I have naturally oily skin, so I was amazed to hear my esthetician tell me my skin was dehydrated. How can that be? I drink 8 glasses of water a day and use various products, all promising to moisturize my skin.
This was before Restoracell and making a few life-style changes to battle dehydrated skin. However, it was a worthwhile fight as one of the most obvious signs of dehydration is a lack of elasticity in the skin, and the overall tone and complexion can appear uneven and fine lines become more noticeable. In other words, more wrinkles.
But Restoracell Skincare products are only part of the answer (more on those below). If your skin gets too dehydrated, your skin care routine, no matter the brand, can’t always keep up. Sometimes you might need to tackle the problem from multiple angles, and here are some suggestions.
And it seems that anyone can develop dehydrated skin, and according to the Mayo Clinic, the risk increases with age. So, if you are like me, you are daily becoming aware of new things to battle because of the blessing of aging. But, you are not alone; more than 50 percent of older adults have dehydrated skin.
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin
To clear up any confusion, dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin. While dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks natural oils (also called sebum). Also, dry skin is a skin type, while dehydration is considered a condition. This can be due to a damaged skin barrier, a lack of water in the diet, or extreme weather conditions (cold, arid climates, in particular, are associated with dehydration). According to esthetician Shamara Bondaroff, "A lot of the time, fine lines aren't due to premature aging – it's actually dehydration."
Quick test for dehydrated skin
How do you know if your skin is dehydrated? There is a simple pinch test. Take a small portion of your skin around the cheek area and squeeze lightly. If you notice any wrinkling and if the skin doesn't bounce back right away after you let go, that is a sign of dehydrated skin.
What to do if your skin is dehydrated?
There is a plethora of information on this subject, so I will simplify it and share what has worked.
1. Eat Water-rich foods
While drinking enough water (usually 4-8 glasses depending on activity level) is a must, other things can help. First, include water-dense, antioxidant-rich hydrating foods in your diet. These include water-rich veggies and fruits such as celery, watermelon, cucumber, and, to my great pleasure, sweet potatoes, which are about 77 percent water.
2. Reduce (I didn’t say Eliminate!) Caffeine and Alcohol
Because caffeine and alcohol are considered some of the worst offenders, I have reluctantly put down my cup of coffee (after 1-1/2 cups) and limited my wind-down wine to primarily weekends. Limiting coffee was tricky as it does have a positive effect on my energy level. But, it is also a diuretic, which increases dehydration in the body.
3. Take A Collagen Supplement
Taking a collagen supplement has been shown to support natural moisture levels in the skin. By keeping your collagen levels strong, you're helping keep your skin barrier function working optimally. Your skin barrier is actually what helps retain moisture in the body. My doctor and friend Suzanne Turner, who specializes in anti-aging and cellular medicine, recommends hydrolyzed collagen. I will share more about this in an upcoming blog. (I use two scoops of Collagen Hydrolysate from Great Lakes Gelatin Company daily.)
4. Not too many Hot Showers and Baths
This one was almost as hard for me as limiting coffee. As much as I needed several cups of black coffee to get the day started, I often used a glass of wine and a hot tub to decompress after the day was over. And, while the hot water was removing my stress, it was also zapping my skin's moisture. For improved hydration, It is recommended to limit showers or baths to 10 minutes and opt for lukewarm water.
4. Use the Right Skin Care Products
The number of products marketed to address dehydrated (or dry) skin is so numerous it can be overwhelming. As I stated earlier, I have a bag full of well-known expensive products that did not do the job for me.
Restoracell products can play a significant role in hydrating your skin along with restoring it at the cellular level.
In addition to an intense concentration of GHK-Cu (Copper Peptides), Restoracell's Stem Cell Awakening Serum contains Kelp (Macrocystis Pyrifera) Extract from a North American species of brown seaweed. Seaweed naturally absorbs its nourishment from the sea and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. In addition, seaweed naturally moisturizes and regulates the tone and texture of the skin. Restoracell's serum also contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that helps keeps tissues well lubricated and moist.
According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, hydration is best fed to the skin on the surface. "Moisturizers contain three types of ingredients that work together to help the skin. Occlusive, which form a protective seal over the skin; humectants which act as a sponge to pull in hydration to the outer skin layers; and emollients, which smooth the rough edges between cells in the outer layer." In other words, a proper moisturizer (or routine) will have all three components to bring in water and keep it locked in.
I am excited to highlight the fact that Restoracell Skin Awakening Moisturizer includes all three components. The Shea Butter and the Dimethicone work as an occlusive, forming a protective seal over the skin. The coconut oil is a humectant, acting like a sponge to pull in hydration to outer layers. Natural oils such as Almond Oil, Avacado Oil, and Kukui Nut oil act as emollients to smooth out the rough edges between cells in the outer layers.
Restoracell Eye and Lash GHK-Cu Advanced Cream is also a strong player in a hydrating skincare routine. It provides occlusive support from Elthylhexoyl Olivate (skin-conditioning fatty acids derived from olive oil) and Shea Butter. In addition, sweet Almond Oil acts as a humectant to retain water, and emollient support is given from Glyceryl Stearate. This fast penetrating emollient helps to create a protective barrier on the delicate skin around the eye.
As I have come to realize the causes of dehydrated skin, it is clear why I was impacted. I started the day with several cups of black coffee and ended the day with a glass of wine in a hot bath, all while not always using skincare as effective as Restoracell. However, with several lifestyle changes and using Restoracell twice daily, I am actually enjoying more hydrated skin that snaps back into place when I pinch. If you suspect dehydration is causing your skin to look dull and the skin tone is uneven, consider making some of these lifestyle changes and using Restoracell twice daily.