People often associate dry skin with itching or flaking, but according to skincare experts, dehydrated skin can lead to — and appear in the form of — other common skin issues, including fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and even skin infections. That’s why hydration is touted as a key to maintaining a healthy complexion.
“Hydrated skin typically looks more youthful, plump, and radiant, and it simply feels more comfortable,” says Stacy Grant, esthetician at LifeSpa in Omaha, Neb. “Proper hydration helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, protect against environmental stressors, and prevent issues like dryness, irritation, and premature aging.”
We asked Grant and Heaven Cole, esthetician at LifeSpa in Commerce Charter Township, Mich., to expand on the importance of skin hydration and offer tips for keeping your skin hydrated all year long.
What’s the difference between hydration and moisturization?
Hydration and moisturization are often used synonymously — though they have different meanings.
“If you are in the desert and I hand you a glass of water, are you going to drink it or splash it onto your skin?” poses Grant. “Hydration refers to your body taking in water — drinking it, for example — while moisturization refers to the act of sealing in moisture, which is done with a moisturizer.
“Our skin cells are made up of equal parts oil and water, so when we are lacking that water (hydration), our sebaceous glands work overtime to produce excess oil to compensate for the lack of water,” she explains. “All skin types, including oily skin, have transepidermal water loss, the process of water evaporating from the skin’s surface, specifically through the outermost layer, the stratum corneum. Because of this, we need to hydrate and protect that hydration by sealing it in the skin. If your oil glands are overcompensating, your skin can feel unbalanced, appear flaky, and you might be dealing with pesky breakouts.”
Water intake helps to hydrate all your organs, including your skin. Water is also absorbed by the skin during showers and when you’re cleansing the skin and face. Moisturizers then seal in that hydration, so it is not lost through transepidermal water loss.
What are the benefits of hydrated skin?
Cole emphasizes that hydration is crucial for optimal overall skin health. “When the skin is hydrated, it can lead to improved elasticity, which can make skin appear smoother and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.”
Other benefits of hydrated skin include the following:
- Improved skin texture, which can eliminate the appearance of uneven skin (hydrated skin is naturally plumper).
- Faster healing of skin issues, such as acne or flaking and rough texture caused by dehydration (hydration helps with cell communication and nutrient transport for cells to repair damaged skin).
- A sustained moisture balance within the skin, which helps minimize dryness, dullness, and irritation.
- Fewer breakouts as oil glands produce less oil that can cause blemishes.
What does dehydrated skin look and feel like?
Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition. Signs of dehydration can come and go depending on activities, the season, lifestyle changes, or even the cosmetic or skincare products you’re using.
These are signs that your skin may be dehydrated:
- Tightness
- Roughness
- Itchiness, especially after washing
- Flaking
“If your skin is dehydrated, you may notice small dead skin cells, or flakes, after applying makeup,” says Cole. “You may also notice more pronounced fine lines, especially at the corners of your eyes or on your cheeks. Undereye circles can also be more pronounced, and your skin may have less elasticity.”
“To determine your skin’s hydration levels, perform a simple pinch test at home — we call it the hydration check,” Cole adds. “Squeeze lightly on a small portion of your skin around the cheek area. If the skin doesn’t bounce back after you let go and you notice any wrinkling, your skin is most likely dehydrated.”
5 Tips for Keeping Your Skin Hydrated
1. Drink water.
Ingesting sufficient amounts of water is one of the most important steps for staying hydrated. “Drinking water hydrates from the inside out,” says Grant. “It helps bring nutrients to our skin cells and keep the tissues in the eyes, nose, and mouth moistened. It’s what helps keep our skin looking soft, pump, and supple.”
The National Academy of Medicine, which issues official U.S. nutritional guidelines, recommends men consume 125 ounces of water a day and women consume 91 ounces a day (including water consumed through food sources).
For a more individualized recommendation, Life Time experts advise aiming to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water daily.
“Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol can also help to keep you hydrated,” adds Grant. “Both caffeine and alcohol have diuretic properties, meaning they can increase urine production and lead to greater fluid loss.”
“Water can also be consumed through food sources,” says Cole. “Eating fruits and veggies with high water content, such as cucumbers, melons, pineapple, and celery, can also help you stay hydrated.”
2. Use a moisturizer with vitamin C or antioxidants.
Using a moisturizer helps seal hydration in the skin, preventing transepidermal water loss. A moisturizer with added vitamin C and antioxidants can help your skin stay hydrated along with other benefits.
“A moisturizer with added antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can help shield your skin from free radicals, which can accelerate aging and cause damage to the skin,” says Cole. “Vitamin C can also help revitalize, brighten, smooth, and refine the appearance of your skin as it helps it retain moisture.” (Learn more: “Vitamin C: The Skincare Secret for Summer Sun Damage”)
3. Use sunscreen.
Estheticians often tout the benefits of sunscreen for skin protection — but many may not realize that it’s also a key component for skin hydration.
“SPF provides essential protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays,” Cole says. “UV rays deplete the skin of water, which can cause sunburn and premature aging, and lead to skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, incorporating SPF into your skincare routine helps ensure your skin stays hydrated and protected throughout the day.”
4. Establish a regular skincare routine.
A morning and nighttime skincare routine is essential for keeping your skin healthy. Regularly using moisturizer allows your skin to more easily maintain its hydration.
Grant suggests starting your routine with a gentle, soap-free cleanser — morning and night — followed by moisturizer after each cleansing. In the morning, always apply SPF after your moisturizer.
“If your skin still feels dry after that, a booster lubricant may be needed in addition to your moisturizer, such as a serum with hyaluronic acid. I would apply this before your moisturizer as it acts as a humectant and helps to bind moisture to the skin. It is also beneficial to exfoliate a couple times a week, so your moisturizer doesn’t have to fight through layers of dead skin cells to be effective. Exfoliation can be done either chemically with a product containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids, or through physical exfoliation, such as dermaplaning.”
5. Check in with an esthetician.
Both Grant and Cole recommend meeting with a licensed esthetician who can help you create a skincare system that works best for your skin, your lifestyle, and the climate you live in.
“What you need in November may not be what you need in May,” Grant explains. “This is why it’s important to work with an expert who can help you navigate all the factors that can affect your skin.”
