When we think about keeping our skin hydrated, the first thing, and maybe the only thing that hits us is – Drink water & use a good moisturiser.

But that’s not enough.

If your skin is missing the proper nutrients, it will never look as hydrated as it should or could be. Hence, you require a proper skincare regime for keeping your skin hydrated and most importantly healthy. With a regular skincare routine using organic skincare products and a few DIY home remedies that include dietary changes too, you can keep your skin soft and supple throughout the year.

Let’s find out how!

#1 Pat-dry your skin after cleansing, always

Do not dry your skin completely after washing your face. Let it retain the moisture as you pat-dry and make sure it is still damp when you apply the moisturiser. How does it help? It allows your skin to pull the water in and keep the skin soft. For a moisturiser, choose from the range of skincare products made from natural ingredients and avoid any noxious chemicals on your skin.

Expert tips: Leave water on the skin and let it dry on its own. Apply the cream or lotion while it’s still damp.

#2 Rebuff hot showers, strictly a No! No!

They don’t really help. Thinking that taking a hot bath will nullify dehydration is wrong. Dermatologists say that hot baths encourage water to flow off the skin instead of letting it soak in. It aggravates dry skin conditions making your skin worse. All those years you have been wondering why you still have dry skin even after so many hot showers and popular moisturisers, night cream, etc. Well now you have the answer. Stop now, and start improving your skin’s condition.

Expert tips: Go for organic skincare products like body washes or shower gels that draw in moisture onto the skin and lock it within.

#3 Exfoliate weekly, without fail

A periodic sloughing off the dead cells on your skin can really be a great remedy for your dehydrated skin. But remember – do it only once, or twice at the most! Frequent exfoliation leads to damage and increased dryness & itchy skin. When choosing your skincare product for exfoliation, go for something that has natural dead-skin removers like orange peel, avocado seed, olive oil, etc. Also, choose a product that has lactic acid along with the organic components for best results.

Expert tips: Use an exfoliating face mask for best results, and for the rest of your body, opt for body scrub containing organic ingredients

#4 Add a hydrating sheet mask to your product list, today

Increase water content on your skin by applying a sheet mask, ideally once or twice a week. For the right balance of water and nutrients in your skin, the sheet mask is essential. Of course, other skincare routines must be followed using products made of natural ingredients to help prevent skin damage. Go for sheet masks that contain ingredients such as green tea, vitamin A, Oat extracts, etc for quick and durable results.

Expert tips: Cleanse your face before using the sheet mask, and don’t go beyond 15-20 minutes as this can have a reverse effect.

#5 Eat foods that are rich in antioxidant content, every day

Speaking of skincare products, we talk very little about food items we choose in our regular diet. Choice of food isn’t only about getting slimmer or losing weight or keeping your blood sugar in check. Healthy eating directly impacts your skin. And when we say ‘healthy eating’ for skincare, we mean foods rich in ‘antioxidants and hydration’. It helps increase the total water content in the body. To name a few – beetroot, spinach, mushrooms, pears, etc, and all other greens and veggies that you add to your diet based on the availability in your native region are great for your skin.

Expert tips: To help those greens do their work nice and fast, drink plenty of water.

#6 Kick those dehydrating foods and drinks, right now

A poor diet and excessive alcohol intake can ruin your skin. Did you know that? The so-called ‘fast-food’ items are sources of high sodium and sugar content, contributing to dehydration. And as a result the skin – looks dull, dry, shallow, and patchy. It also speeds up the skin’s-aging process, yes, true it is! So, sadly, you must shun those junk food items if you are really looking to make your skin look and feel better and keep it hydrated and plump all the time.

Expert tips: Avoid coffee, and processed and packaged foods. If you have no option, make sure you balance it with some veggies and H2O.

#7 Add some healthy fats to your diet, fat isn’t always bad

You need healthy fats to act as building blocks of your skin cells. They add a protective barrier over skin cells preventing damage caused by the outside environment, mainly pollution. A very hard component to come by but extremely beneficial is Omega 3 fatty acid. Salmon, mackerel and nuts, seeds, olive oil, etc are the greatest sources of Omega 3. Whether you like it or not, add them to your diet to witness extraordinary results. Your skin will remain moist and hydrated without having to put in much effort.

Expert tips: Do you love chocolate? Indulge in dark chocolate and get benefit from the fatty acid present in cocoa

#8 Revamp your make-up routine, give it a lift

If you have to wear make-up every day for professional reasons, lean towards products that add to your skincare regime. Go for containing moisturising benefits – like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, etc. Use water-based make-up products so it not only beautifies your skin but also acts as a skin nourisher. Choose make-up products containing sunscreen protection so alongside hydration you can protect your skin from sunburns and harmful UV rays. Give your skin that oomph it needs with wisely chosen make-up products.

Expert tips: Purchase make-up products that contains Aloe Vera, olive oil, Shea butter, honey, avocado, etc as key components and can retain moisture.

 

#9 Use oils instead of creams or moisturisers and choose organic

You can pick from an assortment of oils present in a range of organic skincare products and use any of them as a skin moisturiser. Swap your cream with oil today for the best results. Fighting with dull and dehydrated skin? Make it better with essential oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, etc. Massage the oil to let your skin absorb the moisture. Get freshly hydrated skin using oils – These oils also work as a natural scrub for your skin. So, apart from keeping your skin hydrated, they also nourish in many ways and give you glowing skin, throughout the year.

Expert tips: You can leave it on your skin overnight and rinse thoroughly in the shower the next morning.

#10 Replace your regular face mask with Aloe Vera gel, natural is better

What you need here are just one or two aloe leaves. Take out the gel-like element as you thinly peel off the outer skin of the leaves. Mash the gel nicely on your palm and apply it to the face as a mask. Do it while the gel is still fresh. And, the wonder happens in just 15 minutes. Leave the mask on for 12-15 minutes and wash off with water as it dries up. You’ll instantly feel your skin lifted, hydrated and plump. Do this twice a week for an amazing change in your dehydrated skin. Aloe Vera is one of the magical organic skincare products to contribute to healthy skin treatments in several ways.

Expert tips: Store the aloe gel that you take out fresh from the leaves in an air-tight container, store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, no more than that.

 

The Verdict

What sums up your skincare routine for hydrated skin is – healthy eating, correct choice of skincare products (preferably organic), water-based make-up, antioxidant-rich food, less caffeine, more water and a dark chocolate treat now and then, and of course the inclusion of healthy fats in the diet.

But, just one more thing to add here in the list, which you must follow. Get enough sleep – that’s what you require the most when it comes to having hydrated, healthy, naturally glowing skin. If you truly love your skin and want to retain all the moisture naturally, going to bed too late at night is a total ‘no-no’. Get your sleep to help your skin heal.