Dehydrated Skin

 

If you look in the mirror and a road map stares back you'd be forgiven for reaching for the nearest anti-ageing skin cream however, often these fine lines - let's call them A roads are a result not of a skin type i.e. dry but are in fact caused by dehydration and the good news is you can do something about it. To put simply our skin is made up with layers of water based cells - the top layer being protected by sebum (oil) and sweat and the amount of sebum we have determines our skin type i.e. dry/oily etc. Dehydrated skin is not a type but a condition caused by lack of water content, external elements such as hot weather, use of harsh products, diet and illness.

Symptoms can be tight, itchy and taut skin but there are a couple of simple tests you can do to determine whether you are dehydrated a) with your ring finger gently push up from your cheekbone towards the eye, if the effect resembles crepe paper this indicates water loss; b) take a pinch from the back of your wrist, if it doesn't ping back immediately then this also shows a lack of water (note the older you are the more likely you will suffer from elasticity loss); and c) have a peek down after you've used the toilet - if your urine is the colour of pale straw then great, anything darker then it's time to filling up your water bottle! Below are a few tips to help with hydration.

· Drink more water - this sounds obvious but many of us are guilty of forgetting to drink enough, even if you have to set an alarm every few hours to remind you to drink a glass it's worth it and especially if you exercise.

· Up your intake of water based fruit and vegetables such as melon and cucumber.

· If the heating is on place a bowl of water by your radiator to humidify the air.

· Working in an environment with air conditioning such as an office or aeroplane zaps moisture from the air - try using a home-made facial spritz with water and a few drops of lavender essential oil.

· Check your salt intake including labels on food as salt is often hidden in many items.

· Cut back on caffeine and alcohol - if you're drinking alcohol match each drink with a glass of water - hangover headaches are caused by dehydration.

· Use products for dehydrated skin complaints - most will contain hyaluronic acid which holds 1000 times its own weight in water, products should be water rather than oil based.

· Apply oils to your skin whilst your body is still damp from the shower to lock in moisture.

· Whilst tempting to have a hot shower in this weather, try and keep the temperature warm.

· Replace lost salts and sugars from sickness/diarrohea with Diarolyte or something similar.

· Lips may be flaky so avoid licking as this will make them worse just regularly apply Vaseline.

· Finally and a word of warning whilst the effects of dehydration can be treated, left to late and those fine A roads will start to resemble the M25 and then dear readers you're stuck!

I road-tested (pardon the pun) lots of products and these were my favourites.

Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi Phase £41 - this instantly sunk into my skin and made it feel supple and smooth. Non-greasy, the key ingredients of 2 different types of Hyaluronic Acid reach right into the inner layers of the skin and give continuous hydration, whilst Omega 3 Peanut Oil, Katafray Bark and Alfalfa hydrate, protect , replenish and give radiance.

Clarins HydraQuench Mask £33 is an intensive 10 minute treatment. I tested this after a recent flight and my thirsty skin drank in the product so quickly it sunk in within minutes and my skin was left feeling incredibly soft. I'm not alone in my love for this product Ann Daniels Polar Explorer regularly uses this when she braves the icy weather of the North Pole! Stockists available nationwide counters

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Cream Cleanser/Moisture Mask £22 -a cleanser for skin to help bring back elasticity to taut and tight skin - this cleanser can be used to gently and efficiently remove impurities. For an additional benefit it can be also used as a mask to increase moisture levels, simply leave on for a few minutes then tissue off - a time saving product so great to take on holiday. Stockists available nationwide counters.

Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil £16.90 is bliss in a bottle, whilst I try to bring new products to every feature I apologise now if this crops up more than a few times as quite simply its divine! My skin has been peeling so I've been slathering this over my body whilst it's still damp from the shower however, not only is it great on dry skin but due to a cocktail of relaxing essential oils it also aids a decent night sleep! The Skin Hydrating Mask £31.50 works by delivering time released hydration to give skin a constant moisture boost, the skin-saving formulation includes lycopene-rich Tomato Seed lipids which restores the skins barrier. Compliment this with an intensive serum - the Skin Hydrating Booster £51 instantly hydrates and gives parched skin a quenching drink of hyaluronic acid, fine lines are diminished and it leaves skin feeling smooth and supple - I've been using this for years and love it! Stockists call 0800 591818.

If you have any queries or wish to enquire about features please email askmollybeauty@gmail.comor follow me on Twitter @askmollybeauty/www.askmollybeauty.com