We wish the culprits behind poor skin hydration were as easy to catch. It's a sneaky combo or a direct result of less water intake, weather changes, sleep deprivation, and a bad diet. One thing skin scientists know for sure is that dehydrated skin causes sebum production. Sebum is a sticky, oily substance the body produces to keep the skin moisturized. Overproduction of it to balance moisture levels causes various chronic skin problems in men.
How to check if your skin is dehydrated at home?
Do a simple pinch test at home to know the hydration level of your skin. Squeeze any area around the cheek; if it doesn't bounce back after slightly pulling it, your skin may be dehydrated.
However, specific symptoms are so jarring to the naked eye that we often think it's everything else but skin dehydration. Let's deep dive and understand the 7 signs of poor skin hydration and some of the skincare products for men you should know to tackle this recurring problem.
1. Flakes
Whether you have oily or dry skin, flakes have no mercy on you. When skin cells are wiped from moisture, ugly white bits appear and leave your once-smooth face with a rough texture, almost like sandpaper.
How to best take care of it
● Avoid harsh chemical products that strip away moisture.
● Use moisturizing creams with mild ingredients that continually replenish your skin, especially in harsh weather conditions.
2. Dark Under-Eye Circles
Dark circles are a dead giveaway for not only lack of sleep but for dehydration. Lack of water and moisture causes the thin layer of skin under your eyes to look heavily sunken and discoloured.
How to treat it
● Sleep more and gulp at least 2 litres of water daily. We cannot stress this enough!
● Give a proper massage to the entire face with a gentle cream to increase proper circulation in your blood vessels and lighten the visibly dull area. This is a susceptible area prone to quick damage. We suggest you look for paraben and sulfate- free chemical moisturizers like this one - CODE Hydrating moisturizer.
3. Skin Cracks
When air humidity plummets, skin shows the first signs of cracking. Cracks are not confined to the skin and appear on lips and heels. Some grow into severe deeps and bleed out, leaving scars and residual pain for ages.
How to treat it
● Stay away from volcanic showers and opt for lukewarm ones instead.
● Use skin care products for men with ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. Use humidifiers at home if indoors feel as dry as a desert.
4. Wrinkly skin
Skin dehydration leads to showing signs of premature ageing. Less moisture means your skin is less elastic. Fine lines, wrinkles, or shrivelling start showing when bare minimum hydration is missing.
How to treat it
● Using the proper skincare with the best cleanser will help your skin be free of toxins.
● Apply hydrating moisturizers before sleeping to repair the damage caused by chronic dryness.
5. Skin infections
Dehydrated skin means the outer layer of your skin is broken. This is an easy passageway for germs and pollutants to block pores causing icky yellow crusts and acne.
How to treat it
● Use a face cleanser for acne skin care to eliminate germs and a moisturizer to hydrate the area.
● Also, check excessive sugar and salt consumption that takes away water from your body.
● Apply beard oil if you're sporting one, as the follicles need daily hydration.
6. Itchiness
The strange thing about itchy skin is that it can occur in a confined region without any noticeable bumps or blisters. Dry-skinned folks may think it's natural, while others may think it's bacterial. But the worst feeling is the constant need to scratch the area, imagine in meetings or on a romantic date.
How to treat it
● Use a hydrating body lotion.
● Wear loose clothing till the problem is taken care of.
● Check if the laundry liquid is too harsh for your skin.
7. Burning Sensation and Stings
If you feel like you have constant sunburns and sting-like sensations in areas such as arms, hands, face, stomach, or anywhere on or in the body. It's one sign of significant water loss. Certain regions are overly skin sensitive and lose water and moisture quickly, leaving skin often red and prickly.
How to treat it?
Apply one of the essential skin care products for men, such as moisturizers, leniently. Still, If the pain is unbearable, we recommend going to a dermatologist.
