5 Warning Signs of Dehydrated Skin. Have you noticed patches of flaky and dry skin that just won’t go away? Or maybe there’s a recent dull texture to your complexion. These signs and other similar symptoms may mean that you have dehydrated skin.
People often confuse dry skin with dehydration, but the two conditions are actually very different. Dry skin means that your body doesn’t have enough natural oils in it and is therefore quite rough in texture when touched.
On the other hand, dehydration happens when there isn’t enough water in our bodies which often leads to having chapped lips (also called “lips thirst”), as well as tiredness, irritability and headaches.
The body uses water to flush out toxins through sweat during exercise or going about your everyday life, as well as urine to help process waste materials from the food we eat.
As the weather begins to change and the air becomes colder, keeping healthy starts to become an increasingly larger concern. The first thing we need to be aware of is hydration. It’s very important for us to stay properly hydrated because it can help with skin care issues.
There are many different indicators of whether or not you’re dehydrated by how your skin feels. Have a look at some of these warning signs – they may apply to you!
Itchy Skin
How do you know when your skin is dehydrated? Is it when it feels dry, flaky and uncomfortable to the touch? Or is it something else? What’s that tight feeling like after having been in a pool for too long?
There are many factors that could cause dehydration such as exposure to various elements (varying temperatures and humidity) at different points in time. In terms of weather conditions, temperature changes can cause your skin to become dry and crack over a period of time.
It’s important not to scratch this dry skin because doing so will make things worse, causing the skin to flake which is painful.
To manage this condition, try taking a moderately warm shower. You’ll want to avoid hot baths because they strip moisture from your skin.
Furthermore, make it a point to keep your body hydrated by drinking up to three litres of water each day. Now that winter is approaching, you might want to set up a humidifier in the comfort of your own home if you live in cold and dry conditions.
Dull Skin
A natural skincare regime can help you get rid of dull looking skin, but remember that it doesn’t last forever. If your complexion looks de-hydrated, this could be one of the signs.
Without enough good water intake, the dead cells will accumulate on your skin preventing new ones from flourishing on the surface.
Too much dead skin is another basic cause of acne. These cells can build up and clog your pores, causing breakouts and discomfort.
A gentle cleanser will remove the dead skin cells, but you should also think about other factors that make your face more vulnerable to breakouts.
For example, alcohol makes the body generate excess urine; it’s dehydrating! Stop drinking and adopt a more healthy diet high in salmon, eggs, or flax seeds.
Increased Skin Sensitivity
Every day, we’re exposed to many different types of harmful pollutants. These foreign materials can enter our body through the skin and result in irritation that manifests itself in many ways including rashes, dry patches, and redness.
Luckily, hydrating our cells helps to create a moisture barrier between ourselves and harm. The best way to protect from exposure is by staying hydrated!
The elements of summer like hot and dry air could result in sensitive skin. Minimize the use or external cooling and heating systems during extreme weather to avoid overheating.
Avoid harsh antiseptic soaps to treat rashes and skin redness as it could cause further irritation. Instead, use soothing products like hydrating sheet masks and night creams like this one that moisturizes to sooth your roughened winter-venerated skin.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Another sign of dehydrated skin is it wrinkle during a pinch test. Allow the flesh of healthy skin to bounce back after a gentle squeeze by using your fingers to gauge how the skin reacts.
If a pinch leaves any damage, that means you need to hydrate! Other signs of dehydrated skin include dryness, roughness and redness.
The best thing about hydrating your skin is that it gives you more youthful looking appearance.
While drinking water is helpful in keeping the skin hydrated, a proper diet can help you retain your body’s humidity.
To help protect and hydrate your skin, apply oil-based products to seal in moisture, as well as cream moisturizers to keep your skin from becoming dry.
Avoid caffeine products as much as possible, replacing them with fruits and vegetables to give your body more vitamins and nutrients for its natural defenses against dryness.
Health Problems
Beyond your skin, the other organs in your body can start to suffer due to dehydration. Whilst you might not notice the direct effect on your skin, looking out for other subtle symptoms is key.
For example, dark circles around your eyes, extreme thirst or passing darker urine are all signs of dehydration and can be compounded with other health problems too.
So if you notice that it’s happening consistently and occurs alongside a fever, dry mouth or swollen cheeks then it’s best to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Must Read: How to Open up Your Pores (Easy Methods)