How to Rehydrate Skin Like a Pro

A few not-so-good decisions – from pulling an all-nighter to heavy drinking – can leave you with a headache, a cold, or... regrets. That is, in addition to dull and dehydrated skin. Looking for ways to revive your skin back to vitality? Read this guide for quick tips on how to rehydrate skin and bring back the glow that makes you feel confident and gwapo.

ICYDK, dehydrated skin isn’t the same as having dry skin. Dry skin is a skin type, while dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that can happen to any skin type. So, just because you have normal or oily skin doesn’t mean you’re safe from skin dehydration.

Dry skin doesn’t automatically mean you have dehydrated skin, either. Dry skin results from a lack of oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water. Below are some of the common causes of dehydrated skin:

• The weather: Cold and windy days can lead you to lose moisture on the outermost layer of your skin, leaving your skin dehydrated. Hot and humid weather can also lead your body to lose more water (through perspiration) and leave your skin patchy. 
• Too much sun: Spending hours under the sun, especially without SPF, damages your skin down to the cell level.  
• Alcohol and smoking: Alcohol is a diuretic that causes your body to lose water by peeing more, while smoking can dry out and inflame your skin.
• Late nights: A lack of Zs hinders your body’s repair process and can affect your skin barrier’s natural functions, such as keeping moisture locked into your skin.
• Not enough H2O: Obviously, not drinking enough water can make you dehydrated, and this shows in your skin, too.
• Hot showers: While hot baths are generally okay, prolonged exposure can strip off your skin’s natural oils and moisture layers.
• Salty foods: Too much salt in your diet means too much water will be drawn out of your skin cells, leaving them dehydrated.
• Your skin care: The products you’re using may be too harsh or not suited to the current climate conditions.

Dehydrated skin signals a lack of hydration on the inside and out. You’ll know your skin is dehydrated when it looks rough, flaky, and dull. Fine lines and undereye circles become more visible. Your skin can feel itchy, more sensitive than usual, and less elastic, too.

As mentioned, dehydrated skin is temporary, and there are ways to nurture your skin back to hydration. Here are some tips:

Sure, you’ve heard this one too many times before, but proper hydration really does your skin good. Adequate water intake supports the general functions of your body, promoting blood circulation and flushing away toxins.

While drinking water doesn’t mean you’re directly delivering hydration onto your skin, it’s essential to help strengthen your skin barrier and keep your skin soft, supple, and elastic.

You can “eat your water” by adding more water-rich foods, such as cucumbers and watermelons, to your diet. Load up on foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish, avocados, nuts, and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve the skin’s natural barrier and regulate the skin’s oil production to keep the skin quenched.

Stay away from soda and sweets in the meantime. Refined sugar, usually found in sweet food and drinks, can lead to hormonal imbalances and inflammation that can only worsen dehydrated skin.

It can be tempting, but neglecting your skincare routine will only make your skin look crummy. The key is to use gentle formulations that won’t irritate your dehydrated skin.

Dove Men+Care Body, Face & Hair Wash Clean Comfort can help make your tired-looking skin feel more refreshed. It’s infused with MICROMOISTURE technology and nutrients to help rebuild and strengthen your skin barrier, helping revive your skin from damage caused by late nights, too much alcohol, stress, and other factors. Prefer a bar format? Dove Men+Care Body+Face Bar Clean Comfort offers the same benefits.

The best way to hydrate skin through skincare is to strengthen your skin barrier, pile on the hydrating agents, and then seal in the benefits. After cleansing, add a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid. Then, choose a moisturizer with squalene to seal the deal.

Other ingredients to look out for? Ceramides and niacinamide are popular skin barrier reinforcers. Glycerin can penetrate deep into the skin and prevent irritation, while antioxidants and vitamin B also help with hydration.

Finally, take a break from actives like AHAs or retinol, which can mildly exfoliate or irritate dehydrated skin.

Sunscreen is an essential step every morning – yes, even if you’re just staying at home. Apply two fingers’ worth of SPF on your face and neck to avoid further dehydrating your skin from UV ray damage.

Sometimes, a stressful situation at work or a night bingeing on chips is inevitable – and that’s okay. You and your skin can bounce back. These tips on how to rehydrate skin can help get you to be at your best again – looking handsome and hydrated.