This one is the most obvious, but it's important to pay attention to how your skin feels. If you touch it and it's completely dry then your complexion is probably parched. Your skin should feel hydrated and not bone dry. If it's rough to the touch and without any moisture, it's probably in need of hydration.
A good moisturizer to me is one that makes your skin feel like it's hydrated, supple, and absorbed moisture but still has some on the surface that isn't sticky, dry, or too oily, but leave it soft and feels comfortable. It leaves a nice sheen on your skin. I hate lotions that make my skin feel weird and uncomfortable.
To tell if you're dehydrated, you can do the “pinch test.” Pinch a bit of skin on your arm between your thumb and forefinger. If you're well hydrated, it should go back to its original position a couple of seconds after you let go. If it doesn't, time to throw back some water.
Creams are best applied by patting them gently into the skin, notes Dr. Mack. Gel or water-based moisturizers should be applied in circular motions until they are completely absorbed.
Your skin will certainly tell you in subliminal ways, such as clogged pores or acne breakouts on your shoulders or other areas of your body, small bumps and more. It's easy to think that over moisturising is a good thing as 'it's just providing your skin with extra hydration' – however, this isn't true.
With dehydrated skin, you might notice that your skin has a tired-looking appearance, with darker shadows and under-eye circles. You may also observe signs of dehydration that come and go depending on activities, the season, lifestyle changes, or even a cosmetic or skincare product.
Producing lots of clear, dilute urine is a good indication that you're well-hydrated. During the activity, replenish fluids at regular intervals and continue drinking water or other fluids after you're finished.
In summary, hydrating is all about adding moisture back into your skin, while moisturising is all about giving it the nutrients it needs. To make sure your skin stays healthy, protected, and looking its best, you should do both. It's as simple as that!
Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea pull water from both the air and the deeper layers of skin into the stratum corneum to add moisture. Occlusives like beeswax, soybean oil, and lanolin form a barrier that prevents water from evaporating.
You can quickly check for dehydration at home. Pinch the skin over the back of the hand, on the abdomen, or over the front of the chest under the collarbone. This will show skin turgor. Mild dehydration will cause the skin to be slightly slow in its return to normal.
Drinking water does promote skin health because it helps you “retain normal blood volume and circulation,” Kibbi explained. But continuous water consumption won't impact the skin barrier's ability to seal in moisture.
Try this test: Gently pinch your skin between your fingers and then see if it takes longer than normal to return to its usual position. If so, your skin might be dehydrated.
Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.
Generally accepted advice about the use of moisturizers is to apply it twice daily––every morning and every night. It's the most commonly accepted practice because it ensures that the moisture content of your skin remains constant throughout the entire 24 hour period.
Your skin naturally loses some of its moisture overnight, which is why a strategic nighttime skincare routine, including a good face moisturizer, is essential. While you're asleep, there's a lot going on with your skin.
In contrast to rubbing in your skincare products, patting is supposedly more gentle and it helps skin care products penetrate the skin better.