Defined as the process of causing something to absorb water, ‘Hydration’ is a word that has been in the limelight in recent years. Whether it is for overall health or for your skin, hydration has been highlighted as a key element of being by doctors and experts alike. The importance of water cannot be emphasized enough for several different reasons.
From a scientific lens, the human body is approximately 70% water. It is an indispensable part of us and every organ requires a sufficient amount of water to function properly. Drinking water flushes out the system and hydrates the body as a whole, which applies to the skin as well. The skin tissue needs ample water to achieve its optimal state of being. The skin performs many different important functions in our daily lives – it eliminates toxins, regulates temperature, serves as a source of our sense of touch, and creates a protective shield for our body to protect it from harmful micro-organisms and bacteria present in the environment. Rajat Mathur, Manager – Education, Kiehl’s India shares some vital points on how hydration could be the key to skincare.
When the skin fails to receive the required amount of water, it becomes dehydrated, dry and flaky. The skin in this state is unable to protect itself from irritants available in the environment and small gaps emerge, making the skin barrier weak. Thus, hydration becomes key for not only the appearance of the skin, but also for its overall health.
Dietary factors
Hydration can be achieved in several different ways. Drinking water is important not just for the skin but for holistic wellbeing. Doctors and physicians generally recommend drinking 3 litres of water on a daily basis. Infusing your water with fresh fruits and vegetables for added benefits such as vitamin C from citrus fruits can be a great way to amp up your water intake and enhance your skin’s health simultaneously.
Another way to keep your skin hydrated, which isn’t spoken about enough, lies in what not to do. Caffeine and sugary delights, while they might give instant gratification, are not your best friends when it comes to hydration. They tend to dehydrate the body and end up taking a major toll on the skin’s hydration retention. Being mindful about what goes inside the body is good for overall health as well.
Topical factors
Other ways of ensuring hydration for the skin are topical in nature. For starters, avoiding extreme temperatures, especially hot, when dealing with your skin is a must. Extreme temperatures can eradicate the skin’s barrier and harm it. Lukewarm water is the way to go. What also helps is using a humidifier to keep the air levels around you balanced and clean.
Environmental factors
It is imperative to identify the environmental conditions around you and adjust the hydration you are providing your skin. For instance, increasing hydrating products in the routine can be key during dry winter months. In the summertime, our bodies lose more hydration and levelling up your water intake is essential. Regardless of the weather conditions, wearing a sunscreen every single day is a must. Sun exposure is extremely harmful to the skin and its hydration level and a good sunscreen must be included in the daily skincare routine to keep your skin’s health intact.
Skincare factors
Finally, hydration can come from certain specific skincare ingredients as well. For instance, hyaluronic acid is essential for moisturising and keeping the suppleness of your skin. The water-binding properties of hyaluronic acid aid to renew your skin while also preventing early indications of ageing. Likewise, glycerine is another ingredient with moisturizing properties. It attracts moisture from the surroundings to the skin’s surface. Adding such hydrating products to the skincare regime is a great way to achieve your dream skin.
Skin health and hydration is connected to holistic wellness and is a process that works both inside and out. When integrated both into the body and on the skin, hydration can be a gift that keeps on giving.
