During the winter, low air humidity and colder temperatures lead to a decrease in body perspiration. In addition, at this time, it is common to take hotter baths, which cause a decrease in natural oiliness, also decreasing the lipid mantle, which is what protects our skin against external aggressions.

With the routine tasks, it ends up being difficult to know how to keep the skin hydrated, isn't it? More than just a matter of aesthetics, having healthy skin also helps in the absorption of important nutrients for the body, such as vitamin D, for example. With that in mind, we've separated some practical tips on how to keep your skin hydrated. Thus, you can practice self-care and ensure smoothness and softness for the whole body. Check out!

Attitudes that promote hydrated and vibrant skin bring results that go beyond the much-desired youthful appearance. That's because, thanks to the adoption of some care, the whole organism benefits.

The skin works as a protective barrier against ultraviolet radiation, microorganisms and plays a key role in regulating body temperature. The barrier function of skin permeability can be affected by factors such as oil, hydration and pH. Maintaining this adequate barrier is important for its physiological and balanced functioning.

These factors make the skin drier, which predisposes to the appearance of itching, flaking and dermatitis. To avoid such symptoms, invest in moisturizing and repairing creams, with moisturizing and emollient actives, and give preference to products without fragrances. Follow our tips to keep your skin away from dryness.

Why is it important to keep the skin hydrated?

Adequate hydration prevents irritation, softens the dry aspect, improves texture and most importantly: protects the skin from external agents. These agents are present in the environment (pollution, hot or very cold water, dry climate, food factors), they can cause dryness, irritation and even infections in the skin, if it is not intact and maintained. Healthy, well-hydrated skin has an organized structure, maintains fluid balance and regulates body temperature.

Keeping the skin hydrated is important both from an aesthetic and biological point of view. In terms of aesthetics, hydration helps to:

• Prolong the freshness of youth, increasing freshness;
• Avoid swelling, resulting fromwater retention;
• Prevent wrinkles, sagging, stretch marks and cellulite;
• Treat atopic eczemas, by preserving the protective barrier (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis).

Regarding the physiological importance, the reasoning is simple: a hydrated skin is a consequence of an equally hydrated organism. This, in turn, is essential for the body to be able to eliminate toxins and absorb nutrients.

Is it necessary to exfoliate the skin before moisturizing?

Exfoliation can cause even greater physical aggression to the skin. I generally do not recommend exfoliating the skin regularly, with rare exceptions.

The use of loofahs should also be carried out with great caution, as they can often cause minor trauma to the skin. We have to be “kind” to our skin

How to properly moisturize the skin?

In addition to drinking plenty of water, there are complementary measures. Here are six ways to keep your skin hydrated:

• Clean with mild soap and cold water. Do not rub too much, to not encourage the production of oil, you can also use aFacial Cleanser to help you clean your face without damaging it.
• Apply a moisturizer, for your skin type, daily;
• Apply sunscreen every day;
• Very dry skin can use natural oils (almond, coconut, avocado, etc.) But be careful: pass only after the other cosmetics, so the oil does not prevent the entry of the actives;
• Spray thermal water upon waking up and before going to bed. The product restores balance to both dry and oily skin;
• Avoid long baths, especially very hot, which compromises the natural oil and leads to dryness.

How to optimize skin hydration?

Eating healthy foods is just as important as drinking water. Without adequate nutritional support, hydration is not efficient. Skin care begins with the cells, as the accumulation of toxins damages them. In addition to premature aging, this can lead to the onset of degenerative diseases.

In contrast, regular intake of water, as well as fruits and vegetables, leads to:

• Regulation of intestinal function, preventing colds and bloating;
• Ease in the slimming process, thanks to the feeling of satiety;
• Strengthening the immune system and preventing degenerative diseases.

To get the most out of food, eat fresh and raw vegetables, as they contain the most fiber, vitamins and minerals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum consumption of 400 grams of fruits and vegetables a day. In practice they are:

Three fruits a day, you can have two for snacks and one juice for lunch, for example;

Two or three varieties of vegetables (at lunch and dinner).

So, the difference between a peach complexion and one that looks more like a passion fruit is in the ideal hydration. But to achieve it, it takes more than drinking two liters of water a day—a rather generic convention, by the way. The most effective way to keep your skin hydrated is to undergo a dermatologist evaluation and follow individualized recommendations.

Drink water

Drinking an adequate amount of water is one of the steps on how to have hydrated skin. Drinking water helps not only in the health of the skin, but in the whole organism. It allows to eliminate toxins from the body, which leave the skin sagging and opaque.

Therefore, it is super important to drink at least two liters of water a day. This "internal" hydration also helps in the absorption of vitamins and in the renewal of the body's cells. To do this, create a routine, drinking six to eight glasses of water a day.

Tips to keep your lips hydrated and prevent dryness

Frequently use products rich in repairing and moisturizing actives, such as vitamin E, panthenol, shea butter and cocoa butter. Avoid contact of the lips with saliva, as it has an acidic pH and contributes to the dryness of the region. Do not tear the skin of the lips so as not to hurt or cause irritation in the region. Avoid foods that generate some type of local inflammation, such as acidic, spicy foods.”