5 Easy Ways to Treat Dehydrated Skin
As Autumn takes us into winter, the change in climate can wreak havoc on your skin! Think crisp mornings, cranking up the heating, long hot showers and more time spent indoors. The result? Skin can become dry, red and itchy due to the dry indoor air and cold outdoor air. These symptoms indicate dehydrated skin – the seasonal winter changes can literally suck the water and oils from the skin! Winter weather can also trigger some skin problems such as dermatitis, rosacea and psoriasis.
In winter, we need to find ways for the skin to absorb and lock in moisture. Taking a look at your lifestyle and choosing the right skincare products is vital. In this blog, we highlight 5 easy ways to treat dehydrated skin so you can glow whatever the weather!
Is Your Skin Dehydrated or Dry?
While we often bundle dehydrated and dry into the same broad category, there is a vital difference between the two when it comes to your skin.
Dehydrated skin is considered a skin condition. It is a skin that has lost its ability to retain water because of an impaired acid mantle (the skin barrier), and you may experience these symptoms:
- itchiness
- dullness
- increased sensitivity
- darker under-eye circles
- An increase in the appearance of fine lines and surface wrinkles
Dehydrated skin is treatable with lifestyle changes and a good skincare routine.
Dry skin, on the other hand, is a skin type. You are usually born with a skin type, although it can change with age, season or health conditions. If you have dry skin, your sebaceous glands don’t produce enough natural oils. The signs of this common skin type include:
- scaly skin
- white flakes
- redness
- irritation
Dry skin can be relieved and protected using specific skincare products and addressing any internal issues that may be exacerbating the condition.
With this in mind, let’s discover 5 easy ways to treat dehydrated skin as we head into the cooler months.
5 Tips for Dehydrated Skin
Tip 1: Turn down the heat
Winter can be harsh on the skin. Cold, dry air can cause the skin to become parched and irritated. In addition, cold air tightens pores, reduces sebum production and slows down circulation. All these factors increase the likelihood of dehydrated skin.
In our bid to stay warm, the heaters go on. However, indoor heating sucks moisture from the air and dries the skin. Do you notice how much better your skin looks on a sweaty summer day? That’s because the more moisture in the air, the less water will evaporate from your skin. A humidifier during the winter months can help to offset the dryness.
While it can be tempting to warm up under a super hot shower every day, the hot water strips your skin of its natural oils. This leaves it dry and irritated. Make it a lukewarm shower, and don’t stay under there for too long! Blot (don’t rub) the skin dry with a towel and apply your skincare products asap. Making the most of the humid conditions will help your skin keep moisture locked in!
Tip 2: Get Plenty of Sleep
Lack of sleep can play havoc on your skin. Your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you sleep to wake to a healthy, radiant glow. Too little sleep and your complexion can look dull and lifeless. Not to mention the dark circles under your eyes! When we sleep, the body can rebalance hydration levels by producing extra perspiration on the skin. pH levels are increased, and collagen production is boosted when we sleep, improving elasticity and promoting hydration.
So, how do we ensure a better night’s sleep? Life is busy, but it’s important to get to bed at a reasonable time – no more burning the midnight oil! Turn off the devices well before bedtime – the blue hue can impact the brain’s ability to wind down. Have a regular bedtime schedule and try a relaxing pre-bedtime routine, including a warm bath with essential oils such as lavender or cedarwood. Take regular exercise and make sure your bedroom is a calm, comfortable environment to induce sleep.
Along with nutrition and exercise, sleep truly is one of the essential pillars of good health, and our bodies simply cannot function at an optimal level without it. So, put sleep back on your list of priorities and wake up to a healthier, happier you!
Tip 3: Protect your Skin Barrier
If you want healthy skin, a healthy skin barrier is paramount.
The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is a specialised layer that protects the body from the harsh aspects of our environment; UV, pollution, toxic chemicals, and infection, to name a few.
The lipid matrix holds this outermost layer of skin cells, composed of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids. The skin barrier is often described as the bricks and mortar, which acts as a security guard for your skin, preventing potential problems from passing through. If this barrier is weakened or damaged, irritants can penetrate, and skin becomes sensitive, leading to a whole host of skin issues.
One of the essential functions of the skin barrier is to protect it from trans-epidermal water loss. As this term suggests, it locks in moisture to keep skin soft, supple and firm. When the skin barrier is damaged, the quick water loss leaves the skin feeling tight and dehydrated. As a result, skin can suddenly become irritated, red and inflamed.
Winter can weaken the skin barrier making it more sensitive, so ditch the foaming cleansers and go as natural as possible.
Use a gentle, milky cleanser such as GERnetic’s Glyco and to remove superficial dead skin cells, try our remineralising Cleansing Gel a couple of times a week.
Tip 4: Nourish Your Body
It’s no secret that beautiful skin starts from within!
While external skincare products are essential for hydrating and protecting the skin, a healthy diet rich in essential fatty acids can nurture skin from the inside. Staying hydrated in winter is also paramount! Of course, we don’t feel as thirsty in winter as in Summer, and endless cups of coffee and tea to keep us warm can be highly dehydrating due to the caffeine. If 2 litres of cold water don’t tempt you, why not try sipping on warm water in a mug or go with green tea and herbals. Eating water-rich veggies and fruits can also help increase your intake (think celery, watermelon etc.).
Your lifestyle choices have a significant impact on the look and feel of your skin. So, reduce your alcohol intake, stop smoking, exercise regularly and sleep well to reap the benefits. Your skin is the mirror of your health.
Tip 5: Choose the Right Skincare Products for Dehydrated Skin
Last but not least, you must choose the right products for dehydrated skin.
GERnétic is well known for creating products that enhance the skin’s immunity and ability to regenerate. But, more significantly, GERnétic has been at the forefront in protecting the sensitive skin barrier’s important role and the crucial aspect of nurturing this thin film layer.
With a range of innovative, powerful skincare products, tackling dehydration is one of the many skin concerns GERnétic excels in.
From gentle cleansers and natural exfoliators to nourishing moisturisers, masks and serums, you can layer an array of products that will rebalance your skin’s moisture and keep dehydrated skin at bay.
Two stand out products to treat dehydration are on promotion this May and June – let’s take a closer look:
CELLS LIFE SERUM
If you’re not yet using a serum, winter is the perfect time to introduce one! Serums contain smaller molecules than traditional moisturisers, so they are even more effective at hydrating the skin. In addition, they deliver nutrients more deeply and intensely for optimum results.
Cells Life Serum is a concentrated blend of essential proteins, peptides, amino acids and Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid, in particular, boosts the skin’s ability to retain moisture, deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin from the inside out. The Serum visibly reduces fine lines and increases collagen and elastin production, leaving skin replenished and radiant. It is the perfect product for dehydrated skin.
HYDRA GER MASK
Applying a mask once a week takes cleansing to a whole new level. It also allows your skin to absorb your products more deeply and effectively.
GERnétic’s Hydra GER mask is a beautiful winter-loving mask. This mask works at a deep level, allowing the basal cells to preserve their moisture. In addition, the active ingredients in this nourishing mask encourage the binding of water molecules! As a result, the skin is left hydrated all winter long!
IN-SALON TREATMENTS
Winter is the perfect time to invest in some skin care treatments. A regular facial combats dull winter skin by sloughing off the dead skin, cleansing and hydrating it so that your everyday skincare routine can work its magic! Enjoy a GERnétic facial at a Salon near you today and discover all that GERnétic has to offer!
So, don’t let winter get the better of you! Now is the time to lay the foundations for radiant and healthy skin that will last all year. Your skin can look and feel amazing with just a few well-thought-out lifestyle tweaks and skincare products that really work! Dehydrated skin can indeed be a thing of the past 🙂
For all your Anti-Ageing, Rejuvenating Skincare solutions, visit a Salon Near You