There are very few things worse than flaky and sensitive dry skin. Not only does your skin feel bad, but it also looks bad. This might be caused by skin dehydration.
Before you start reaching for the moisturizer, you need to be sure what is causing your dry skin. Above all, you need to use the proper treatment to make your skin feel and look its best and to be as healthy as possible.
Let’s start by determining whether your skin is dehydrated, or you are merely suffering from the effects of dry skin. They both have many of the same symptoms. However, the treatment varies.
Dry skin is genetic, you can thank your parents and ancestors for that one. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a skin type that you were born with and the way that your skin behaves is mostly due to genetics, makeup, and hormones. Underlying issues can be connected to certain hormonal imbalances.
If you have a thyroid condition, you will most likely also suffer from dry skin. Usually, it can be treated by adding oil-infused products to your skincare regimen.
Dehydrated skin is also caused by external circumstances. Weather and diet are large contributors to the condition. Basically, anything that depletes your skin’s water content is a culprit. Remember, dehydration is caused by a lack of water not oils. In fact, oily skin can become dehydrated as well.
The good news is that dry skin and dehydrated skin can be treated with help from products and services at Greentoes.
Now that we know what dry skin and dehydrated skin are, let’s dive into some telltale signs that you are suffering from dehydrated skin.
Is your skin itchy? After a day outside are you faced with a never-ending need to scratch? This might be a sign of dehydrated skin. Extreme heat or cold temps, wind, and other outside temperatures and climates (like here in Tucson) can suck the moisture from your skin. You will often see flaking of the skin, no matter the amount of oil on your skin.
Is your skin more sensitive than normal? More redness? More itchiness and irritation? If your skin is dehydrated, the skin’s ability to perform essential functions is hampered. Your skin will no longer be able to adequately protect itself and irritants like pollution and bacteria can penetrate its outermost layers.
Does your skin have a dull or tired look? Dehydrated skin affects the way the skin performs essential functions. One of those functions is skin turnover. Skin turnover is the process in which the body removes dead skin cells. If the body cannot do this properly, the skin cells accumulate. As a result, your skin will have clogged pores and a lackluster complexion.
Does your skin look older than it should? Dehydrated skin will often show accelerated signs of aging. Not to be confused with “smile lines” or “crow’s feet”, these will appear as a web of tiny, triangle-shaped fine lines. If you can pinch your cheek and see fine lines there, then more than likely you are suffering from dehydration.
If you are exhibiting these symptoms, then more likely than not, you have dehydrated skin.
How Can Organic Skincare Products Help?
There are simple things that you can try to start with. At the top of this is limiting your coffee and alcohol intake. Both are diuretics that will zap the skin of its water content. On top of that, alcohol hinders the production of hormones that are essential to remaining hydrated.
You do not need to remove their consumption altogether, but moderation is the key. One or two cups of coffee and a glass or two of alcohol will not hurt.
Invest in a humidifier. They add water to the air by using a heating element to evaporate water. The steam is released into the air adding moisture to help those with dry skin.
Avoid harsh face scrubs. Your first thought to remove the dead skin is probably a deep exfoliation. In many cases, it is a no-fail way to brighten the skin and remove dead skin. Yes, a face scrub will do the trick, but the key is what kind of scrub to do.
Do not reach for a gritty scrub. This will not help the situation. Healthy skin can take a month to renew itself naturally, while dehydrated skin can take much longer. Try instead a gentle facial scrub.
Fixing dehydrated skin is not a once and forget solution, you will also need to follow a skincare routine.
Wash with a gentle cleanser and use lukewarm water. Choose cleansers that are free of artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals which serve to strip the skin of moisture. Greentoes has products that are organic and free of harmful additives. Pick products that will remove impurities, hydrate your skin, and above all leave no residue.
Washing your face in lukewarm water is highly recommended. Hot water will only keep your skin dehydrated by robbing it of moisture.
As we said before, go with a gentle exfoliant. At Greentoes we have a line of exfoliants that use natural ingredients and are not too harsh on the skin.
Use a hyaluronic acid serum. Before you start scratching your head about chemicals, let’s shed a little light on this one. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, and it helps to bind and retain moisture leaving your skin soft. It can hold a lot of water and acts as a magnet for moisture.
Greentoes can help you pick out a product with a hyaluronic acid serum that will leave your skin looking and feeling hydrated and healthy.
Above all, protect your skin’s outer layer. It never hurts to drink water, after all, your body needs to stay hydrated.
Take proactive steps to keep your skin’s moisture barrier healthy and intact. Using topical creams sold at Greentoes that lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss will give your skin a hydrated, firmer-looking appearance.
Dehydrated skin can be fixed with the proper steps, and Greentoes is your Tucson facial organic skincare expert. If you think you may have dry or dehydrated skin, book your next appointment today.