Does your skin appear dull, stiff or dry in summer? This may indicate dehydration. This may be due to rise in temperatures and hot winds during summer. Therefore, a good skin care regime is a must as it provides your skin with the hydration it wants. Apart from using creams, moisturisers, serums and lotions, you must provide hydration to your skin from within.
In this blog we will discuss the importance of skin hydration in summers, what tips one may follow to maintain the same, what are the active ingredients that provide hydration to your skin and much more.
What is Skin Hydration?
Skin hydration is to increase the water content of skin. In other words, hydration is to absorb moisture from the air and then infuse your skin cells with water. This makes your skin more smooth, healthy and radiant. During summers, the hydration escapes, thus, skin ends up flaky and dry.
All skin types are susceptible to dehydration. For instance, people with oily skin can still have dehydrated skin, as the water content gets lower and sebum levels increase. Thus, making oily skin more prone to acne and irritation. Therefore, skin hydration is essential to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Importance of skin hydration in summer
The humidity levels increase during summer that causes the oil production in your skin to accelerate. Here is why skin hydration in summers is important:
Seal the moisture levels
In the summer, the sun rays get more intense that removes the natural oils from your skin. When your skin is hydrated from within, it gets shielded from sun rays. You may use
hydrating skincare products to seal the moisture levels within your skin.
Protect your skin from chlorine
In the summer, individuals like to swim in pools. The water in the pool contains chlorine and other chemicals. Therefore, making your skin dry and flaky. Skin hydration will help in fighting the dryness, giving your skin a smooth and soft look.
Factors that affect skin hydration in summer
All skin types deal with dry skin problems in summer. Below are some of the factors that affect the hydration of your skin:
Heat Exposure
In summer, heat and UV rays from the sun are more intense than any other season. This affects your skin by damaging its barrier function and causing transepidermal water loss, which leads to dry skin in summer. Also, heat stimulates the production of sebum in your skin. This will open the pores and make it more oilier in summer.
Sweat
Sweating causes your skin to lose a lot of water, which eventually dries it out. If you don't drink enough water, it can get worse.
Air conditioning
ACs work by drawing out heat from inside the room and expelling it outside. Due to this, not only hot air is thrown out, but it also ends up in absorbing a fair amount of moisture from the skin. As a result, prolonged exposure to air conditioning will cause your skin to become tight, dry, and dehydrated.
Chlorinated water
People spend time in swimming pools to beat the heat of summer. The chlorinated water in the pool disturbs the pH balance of your skin. This leads to loss in hydration.
Tips for maintaining skin hydration in summer
Our skin layers frequently lose water outside. This is essential because our skin requires water flux to function normally. Also, in summers this water flux increases due to high temperatures, hot and humid air. Here are some tips by which you can prevent this loss of water and provide hydration to the skin:
Drink enough water
During the summer, you should drink extra water. You can quickly become dehydrated in the heat, so staying hydrated is important. Your skin rapidly begins to exhibit signs of dehydration like rashes, acne, and redness. Therefore, consume two litres of water every day.
Opt for mild face wash
Certain soaps and cleansers contain chemicals that dehydrate your skin by stripping off its natural moisture. Therefore, in summers it is advised to use fruit containing face washes that have moisturising properties and are mild in nature.
Use sunscreen
When we go outside in summer, our skin ends up looking greasy, oily and sweaty. The heat from the sun causes your skin to produce more sebum. Therefore, it is advised to use sunscreen to shield your skin from intense UV rays. Use matte and lightweight sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more. You may use Kosmoderma Photo Protect Sunscreen Gel with SPF 40 that is suitable for all skin types and is non-greasy and non-oily in nature.
Avoid hot shower
Hot water usually dries the skin more. It is better to take a cold shower in the summer to keep your skin cool. Also, it helps in keeping the body temperature low, thus preventing the skin from dryness, itchiness and dehydration.
Cover your skin
In combination with applying sunscreen, cover the parts of your face and body that are exposed to the sun. You may wear a hat, full sleeves clothes and sunglasses. Moreover, opt for loose and thick fabric clothes that block the rays of sun.
Diet
There are certain fruits and vegetables that help your skin to stay hydrated from within. For example: cucumbers are high in vitamin C that reduces the skin inflammation and nourishes your skin. Avocados are a good source and are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that keeps the skin moist. You may also eat dry fruits, seeds and nuts to prevent dry skin in summer.
Active ingredients that are best for skin hydration
For providing hydration to your skin, use the below mentioned active ingredients in your daily skin care regime:
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that ensures hydration to your skin all day long by keeping it smooth and supple. It traps water molecules beneath the skin cells and improves the skin’s barrier function. An ideal choice is to use
Kosmoderma Moisture Boost Cream. It has a high hyaluronic acid content and holds the skin's hydration to give it a supple appearance. Glycerin and ceramides reduce dryness by holding onto moisture. You may also use
Kosmoderma Hydra Boost Gel to provide hydration to your skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid has antioxidant properties that defend skin against UV rays of sun. It also aids in lightening skin, provides moisture and treats hyperpigmentation. An excellent choice is to use
Kosmoderma Photo Protect Sunscreen Gel with SPF 40 that protects the skin from sun rays and also provides hydration. Also, it is non-comedogenic, non-greasy and non-oily in nature. Another option is to use
Kosmoderma C-Brite Vitamin C serum in summers. It reduces oiliness and brightens the skin tone by boosting moisture levels.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that has excellent skin benefits. In summers, using
niacinamide skincare products aids in renewing and restoring the moisture loss. You may use
Kosmoderma Acne & Blemish Control Serum that controls acne and soothes the skin. It also helps in growing healthy skin cells.
Home remedies to hydrate your skin in summer
In combination with the skincare products, you may use some home remedies to hydrate your skin in summer. Some of them are:
- Take olive oil and massage your skin. Damp a towel in warm water and place it on your face. Remove the towel when it is no longer warm. Wipe off the excess oil. This makes your skin gentle without stripping the natural moisture.
- You may use cold milk on your skin as it is an excellent moisturiser due to the presence of lactic acid. It also aids in removal of tan and restores the skin’s natural barrier.
- Honey is moisturising and an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can be used to relieve your skin from dryness. It is a natural substance and can be applied directly on your skin.
- Aloe vera can be directly applied on your face and other body parts. It hydrates your skin and provides a smooth appearance to it.
Conclusion
In summers, skin becomes dry due to excessive heat and water loss. But if you follow the tips and use skin care products mentioned in the blog, you may make your skin moisturised and hydrated. Also, take some precautionary measures before going outside in the sun.
FAQs
What hydrates skin the fastest?
Drinking enough water makes your skin hydrate the fastest. Also, eat more antioxidant- rich foods and apply hydrating moisturiser from time to time.
Should I skip moisturiser in summer?
No, skipping a moisturiser in summer will make your skin dehydrated, dry and rough. You may use a lightweight and non-sticky moisturiser in summer to keep your skin moisturised throughout the day.
What naturally hydrates skin?
Drinking enough water, getting 8-9 hours of sleep and limiting your intake of alcohol will make your skin hydrated naturally.
