5 Surprising Things Dehydration Does To Your Skin

So we’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, but when it’s hotter outside we should drink more, and when we exercise we should drink even more! It can be surprisingly tough to consume as much water as our bodies need, even if we keep a bottle by our desk all day. You can consume more water by munching on fruits and veggies with a high concentration of water, such as watermelon and cucumber. You can enjoy water more by adding slices of citrus fruit or mint leaves. Whatever it takes, keep drinking plenty of water because dehydration can cause serious issues for your skin that are hard to fix in a short period of time.

1. Dehydrated skin is different from dry skin, but they lead to similar outcomes. This is why many people assume their skin is dry when it’s actually dehydrated. Dry skin means there is a lack of oil, whereas dehydrated skin means there is a lack of moisture. This means no matter how much oil-based lotion you apply to your dehydrated skin, if you’re not consuming enough water internally, your skin has no way of replenishing moisture. This is why drinking water is vital to your natural beauty.
2. Dehydrated skin appears flaky, red, scaly and rough due to an imbalance of pH levels. Similar to dry skin, dehydrated skin keeps your face from holding a dewy glow. Acne, blemishes, and makeup lines will show up even more on dehydrated skin because there is no smooth surface to hold onto. Your legs will be more prone to cuts while shaving too.
3. When you skin is more scaly and rough from dehydration, it is also more likely to age prematurely. This is why you need to stay on top of your hydration year-round. Dehydration makes your skin weak and unable to hold a protective skin barrier, which leads to wrinkling and lines. Hydrated skin can more easily retain nutrients from essential oils, healthy food, and anti-aging creams.
4. Oddly enough, dehydrated skin can react in the same way your skin does after a sunburn. This typically happens after spending too much time in the air condition, which actually dehydrates your skin. Humid air contains moisture, which can help hydrate your skin. You will begin to feel a slight burning sensation, and similar to a sunburn, your skin will flake and feel itchy.
5. While not directly related to your natural beauty, dehydration causes you to crave more sugary and salty food. We know this junk food is incredibly bad for your skin for multiple reasons, ranging from wrinkling to acne to dry skin. Staying hydrated can help reduce these cravings, which ultimately leads to radiant, healthy skin.