You may not be drinking enough water for your skin
Studies suggest that chronic dehydration can accelerate the aging process, including signs of aging on the skin. If you struggle with dry skin, wrinkles, loss of facial volume and other symptoms associated with skin aging, rehydrating your skin is the first step to getting a healthy, youthful-looking complexion.
THE LINK BETWEEN DRY SKIN AND AGING
We know that dry skin accentuates signs of skin aging like lines and wrinkles, as less water retention contributes to less facial volume. Thus, lines, wrinkles and skin laxity are more noticeable on dry, dehydrated skin.
Additionally, dry skin is often also an indication of dehydration throughout the body, which can contribute to accelerated aging of all of the body’s organs, including its largest – the skin.
HOW TO COMBAT DRY SKIN AND WRINKLES
While there is a genetic component to dry skin, here are ways to improve your skin’s hydration:
Drink plenty of water. Hydrating the skin starts from the inside out. It’s also important to make sure your body is getting enough water to perform daily functions properly and keep your skin looking healthy and glowing.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates your body, including your skin. This is why most people wake up the day after drinking with a dull, lackluster complexion. If you are going to indulge in a drink or two, be sure to drink water in between.
AAUse a barrier repair moisturizer. Barrier repair moisturizers like Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer and Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer and EpiCeram (requires a prescription) help the skin to replenish and repair its natural skin barrier so that it is able to retain water.
A good barrier repair moisturizer should contain a 1:1:1 ratio of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol to mimic the skin’s natural barrier components. Look on the label for “MLE technology” or “PSL technology.”
BOTTOM LINE ON HYDRATING YOUR SKIN
Dry skin is a sign of dehydration throughout the body and is one of the four barriers to skin health. The right skincare routine – including a good barrier repair moisturizer – and drinking enough water and avoiding excess alcohol and caffeine can help to reverse dry skin and maintain a healthy, youthful-looking complexion.