If you've noticed that your skin has been increasingly sensitive or itchy, fine lines and wrinkles have become more prominent, or your complexion appears generally dull and lackluster, you're likely dealing with the effects of dehydrated skin.

Join us as we take a look at why hydration plays such an important role in the health of your skin, and discover how to get your glow back by making simple lifestyle changes and choosing the right skincare products.

Why hydration matters

Hydration is important not only to how your skin looks but also to how it feels. Properly hydrated skin can complete its innate function, which is to act as a natural barrier to external elements. When the structure of the skin is compromised, it's more vulnerable to cracking and breaking, which makes it less resilient to environmental stressors and irritants. This could lead to an overproduction of oils (to compensate for the lack of moisture), a dull complexion, more prominent under-eye circles and puffiness, and increased sensitivity, irritation, and inflammation.

Hydrated skin looks plump, soft, and smooth, giving you a natural glow and youthful appearance. It's also better able to maintain its elasticity, which keeps fine lines and wrinkles to a minimum. Hydrated skin is happy skin. It looks healthy and feels good.

How skin becomes dehydrated

Dehydrated skin is different from dry skin in that dehydrated skin lacks water, whereas dry skin is characterized by lower sebum (oil) production. Skin can become dehydrated by anything that draws water out from the skin. This includes:

• Extreme weather conditions
• Eating salty foods
• Drinking excessive caffeine and alcohol
• Neglecting your skincare routine by not cleansing and moisturizing daily
• Over exfoliating
• Aggressive facial cleansing products

How to hydrate your skin

When the outermost layer of the skin has the moisture it needs to flush away toxins and carry nutrients to the skin’s cells, your skin looks and feels its best. Let's take a look at some simple steps you can take to boost your skin's hydration levels.

Use moisturizer twice a day

In order to hydrate your skin, you need to add water to it. Moisturizer helps your skin seal the water inside the cell and repair your skin's natural barrier. This prevents water loss and improves your skin’s health.

Hydration goes beneath the skin's barrier. It infuses water into the cells to plump them up. Hydrating moisturizers contain three basic types of ingredients:

• Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol pull water from both the air and the deeper layers of skin into the outermost layer of the skin to add moisture.
• Occlusives like beeswax and cocoa butter form a barrier that prevents water from evaporating.
• Emollients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and cranberry seed oil soften and soothe the skin.

The newest generation of moisturizers, such as Staycation Hydrating Mask, which can be used as an overnight skin-quenching treatment, contains ceramides that repair the lipid barrier and prevent water loss.<product>1</product>

Check your skincare products

To hydrate your skin, you’ll want to make sure your skincare products are helping you rather than further dehydrating your skin. Avoid harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and products high in alcohol, as these can strip your skin of its natural barriers and dry it out. Instead, opt for water-based products like the gentle Drift Away™ Cleanser and Mist Connection Essence and Toner – a hydrating toner for dry skin that'll restore hydration to your skin while you wear it.<product>2,3</product>

Apply a skin-quenching face mask once a week

While moisturizer helps maintain hydration on a daily basis, you’re going to be looking for the best face mask to hydrate your skin and give it a real boost. Specially-formulated face masks are highly effective at delivering concentrated hydration and nourishment deep into the skin. They’re also an easy addition to your skincare regime as they require only 10 to 20 minutes once a week. Baggage Claim™ Eye Masks are one of our favorites for the under-eye area, which tends to really show the effects of dehydration.<product>4</product>

Learn more about the benefits of using face masks regularly.

Don't skip the sunscreen

Exposure to direct sunlight can dehydrate your skin, which makes it necessary to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, such as Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40. Daily use blocks out the harmful effects of UVB rays and prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which can cause visible signs of premature aging.<product>5</product>

Consume a hydrating diet

Your diet is undoubtedly the biggest factor when it comes to hydration, which means it could either be helping or hindering your efforts. When prioritizing hydration in your diet, consider the following:

• Drinking enough water – the general recommendation is eight glasses a day plus more, depending on your activity levels.
• Consuming plenty of foods rich in water and antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables. They increase your body’s overall water content as well as boost your vitamin and mineral intake, which helps balance hydration levels.
• Eating foods rich in Essential Fatty Acids, like salmon, olive oil, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, to improve the health of your skin and strengthen its natural barriers.
• Limiting dehydrating foods and beverages, including alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, and excessive sodium usually found in highly processed foods

Get more expert skincare tips from Wander Beauty

We like to keep things simple, effortless, and clean, which is why we’ve designed our range of effortless everyday essentials made up of products that work for your skin, not against it. Discover more when you shop Wander Beauty.