Best Ways to Hydrate Your Skin

Best Ways to Hydrate Your Skin

 

Many conditions can stop you from achieving that perfect skin that you want. Dry skin is one of the most common conditions. Dry skin occurs because your skin is unable to retain enough moisture. This happens because of a number of reasons. It may be as a result of frequent bathing, harsh weather conditions and much more.

Whatever the reason may be, one thing is sure; nobody wants dry skin. It is an uncomfortable skin condition that can cause you to be self-conscious and less confident about your appearance.

This article contains information on the best ways to tackle skin dryness, hydrate your skin and make sure that you are not encouraging the appearance of dry skin.

Symptoms of Dry Skin

Sometimes, dry skin may be a temporary occurrence. It may only occur in the winter. At other times, it may manifest as a lifelong condition. The overall signs of dry skin may be a function of your age, general health, location and weather conditions. Some of the most common symptoms of dry skin include:

  • Rough skin
  • Constant itching
  • Scaling and peeling
  • Severe flaking
  • Cracks and fine lines
  • Grey or ashy looking appearance
  • Redness
  • A tight feeling in your skin, especially after you, finish showering and bathing

Under normal circumstances, dry skin is not classified as a severe health problem. However, if left unchecked it can result in serious health complications such as:

  • Chronic eczema
  • Bleeding from skin fissures
  • Bacterial infection

Causes of Dry Skin

Sometimes, dry skin may be caused by age, hereditary factors and weather conditions. However, some activities which you might be engaging in can cause you to suffer from dry skin. Some of these activities are:

  1. You are bathing too much
    There is such a thing as over-cleansing, and it leads to dry skin. Your skin has a naturally occurring barrier that is made up of water, oil and other moisturizing factors.

Every time you wash your skin with soap, cleansers or body wash, these chemicals strip away all of the skin hydration.

This automatically means that the more you wash your body, the more you are forcing your skin to survive without its natural hydration. You are advised to use oil-based facial cleansers if you already suffer from dry skin. Rinsing off in the showers twice every day is good enough. You don’t have to overdo it.

  1. Your bath water is too hot
    Everybody loves a long, hot, soapy shower. However, the very truth is that your skin cannot handle the constant heat. Heat destroys your body’s natural barriers and hydration. If you expose your skin to hot water continuously, all you are doing is stripping it of the essential oils that moisturize and hydrate it.

The water you shower with should be at an optimum temperature of 84°F. Additionally, keep your showers short; at most, you should spend only ten minutes in the bathroom.

  1. You are using the wrong cleanser
    Sometimes, dry skin may occur because you are using solvents that are disturbing your skin’s natural pH levels. Under normal conditions, your skin is supposed to be slightly acidic. This acidity is what protects your skin from certain bacteria. Some traditional cleansers and soaps have alkaline pH levels that may disrupt your skin’s pH level.

To prevent this from happening, use only cleansers that are pH-balanced to match your skin’s acidity levels. In addition to this, you should try as much as possible to use cleansers that have surfactants that can easily remove dirt and residue without affecting your skin’s outer layer.

  1. You are over exfoliating
    There is no doubt that exfoliating is important if you want to have healthy, radiant skin. However, it can be too much. At most, you should only exfoliate twice a week. If you already have dry skin, then you should keep it down to once every week.

You should pair your exfoliation sessions with moisturizers that are more oil-based. That way you will be able to replenish lost oils and moisture.

  1. You are using the wrong moisturizer
    Just like you change your outfits as the weather changes, it is vital that you change your skincare routine with the weather. During winter, the amount of moisture that is present in the air reduces. This causes the moisture in your skin to evaporate faster leading to peeling, flaking and skin dryness.

We recommend that you swap out your lightweight moisturizers for a thicker ointment. Additionally, you should use products that have cholesterol and fatty acids. This forms a protective barrier over your skin, reducing the rate at which you lose moisture.

  1. You are moisturizing at the wrong time
    Even if you are using the right moisturizer, if you are using it at the wrong time, the results can be ineffective. It is better to use moisturizer when your skin is still wet. This is the best way to make sure that it absorbs all of the product.

After a shower, pat your body down lightly and use a moisturizer. You should also do this every time that you wash your hands over the course of the day.

  1. You are not drinking enough water
    It may sound too easy, but water is the number one tool for skin hydration. Proper hydration by drinking water is essential to keep nutrients and fluids moving through your capillaries. If you don’t make a conscious decision to drink more water, your skin will be dehydrated.

Apart from drinking water, you can hydrate your skin by consuming a diet that consists of healthy fats. Foods such as salmon, algae, and flaxseed contain compounds that improve the ability of your skin to hold moisture.

  1. You are using medication that is drying out your skin
    All medications come with their special bag of side effects. Acne medication like benzoyl peroxide and retinoid dry out your skin as a part of their effective action. Medication that is used for high blood pressure also dries out your skin. If you are not sure about the side effects of any particular drug, you should check with your doctor; it just might be causing skin dryness.
  2. You have other skin conditions
    Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can cause dry skin. Additionally, if you are suffering from illnesses such as thyroid and diabetes, it can dry out your skin. If this is the case, then you should use moisturizers that are created to deal with sensitive skin. Avoid moisturizers that have glycolic acid, retinol, and salicylic acid as they may cause your skin to flare-up.
  3. Genetics
    It’s unfortunate, but some people are born with dry skin. The genetic makeup of their skin makes them more prone to suffering from flaky skin. Sometimes, mutations may occur in the essential proteins that form the skin barrier. If this happens, you will have dry skin. If your skin dryness is brought on by genetic causes, you should use moisturizers that have an essential protein known as ceramides.
  4. You are not wearing gloves in winter
    Wearing gloves during winter protects you from much more than the cold. It protects you from the cold air that may dry out your skin. During winter, your legs and hands are more susceptible to the cold since they are exposed. Alongside a proper moisturizing regimen, you should make sure that your hands are always covered with gloves.

How to Hydrate Your Skin

At Canada MedLaser, we know that different cosmetic procedures can contribute to skin hydration. However, over time we have found that the Aquapure Facial and medical grade products from the Vivier skin care line are great at tackling dry skin. Keep reading to see what we mean.

AquaPure Facial

What is the Aquapure Facial?

The Aquapure Facial can be described as an advanced form of microdermabrasion. It is a nonsurgical facial treatment that has shown effectiveness in deep cleansing the skin and providing the skin with a boost of hydration. It is suitable for all skin types and tones.

The Aquapure Facial has unique exfoliating properties that boost collagen production and enhances skin hydration.

The Aquapure Facial removes dead cells from your skin, making sure that your skin is thoroughly clean. Through a process called the Aquapeel, the Aquapure Facial can stimulate collagen production and increase the circulation of moisture and nutrients within the skin.

Stages of an Aquapure Facial

To tackle skin dryness and rejuvenate your skin, the Aquapure Facial uses a four-stage process. This process includes:

  1. Aquapeel: The Aquapeel stage provides your skin with vital nourishing ingredients such as moisture, vitamins, etc. It is a cleansing stage that prepares your skin for further treatment.
  2. Electroporation: This stage is designed to work with electrical stimulation. Specialized electric pulses are fired at the innermost layers of your skin. This improves the absorbency of your skin including its ability to retain moisture.
  3. Microcurrent: The microcurrent stage stimulates the muscle that is present in the inner layers of your skin. The result is the boosting of collagen production leading to skin tightness and elasticity.
  4. Cooling and Heating: This stage starts with the application of heat energy to your skin. This is immediately followed by the use of cooling power. This is done to provide your skin with optimum relief, comfort and prevent irritation.

Benefits of using the Aquapure Facial:

  • Hydrated skin
  • Thorough deep cleansing of the skin
  • Improved circulation
  • Repairs damaged skin
  • Evens out the skin
  • Tightens the skin
  • Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Provides the skin with a luminous and refreshed glow

Related article: The Essential Canadian Facial: The AquaPure

Vivier Skin Care

If you would prefer to fight the effects of dry skin via skin products, then we would recommend using products from the Vivier Skin Care line. Vivier Skin Care is medical grade and has products that are effective in combating dry skin.

The products in this skincare line are imbued with active ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, etc. With the right concentration and paired with appropriate skin moisturizers, these products can help you get rid of dry skin.

How Does Vivier Skin Care products work?

Over time, we have used these products with different degrees of success. Also, the cosmetic science that is applied to their product is extremely efficient. Products from Vivier work using an innovative tech known as the IntraDermal System. This system increases the efficiency of products and allows them to penetrate deeply into your skin.

Related article: Peel & Vivier Medical Grade Skin Care

Hydrating your Skin with natural remedies

Your skin tries to protect itself from losing moisture by producing sebum. However, activities such as washing with soap can remove this sebum. There are different natural remedies out there that can help your skin to stay moisturized and prevent the loss of moisture as well as natural oils.

When using natural remedies, it is essential to test it out to determine whether it is compatible with your skin. You don’t want to commit to treatment only for it to irritate your skin. Some effective remedies for dry skin are:

  1. Olive oil cleansers
    Olive oil is a terrific natural cleanser and moisturizer. All you have to do is rub the natural oil into your skin and cover the area with a warm, damp washcloth. After about fifteen minutes, wipe away the excess oil and rinse with lukewarm water. Olive oil cleansers soothe the skin and hydrate it without removing your body’s natural oil.
  2. Avocado masks
    Homemade avocado masks are another great way to soothe dry skin. All you have to do is puree an avocado, mix it with a teaspoon of natural olive oil and a tablespoon of natural honey. Once this is done, apply the resultant paste to your skin and leave it for about twenty minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water before using your regular moisturizer.
  3. Oatmeal soak
    Adding a cup of natural oatmeal to your bath water has hydrating effects. Oat itself is naturally soothing, and it increases your skin’s ability to retain moisture.
  4. Oatmeal honey mask
    Exfoliating with an oatmeal honey mask can help hydrate and soothe dry skin. Mix two tablespoons of oats with one tablespoon of honey and add a dash of water. Warm up the resultant mixture and apply it to your skin. Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes before washing off the soothing mask.
  5. Coconut oil
    Coconut oil has natural moisturizing and hydrating qualities. For the best effects, use it to hydrate your skin before bedtime. If you have dry hands and heels, apply a layer of coconut oil and then protect your skin with thick gloves and socks before sleeping.
  6. Add natural oils to your bath
    Natural oils are terrific moisturizers and skin hydration solvents. They help to recreate the protective barrier that prevents your skin from losing moisture. You can add olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba, avocado oils or Argan oil to your bathwater.

All you have to do is add 3-4 tablespoons of your favourite oil to your bathwater, and you are good to go. Additionally, you can also apply a small amount to your skin after showering to keep it moisturized and soft.

  1. Apply Aloe Vera to your skin
    Most people use Aloe Vera as a remedy for sunburns. However, it can also be an effective natural remedy during the dry winter months. Aloe Vera works by relieving skin irritation and redness that is brought on by skin dryness. It is also helpful for acne breakouts as well as decreasing the signs of ageing. Some people are allergic to Aloe Vera. Therefore, it is recommended that you do a patch test before applying it to your body.

Tips to avoid Dry Skin

If you are not suffering from dry skin, there are a few tips that should protect your skin from drying out. They include:

  1. Moisturizing daily: Make moisturizing a core part of your daily routine. Immediately after a bath, lather your skin with moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
  2. Bath properly: As much as possible, avoid hot showers and long baths. You should not stay in the shower for more than ten minutes. Also, using a mild body wash as opposed to a regular bar soap will do your skin wonders.
  3. Avoid using harsh chemicals: Chemicals such as apple cider vinegar and alcohol can cause dry skin. If your skin is susceptible, it can also lead to burns.
  4. Drink lots of water: Increasing your water intake hydrates your skin and moisturizes your skin from within.
  5. Dress appropriately: Let the weather determine your outfit. On hot sunny days, don’t forget to use sunscreen. This protects you from sunburns as well as the damaging effects of UV rays. On cold winter days, protect yourself by wearing thick clothes and gloves.
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