Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it’s so important to keep it hydrated and moisturized. When you have well hydrated skin your complexion looks plump, healthy and youthful. There are many factors that affect skin hydration:
Skin types
Genetics, hormones, environmental irritants and diet can affect your skin
Age
Healthy hydrated skin contains ceramides, a natural skin moisture barrier. As we age, the production of ceramides decrease. We lose elasticity in the skin, which causes dryness and wrinkles. Hydrated skin will help prevent oily skin, because dehydrated skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Environmental irritants
When the cells get the proper amount of hydration they can flush out environmental toxins effectively. Dehydrated skin is less resilient to environmental irritants. Sweat, heat sun cold and wind can be a challenge for your skin to stay hydrated.
Water
The Canada food guide recommends at least 8 glasses (2 litres) of water a day, or more during hot weather or after exercise. We found a simple way to decide how much water your body needs daily - take your body weight and divide by 20. This will give you the amount of 8oz or 250 ml glasses of water that you need to drink per day. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to increase your fluid intake by 24 to 32 ounces depending on how much you weigh.
Diet
Eat nutrient rich water-based fruits and vegetables such as avocados, bell peppers, berries, cucumber, spinach and kale, kiwi fruit and oranges.
Using the wrong moisturizer
There is a difference in hydration and moisturizing. Dehydrated skin lacks water and needs to be hydrated. Hydration will make skin soft, but with no oil to protect from evaporation the skin will remain dry. Dry skin means the body is not producing lipids cells on its own. The result is dry, itchy and flakey skin with a dull appearance. Dry skin lacks oil and needs to be moisturized.
Hydrators can prevent dry skin, moisturizers help the effects of dry skin.
Carrier Oils
Jojoba, Olive, Avocado, Grape Seed Oil, Coconut, Sweet Almond, Hemp Seed, Argan, Hazelnut, Sunflower Seed, Neem and Cranberry Seed Oils all have various additional benefits for the body aside from moisturizing the skin (or hair), and can also be used on their own. Various essential oils can be added to hydrate the skin, and because most essential oils have antiseptic and antibacterial properties they can clean the skin at the same time. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.
Essential Oils to Aid in Hydration
Sandalwood, Chamomile, Palmarosa, Neroli, Lavender, Rosewood, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, and Geranium
Essential Oils for Moisturizing
Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot