Ageing is a natural process, but premature ageing isn’t. You might think “oh, I am good to go! I can’t age prematurely in my 20’s.” Lucky you, if it’s true!
But hey, you can be mistaken. Look into the mirror carefully and do you see those very fine lines against your lips and eyes? And the exaggerated dark circles which you never thought were there!
And now ask yourself, do I drink enough water? Do I moisturise my skin regularly?
Now, if the answer is no, it's time to start taking action and understanding how dehydrated skin can cause the skin to age prematurely. Simultaneously, it is equally crucial to know how you can prevent this skin condition.
Don’t worry! We are here all the way to help you get that supple, smooth and radiant skin back. Just keep reading!
How dehydrated skin causes premature ageing?
Dehydrated skin, as discussed above, lacks water. This lack of moisture makes skin lose elasticity owing to less collagen production.
A well hydrated skin is plumpy, elastic and radiant. The texture of such skin is quite smooth and supple. However, in the case of dehydrated skin, the conditions are quite the opposite.
In a thirsty skin, the loose texture of the skin gives rise to wrinkles and fine lines and make them prominent even more. This is because of friction due to lack of lubrication (hydration) among tissues. This further gives the skin a dull and rough appearance.
How to know if you have dehydrated skin?
It can be very confusing to know if you have dry or dehydrated skin. Well, it's not that complicated. Here’s a simple trick to determine your skin condition.
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Choose an area of skin, maybe the back of your hand or on your cheek. Now pinch that area of the skin and lightly squeeze it, holding it for a few seconds.
- Now notice if your skin bounces back immediately, your skin is less likely to be dehydrated. But if it takes a little longer to settle and get back in shape, it signifies dehydration.
Interestingly, in the case of dry skin, there is a scaly, flaky and rough texture. Dry skin particularly lacks natural oils that impart moisture to the skin.
Important- Dry skin is the skin type and not the condition. On the contrary, dehydrated skin is a skin condition that can affect any skin type- oily, dry, normal or even combination.
Signs of dehydrated skin
Our body reflects when it is in discomfort. So does our skin. If it happens to be dehydrated (low on water and moisture), these signs manifest to signal you to take care and replenish the hydration
- darker under-eye circles
- sunken eyes
- itchiness
- dullness
- exaggerated wrinkles
- fine lines
- “shadows” around the nose and cheeks
- Uneasiness and tightness
Skin care mistakes that cause dehydrated skin
Basically, dehydration refers to the fact that the body is losing more water that it is retaining in. And there can be numerous reasons for this skin condition apart from not drinking enough water.
Sometimes wrong/poor skin care habits can also lead to dehydrated skin. The most important and common ones are listed below.
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Washing face too often or using harsh cleansers
Face cleansing is the first and foremost step towards healthy skin care. But mind it, excess of everything is bad. As per dermatologists, an ideal frequency of washing your face is twice a day.
Washing your face too often and that too with harsh cleansers (containing SLS and Parabens) can really strip off natural oils from your skin. This can ultimately result in a dehydrated skin. So always opt for a gentle, mild and non comedogenic face wash.
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Daily exfoliation
Dead skin cells obviously hinder the radiant, smooth and supple skin. And exfoliation (scrubbing) is the right solution to get rid of those skin cells. There are two types of exfoliators available in the market; physical and chemical.
The excessive or say, regular usage of chemical and physical exfoliators tend to be harsh on the skin and can not only give you rashes but also break skin’s protective barrier. This eventually allows transepidermal water loss. Hence, the skin has a high probability of being dehydrated.
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Not using moisturiser
Keeping up with a moisturisation routine restores ceramide in skin tissues and gives you a plumpy, hydrated and radiant skin. It can also prevent the chances of premature ageing.
It is also important to understand that you should always pick up moisturiser that suits your skin type.
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Taking hot showers
And in case you have eczema or any other dry skin condition, hot showers can worsen it.
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Skipping sunscreen
This is why using sunscreens and sunblocks must be a 365 day ritual. Go for a broad spectrum sunscreen with high SPF and PA rating.
8 Easy ways to keep skin hydrated and youthful
P.S.
Indulging in a good skin care routine is very important to have healthy and firm skin. That skin care comes from natural and scientific products helping to keep your skin beautiful and healthy in its very natural form. So, always and always look out for the ingredients before adding the products to your skin care cabinet. The more aware your choices and decisions are, the better they are reflected in your skin.
So, keep yourself hydrated and have a happy skin care journey!
