lady using hydrating skincare

How To Hydrate Skin

All the information you need to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, as well as the early signs and causes of dehydrated skin.

What are the causes and signs of dehydrated skin?

Your skin can become dehydrated for a number of reasons and knowing why will help you to understand how to rehydrate skin. To start with, your skin has a barrier that helps to lock in moisture. If this is damaged, your skin will struggle to retain its moisture, causing dehydration. This can be a problem for people with all different types of skin, even oily skin.Damage to your skin's natural moisture barrier can be caused by; 

How to hydrate skin

What are the causes and signs of dehydrated skin?

  • Extreme temperatures - Extreme temperatures, whether it be hot or cold, can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier. While you may not always be able to avoid extreme temperatures, keeping exposure to a minimum will help to keep your skin hydrated. Try wrapping up with a wooly scarf in the Winter, and seek shade in the Summer to help protect your skin.
  • Overly abrasive exfoliation - Overly exfoliating can result in damage to your skin's natural moisture barrier. This is particularly damaging when harsh, abrasive products are used. Learn how to exfoliate to avoid this.
  • Aggressive cleansers - Products with caustic ingredients will damage your skin and affect its ability to retain moisture. Learning how to cleanse your face can help to avoid dehydrated skin. 
  • Air conditioning  - Air conditioning units reduce the amount of humidity in the air. This lack of humidity can damage your skin's moisture barrier and cause it to become dehydrated.

 

 

lady touching the dehydrated skin on her shoulder
woman hydrating her skin with towel on her head

When do I need to rehydrate my skin?

Knowing when to rehydrate skin is just as important as knowing how to hydrate skin. Here are a few signs of dehydrated skin;

  • Dull looking skin
  • Increased appearance of wrinkles and lines
  • Eyes appearing puffy
  • Skin feeling sensitive and tight, sometimes itchy
  • Skin feeling dry and rough

Don’t panic! Damage to your skin’s natural moisture barrier can be treated. With our advice and hydrating skincare products, you’ll have healthy, flawless skin in no time.

 
Learn how to hydrate skin

What are the benefits of learning how to hydrate skin?

It’s no secret that when your skin feels good, you feel good - and knowing how to hydrate skin keeps your skin feeling better, for longer. Using hydrating skincare products and having a routine that maintains your skin's moisture, provides a range of benefits; 

Improved appearance - Having hydrated skin helps to improve its elasticity. This means that it has the ability to stretch and return to its original form. As a result, hydrated skin appears more plump and youthful. Lines and wrinkles often emerge when your skin is dehydrated, and so knowing how to rehydrate skin can prevent these signs of aging. A lack of hydration can also cause build-up of dead skin cells, making your skin appear dull. However, rehydration can re-establish a vibrant and glowing appearance. 

Balanced oil levels - Although it seems counter-intuitive, dehydrated skin can still be oily. Your body produces more oil if it detects low levels of moisture in the skin, and therefore, dehydrated skin can actually become excessively oily. This can also have an affect on the severity of acne, for people who suffer with it. As a result, using hydrating skincare products help to balance the skin’s oil levels and prevent spots and acne aggravation.

Less itchy and sensitive skin - If your skin is dehydrated, it can become itchy and overly sensitive. However, hydrating skincare products rebuild the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making your skin less itchy and less sensitive. 


In order to reap the rewards of hydrated skin, it is important to understand how to hydrate skin. 
 

How to hydrate skin

Figuring out how to hydrate skin can be difficult. Here are six tips on how to hydrate skin, and keep it hydrated.
woman with hydrated skin and wearing towel on head

1) Hot showers have to go!
There are very few things better than a nice hot shower. We understand how easy it can be to stand in a cosy shower for hours. However, the hot water can damage your skin and cause dehydration. Understanding more about effective shower routines will help to keep your skin hydrated.

We suggest mild showers (warm enough for you to still enjoy of course), to avoid damage and dehydration. Try using the NIVEA Caring Shower Cream Star Fruit & Monoi Oil, for a silky, soft skin feeling.


2) Water! Water! Water!
Water is essential for keeping your body hydrated and functional, and it’s the same for your skin. The more water you consume, the more hydrated your skin will feel. This is because the skin’s moisture barrier works better when it is hydrated. 

We suggest drinking between 1.2-1.5 litres of water a day - and maybe adding lemon or ginger to spice it up.


3) Watch what you eat
Your diet can have a significant impact on your skin, which is important when figuring out how to hydrate skin. Eating oily foods will inevitably cause your skin to react in the same way. On the other hand, some foods can help to improve your skin and keep it hydrated. Fish, such as salmon and tuna, are rich in fatty acids which are important in strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Other alternatives, such as walnuts, provide the same fatty acids. Fruit and vegetables are also bursting with hydration, so make sure you're getting your five a day.

Our tip on how to hydrate skin would be to maintain a diet rich in fish, or other alternatives, fruits and vegetables. As a result, your body will be fully equipped to hydrate skin. 
 
woman sitting down hydrating skin

4) Avoid abrasive cleansers 
Abrasive cleansers can damage the skin's moisture barrier and cause dehydration. Using more gentle cleansers, like micellar water, will help to clean the skin whilst keeping it hydrated. The NIVEA Rose Care Micellar Water with Organic Rose Water and Oil provides a soothing formula, which tones, purifies and hydrates without a greasy feeling. 


5) Use hydrating skincare products
To ensure your skin is hydrated, it is essential to use products that contain hydrating ingredients. Ingredients, such as almond oil, provide moisture to the skin and help the skin's natural moisture barrier to retain it.

Try using the NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion for your body and NIVEA Soothing 24H Moisture Day Cream for your face. We also suggest moisturising whilst your skin is still damp, to ensure the moisture is locked in.


6) Face masks 
No, not the type you wear to the supermarket. Face masks are a great way to hydrate skin. Check out the NIVEA Q10 Power 10 Minute Face Sheet Mask for a quick blast of hydration to add to your daily skincare routine. Face masks are also effective when wearing overnight. Your skin repairs itself whilst you sleep, so wearing a face mask overnight is an effective way of replenishing your skin’s moisture. 

We suggest sleeping for 7-9 hours per night, to allow your skin the time to rehydrate. Combine this with Q10 Power Sleeping Melt-In Mask and your skin will be as hydrated as ever!
 

HOW TO HYDRATE SKIN

Hydration is the key for healthy and flawless looking skin. Understanding the causes and signs of dehydration is essential when learning how to rehydrate skin.  Explore our hydrating skincare products and advice on how to cure your dehydrated skin.