As hot coffee and a warm blanket may feel cozy during winters, your skin may not be at ease with this season. Our skin becomes dry and flaky and It is important to hydrate dry skin, especially in winters. Because winter comes with a change in our daily routine, along with the change in your hygiene and self-care routine including skincare.

The human body is roughly 60% water while the skin is our biggest organ by far. Naturally, then, the links between dehydration and damaged skin are colossal.

In fact, even a 1-2% dehydration level can take its toll on the body with the skin being one of the first body parts to show it. Checking the skin’s elasticity, otherwise known as turgor, by pulling it and seeing how quickly it returns to its normal shape and position is the perfect way to test whether your skin is suffering from dehydration. If it doesn’t return immediately, there’s a strong chance that you are dehydrated. Dehydration and especially dehydrated skin should not be ignored. Here are eight great solutions that are shown to have a telling impact on the skin and your overall hydration levels

#1 – drink more water in the morning to fix dehydrated skin:

Rehydrating your skin is just one of several reasons to drink more water in the morning. The average person sleeps for 7-9 hours each night, which means you’ve not replenished your fluid levels for an extended period of time. Therefore, this is the moment when your body is most likely to be severely dehydrated. This is why you must focus on this aspect right away.

It is suggested that drinking a total of 16 oz of water [2] when you first wake up is the perfect way to bring your hydration levels back to the desired level, which will aid the skin as well as other parts of the body. Essentially, you need to treat your dehydrated skin from the inside out, and taking the right steps when you first wake up will form the strongest foundations.

#2 – Daily Moisturising

It is beneficial for your skin to regularly moisturize, from head to toe, after the shower. Depending on your skin type, there are various ways in which you can moisturize your skin. It is recommended to keep an oil-based moisturizer for your skincare regime during winters as it locks in the moisture and doesn’t let the skin deplete from its natural moisturizing resources.

Another way of moisturizing your skin daily is to massage your whole body with nourishing oil before going for the shower. It helps in two ways: body massage in winter that will regulate the blood circulation in the body and nourishment of the dry skin. It is a better way to hydrate dry skin.

#3 – Limit the hot and cold showers

It may be tempting to get into a hot shower when you have been working for a whole day in the cold weather but you may not realize that a hot shower may be doing more harm than good to your skin. Long hot showers strip away the natural oils of the skin leaving the skin dry and itchy. It is better to keep the hot shower short, a maximum of 15 minutes so that you get the time to relax and strip away that tension in the muscle without stripping away the natural hydration in your skin.

#4 –  Consider The Weather

When it’s windy, cold, or extremely hot outside, take extra precautions for your skin. This is especially true for the skin on your face, which is almost always exposed to the elements. Wear scarves in the winter and broad-brimmed hats in the summer.

#5 – Infuse moisturizer with a humidifier

Winters means that the air has less moisture, which makes the skin dry up really quickly. It is a good idea to invest in a good desk humidifier to keep the moisture intact in the air surrounding you, day and night. It is an easy way to hydrate dry skin and a way to enjoy the soft and supple skin every day.

#6 – avoid excessive alcohol & caffeine

It’s very easy to assume that all liquids are good for rehydrating your body from the inside. However, alcohol is scientifically shown to act as a diuretic, which will naturally leave you feeling more dehydrated due to the effects of urinating more frequently. In truth, anyone that has had a big drinking session without having glasses of water in between alcoholic beverages will relate to this.

Caffeine is another ingredient that, when consumed in large quantities, will have a negative impact on the body. Drinking in moderation should be fine, but it’s important to avoid the danger of sticking exclusively to caffeinated drinks. Be sure to have one water for every coffee or tea that you consume throughout the day, and your skin should see differences in no time.

#7 – Protect Your Face from The Sun

Always apply sunscreen to your face before taking off in the morning. Even if it isn’t hot or sunny outside, the sun’s powerful UV rays can still damage your skin. On days when the sun is shining bright, wear a hat and sunglasses.

#8 – Cleanse Your Skin Gently

When washing your face, don’t scrub too vigorously. You shouldn’t see a thick lather on your skin. Gently apply the cleanser to your face before carefully rinsing it away with lukewarm water. Also, use good quality facial cleansers. Many soaps are too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. To minimize dry skin, opt for a gentle facial cleanser with moisturizing properties. Look for cleansers with natural ingredients and oils.