A whole series of factors can be the cause of dehydration of your skin , such as cold, wind, UV rays, tobacco, alcohol, stress, medication treatments or even certain cosmetic products that are too aggressive. Contrary to popular belief, whatever your skin type ( dry skin, combination skin, oily skin ), it can present a problem of dehydration and result in discomfort on the face. However, our epidermis has an essential function: it plays the role of a skin barrier and allows us to counter external aggressions. It therefore seems essential to hydrate it, from the inside as well as the outside, to protect yourself.
How do we know if our skin is dehydrated?
For many, dehydrated skin equates to dry skin . However, oily skin can experience the inconveniences of dehydrated skin just like combination skin . But how do you differentiate dry skin from dehydrated skin ?
Skin dehydration is a punctual, temporary condition which results in a feeling of discomfort, tightness, marked lines, a dull and lackluster complexion. The skin is thirsty and lacks water . It can accentuate skin problems such as acne and accelerate skin aging but can easily be treated with appropriate care and a good water intake. On the contrary, dry skin is a constituent condition that will remain as it is throughout your life: thin skin , barely visible pores and sebaceous glands that secrete little sebum. It results in areas of dryness and flaking and increased lipid needs. The needs are therefore not the same for dehydrated skin and dry skin and therefore neither are the treatments.
An external routine
Applying a cream morning and evening is essential to avoid tightness and provide a barrier against the external aggressions encountered on a daily basis. Indeed, good skin hydration will help strengthen the skin 's hydrolipidic film and therefore slow down water loss through the layers of the epidermis . Of course, you must choose a moisturizer adapted to your skin type in order to nourish it properly. You must also take the time to free your face from impurities accumulated throughout the day to avoid clogging pores and creating spots and thus to promote the penetration of treatments. Beware of too frequent and intense cleansing which can contribute to dehydration and drying of the skin . Gentle, short washes, with a cleansing oil or milk, are recommended. Finally, exfoliation is essential since it rids the skin of dead cells, frees pores and accelerates cell renewal. Even with all the good will in the world, hydrating the skin with creams and treatments may not be enough. In this case, you have to think about feeding it differently.
An internal routine
Using treatments adapted to your skin type is essential but is not enough to enhance it. Yes, diet has a direct impact on the quality of our skin , so beautiful skin requires above all an excellent quality diet. In fact, each cell in our body needs nutrients that come from the foods we eat daily. Without sufficient intake, the skin is no longer able to retain the water it contains and ends up drying out and looking bad. Moisturizing your skin from the inside is both a well-being and a beauty gesture. This is why we must pay extra attention to what we put on our plate and opt for a varied and balanced diet, rich in micronutrients. Here are some tips to apply daily to repair dehydrated skin :
- We drink as regularly as possible: the surface of the skin is covered by an emulsion of water and fat which forms a hydrolipidic film. It forms a protective barrier and contributes to the suppleness and prevention of dehydration of the skin . If this physiological barrier is altered, water loss accelerates and thus makes the skin dry and dehydrated. Hydrate yourself sufficiently to support your skin : drinking between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day is ideal to allow your hydrolipidic film to renew itself. Vary between spring water , mineral water and tap water .
- We opt for foods rich in water: a diet based on fruits, vegetables but also dairy products turns out to be rich in water , much more than that based on proteins and starchy foods. So to hydrate your skin from the inside, turn to these foods made up of more than 80% water : cucumber, salad, zucchini, tomato, watermelon, melon, berries, citrus fruits, apple, grapes and dairy products. For the most part, their richness in vitamins and minerals also allows them to deeply nourish the epidermis .
- We favor good fats: essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6, provide suppleness and elasticity to the skin and help reduce skin inflammation. The best sources of good fats are avocado, fatty fish (salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel), nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts), and vegetable oils (rapeseed, flax, olive, etc.) not heated.
- We choose foods rich in vitamins: vitamins C and E have antioxidant properties which allow them to protect the skin from harmful agents and accelerate healing by ridding the body of accumulated toxins. They also stimulate the production of collagen and thus increase the elasticity and suppleness of the skin , notably maintaining skin hydration . So stock up on vitamins C and E. You will find vitamin E in avocados, dried fruits, seeds, almonds, hazelnuts and vegetable oils. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers, kale and even broccoli.
- We consume foods rich in carotenoids: carotenoids contribute to good hydration and elasticity of the skin , and often contain provitamin A, which promotes cell renewal. They are found in carrots, melon, tomatoes, parsley, lamb's lettuce, watercress, watermelon, spinach and even kale.
- We opt for food supplements: food supplements are effective in acting quickly on skin dehydration by rehydrating your epidermis . They promote the reconstruction of the hydrolipidic film and thus allow the skin to be healthy, supple, plump and luminous. In addition to a healthy diet, they can be a very good solution when your skin is damaged and care does nothing.
- We avoid excess alcohol, sugar and fat: for optimal hydration , we must especially limit inflammatory foods as much as possible. A diet high in sugar and fat can deteriorate skin quality. It will irritate the intestinal walls and trigger an inflammatory reaction in the body with direct consequences on the condition of your skin . Avoid excess alcohol, sugary drinks, meat or cold meats, milk or cheese, and processed or industrial products.
Shall we summarize? To achieve nourished, firm and luminous skin , choose foods rich in water and nutrients and add them to your daily diet. You will see benefits on your skin much faster than you think.
