down For Inner Hydration

Drinking minimum 2-3 litres of water per day is absolutely essential. Water helps in flushing out the body toxins and wastes which are responsible for pimples and dull skin, thus keeping it clean and healthy. Not consuming enough water can lead to dry and flaky skin with wrinkles and roughness. If drinking regular water sounds like a mundane affair, you can always zest it up with some lemon slices or prepare your own healthy iced tea.

9. Dump The Junk Food In The Junkyard

Fast foods do no good to you except for tickling your taste buds from time to time. Mouth watering pizzas are nothing but empty calories. Junk food contains high amount of sodium. As a result, they tend to draw a lot of water from your body, thus making it dehydrated. Foods to watch out for are fries, canned food, pickles, etc.

10. Avoid Sugar Drinks

Sugary drinks like fizzy colas, commercial energy drinks, over sweetened coffees and teas can also cause skin dehydration because every time you consume them your brain receives the signal that your body is thirsty. Hence, it draws out water from the cells making the skin lose its radiance and moisture. Cutting down your cravings for these yummy junk foods is not easy and takes time. Incorporate more nutritional items into your daily diet and gradually your taste bud will get used to the taste of healthiness!

These are a few simple ways which can help you hydrate your skin and look prettier with each passing day. Stay healthy & feel beautiful!

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Contributed By: Meghna Kar