Hydration is an important step to keeping healthy and beautiful skin. So we think of hydrating it from the outside but also the inside thanks to food. Here are 10 tips to avoid tightness, redness, and itching, the characteristic symptoms of dry skin.
1-Drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day
We can never repeat it enough: consuming enough water aids to hydrate the skin of the whole body! The suggested minimum quantity is 1.5 liters of water per day.
But the water needs must be increased in hot weather, during physical activity, in the event of breastfeeding, and in the event of illness because the losses are greater. The ideal would be to drink 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day. Pick mineral-rich waters.
2-Stock up on water-rich foods
Internal hydration goes through the consumption of water but also through the consumption of foods that contain a lot of it. The foods richest in water are fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
It is consequently advisable to consume it regularly to feed your skin. Among the fruits most prosperous in water, we encounter watermelon, grapefruit, lemon, and also tomato. On the vegetable side, bet on cucumber, green salad, and radish.
Don’t forget the dairy products! Know that a glass of semi-skimmed milk consists of 90% water and a pot of plain yogurt contains more than 80% water.
If you like cheese, opt for fresh cheeses (fresh goat cheese, ricotta, Philadelphia-type spreadable cheese), which are very rich in water.
3-Apply moisturizer morning and evening
Is your internal hydration at the top? That’s right, but also recognize to keep your exterior water supply. The hydration of your skin (face and body) must be every day.
Integrate into your beauty ritual the application of a moisturizer in the morning and evening after cleansing your skin. This protects the epidermis against external aggressions, slows down skin aging and of course prevents the skin from drying out and all the discomfort it generates (tightness, tingling, redness, etc.).
4-Apply a richer treatment at night
In the evening, before going to bed, it is a good idea to apply a richer moisturizer to your skin than the one you apply in the morning.
At night, the skin is more receptive to the active ingredients applied to it and regenerates more than during the day. It is therefore the perfect time to feed it with clear night care that is naturally heavier and richer with operational ingredients because the epidermis interests them in plenty of quantities.
From the age of 25, involve a night cream every night before going to bed for hydrated and nourished skin as soon as you wake up.
5-Use a suitable treatment on the fragile areas of the face
Some areas of the face and body are more fragile than others because the skin is thinner there. They require special attention. We think of the eye contour, lips, neck, and décolleté. In the evening, gently massage the contour of your eyes with vegetable oil (sweet almond, apricot kernel, etc.).
To take care of your lips and keep them permanently hydrated, always carry a moisturizing lipstick enriched with butter or vegetable oil.
When you apply your moisturizer on the face, whether in the morning or in the evening, remember to go all the way to the neck and décolletage.
6-Cleanse your skin with a suitable hygiene product
Moisturizing your skin is good. But preparing it to receive moisturizing care is better! Skin can only absorb external moisturizing active ingredients if it is cleansed beforehand. Wash your face twice a day, morning and evening, with a mild cleanser suitable for your skin type.
7-Exfoliate your skin regularly
Exfoliating the skin gets rid of the dead cells present on the surface of the epidermis and unclogs the pores. This gesture is essential to refine the skin texture, give more radiance to the complexion and allow moisturizers to penetrate the skin well afterward.
A facial scrub is recommended once or twice a week for oily skin. Sensitive skin can limit itself to a facial scrub every two weeks and favor softer, grain-free exfoliating products.
8-Pamper your skin with masks
Just like cleansing and exfoliation, the mask is an essential step in the beauty routine. The moisturizing face mask allows you to intensely nourish the skin because it is very rich in good active ingredients which rest on the face for several minutes.
In addition, the mask rids the skin of imperfections, unclogs pores, and regulates sebum production (responsible for oily skin). The application of the mask is done on cleansed, cleansed, and exfoliated skin for optimal results. It usually needs to sit for 10-15 minutes. Just like the exfoliation, choose a moisturizing mask adapted to your skin type.
9-Betting on the right moisturizing ingredients
Vegetable oils and butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, mineral salts, and vitamins are the star ingredients for optimal skin hydration.
A fan of “homemade” treatments? Bet on coconut oil, aloe vera gel, or even jojoba oil for your skincare recipes and moisturizing masks (these ingredients are often found in many moisturizing cosmetic treatments).
Regarding the choice of your skincare products, favor those that contain glycerin, known for its strong moisturizing power, just like collagen. If you want to go further and have an anti-wrinkle solution in addition to being moisturizing, favor products that contain hyaluronic acid.
Finally, products containing urea are recommended for dry and sensitive skin because this molecule absorbs and retains water well.
10-Avoid skin dehydration factors
The lack of water and moisturizers is not the only cause of dry skin. Indeed, external factors can be the cause of skin dehydration: cold, pollution, UV rays, stress, fatigue, tobacco, anti-acne treatments or even the use of cosmetic products that are too aggressive or not suitable for your skin type.
This is why dermatologists recommend applying a richer moisturizer in winter to reduce the harmful effects of cold and wind on your skin.
In summer, if you go out in the sun, always apply sun protection with a high factor (at least 30). Sleep and stress can also affect the appearance of your skin.
Sleep enough (at least 7/8 hours a night) to keep your skin healthy and don’t let stress set in because it is very harmful to the skin. And if you smoke, it’s time to quit, your skin will be even more beautiful.
Finally, always seek advice from a specialist (dermatologist, beautician) before buying products for your skin. Each type of skin has its own care ritual!
Photo: Pexels/ANTONI SHKRABA
