How to Combat Dehydrated Skin

Diligent care is necessary for maintaining healthy skin.

Dealing with dry skin can be a hassle for those with both chronic and seasonal afflictions. For those for whom dry skin is a daily fact of life, long term treatment is vital for the skin's continued regeneration and improvement. People with seasonal and/or temporary bouts of dry skin should also strive for long term skin health, although milder, less aggressive treatments should suffice. The following tips will be beneficial to anyone looking to improve the appearance of dehydrated skin.

Things You'll Need

• Natural moisturizers (jojoba, coconut, or sesame)
• Vitamin E and collagen capsules
• Sunscreen (SPF at least 15)

Instructions

1. Drink at least six glasses of water daily while cutting back on coffee, soda and alcohol. The latter three substances are diuretics, which leech water from your skin cells, leaving them less fortified and more susceptible to dehydration.

2. Use only mild skin exfoliants/exfoliant techniques. If you prefer manual exfoliants such as loofahs or body sponges, never scrub your skin roughly and/or too long as this will only irritate dehydrated skin. Face and body scrub exfoliants should be used sparingly and applied with gentle, circular motions.

3. Massage all-natural, therapeutic oils into your skin frequently. The physical massage in conjunction with the oils' healing properties will increase blood flow to the surface of your skin and further hasten skin regeneration, bringing new, softer skin to the surface.

4. Supplement your diet with vitamin E and collagen capsules. Both of these will help your skin's cells hold moisture and elasticity, resulting in healthier, more hydrated skin all over your body.

5. Bathe and/or shower with lukewarm water instead of hot or cold. Hot water robs your skin of its natural moisturizers, and cold water will make your pores less receptive for after-shower moisturizing.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest in all-natural moisturizers, such as coconut, sesame and jojoba oil, rather than skin lotions with an excess of artificial fillers. Natural moisturizers will saturate dehydrated skin more efficiently than more commercial products. Never scratch or otherwise irritate dehydrated skin. Because dry skin is already in a compromised state, further irritation can result in painful tearing or welts.

• Avoid lotions, creams, and skin oils with alcohol as a main or significant ingredient. Alcohol in any form leeches moisture for the skin, especially if the skin is already dehydrated. Be careful not to spend too much time in either extreme cold or extreme heat. Both can wreak havoc on the skin and its ability to repair itself. If you will be outdoors for more than 20 minutes at a time make sure to wear a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. More persistent, severe skin afflictions may require the assistance of prescription strength products. See your dermatologist for more specific information.

Resources

• Purchase high quality skin oils online.
• Skin care forums, definitions, and resources