How To Tell If Your Skin Is Hydrated

As we enter the warmer seasons, you might notice subtle differences in your skin’s level of moisture and texture. Winter’s cold temperatures and harsh winds can remove essential moisture from the epidermis, leaving skin dull and flaky. It’s important to keep your skin thoroughly hydrated year round for a fresh-faced appearance and healthy glow. Here are a few ways to tell if your skin is properly hydrated or not:

Itchy Skin

If you feel an overwhelming need to scratch your face, your skin is probably not hydrated. Extreme temperatures and external elements, such as heavy winds, can zap the moisture from your face, causing an irritating itchy sensation. Treat your skin with all natural skincare products to beat the itch.

Super Sensitivity

Besides itching, your skin can feel an increased sensitivity if it is dry and dehydrated. To avoid increased irritation, use gentle skincare products that do not include any harsh additives or fragrances.

Dull and Flaky Skin

Examine your skin in the mirror. Does it give off a dull, tired appearance, or include dark circles and flakes? These are definite signs of dehydration. To rid your face of the flake, opt for a natural and gentle exfoliation.

Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Gently take your cheeks between your fingers and pinch. If it looks like you have fine lines, your skin is dehydrated. Examine your eyes for fine lines too, and your forehead for flaking. All natural anti-wrinkle serums are a simple solution for this problem.

A combination of a healthy skincare routine and healthy lifestyle choices, such as drinking plenty of water, eating organic foods, and getting some shut-eye, will help your skin replenish itself naturally.

Most people equate dehydrated skin with dry skin and while symptoms overlap, there is a difference in their indicators and treatment. The difference is that dry skin lacks oils and dehydrated skin lacks moisture. Causes of skin dehydration can range from soaps to sun exposure to diet to cosmetics.

What Dehydrated Skin Looks Like

The top layer of our skin is made up of keratinocytes designed to keep moisture in. However, when this barrier breaks down, it lets in moisture stripping irritants leading to dehydration. Unlike dry skin, which feels irritated, tight, and itchy, dehydrated skin produces these signs:

Dullness
Sensitivity
Breakouts
Itchiness
Tightness
Flakiness
Simultaneous dryness and oiliness

Want to know how to tell if your skin is hydrated? Perform a simple pinch test. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and if it snaps back immediately, your skin is well-hydrated. If it takes a few seconds and drops back slowly, your skin is thirsty.

Treating Thirsty Skin

Now that you understand how to know if your skin is dehydrated, you need to know how to treat it. Remember that hydrating your skin means replenishing lost water, not replacing oils. This means carefully choosing the right skin care products. You can begin by understanding the difference between hydrators and moisturizers. Hydrators add water to your skin and moisturizers keep the water from evaporating. Always apply hydrators before applying moisturizers. Serums containing Hyaluronic Acid are great for keeping skin hydrated as are serums containing vitamin C. In addition to using proper skin care products, drink plenty of water, avoid excess sun exposure, and eat lots of moisture-rich fruits and veggies.

Final Tip

To ensure proper skin hydration, never go bare. Apply moisturizing lotions right after showering and hydrating serums right after facial cleansing. Find the best hydration by browsing the full line of products at Timeless Skin Care.