Hydration is referred to as the amount of water, found in something. Our skin needs proper hydration to be smooth, healthy and plumper. Any irregularity or imbalance in skin fluid balance de-hydrates skin making it tight, dull and flaky. A de-hydrated skin not only looks lusterless but also suffers premature aging and is more harmed by the environmental skin foes. The causes of skin de-hydration may be listed as follows:
1. Low fluid intake
2. Aging and resultant skin water imbalance.
3. Excessive sweating
4. Excessive sun exposure
5. Excessive exposure to low humid conditions or cold, dry winds.
6. Excessive air-conditioning or use of room heaters
7. Excessive alcohol intake
8. Excessive intake of caffeinated beverages
9. Smoking
10. Declining levels of estrogen
11. Stress
12. Eating a diet deficient in essential fatty acids.
13. Vitamin deficiencies
14. Skin issues like eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.
15. Over-cleansing
16. Use of drying skin care products like toner, bar soaps etc.
A de-hydrated or moisture deprived skin can improve with moisturization. Thus we all must include moisturization in everyday skin care routine. There is a misconception that oily skin requires no moisturizing. The truth is that oily skin like all other skin types needs moisture. Actually oily skin falls short of moisture. This causes the oil glands to work harder and secrete more oil which imparts shine to the skin, but does not necessarily hydrate it. The skin on our cheeks, forehead, chest, elbow, thighs, legs and sides of stomach are most susceptible to de-hydration.
Home Remedies
1. Washing with mineral water instead of tap water soothes the symptoms of de-hydration.
2. Lubricate with vegetable oils like peanut oil or sunflower. This acts as a moisture lock for your body.
3. Soak in a tub of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. This home remedies for skin hydration brings back the lost moisture in to skin.
4. Massage petroleum jelly on your body. This alleviates parched skin.
5. Grind 2-5 tablespoons of raw peanut; blend with milk and one-fourth teaspoon honey. Apply the mixture on body. Rinse with cold water once it dries up. This re-hydrates body.
6. Massage mineral oil on body. This battles skin de-hydration aptly.
7. Add 2 cups of powdered colloidal oatmeal to a tub of lukewarm water and soak yourself for 30 minutes. This hydrates skin sufficiently.
8. Application of a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey on body restores skin water balance.
9. Apply cucumber juice on body. This supplies water to your skin and also makes it fresh.
10. Blend 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon avocado pulp. Apply the mixture on skin and keep for 20 minutes. This replenishes the lost skin oils.
11. An almond oil massage treats de-hydration effectively.
12. Grate 2-3 apples, apply on body and keep for 20 minutes. Later rinse of with cold water. The potassium and tannin in apple sufficiently hydrates your body.
13. Mix 1 teaspoon each of egg yolk, honey and powdered milk. Apply the mixture on skin. Rinse with cold water after 20 minutes. This heals de-hydrated skin.
14. Snap a leaf of Aloe Vera and apply the sap on skin. This hydrates skin effectively.
15. Do not bathe too much, for it will rob your body of the natural oils.
16. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. This will hydrate your system and it will show on your skin.
17. Use a humidifier to reduce the symptoms of skin de-hydration.
Read more Home Remedies for Skin Hydration. Also know useful Home Remedies for Gallstones.