Having hydrated skin is everyone's goal because no one wants to have dry, rough and flaky skin. However, it's easy to moisturize your skin, but keeping it hydrated throughout the day can be a challenge. You may leave the house with smooth and glowing skin, and experience dryness and itchiness in the day. Fortunately, you can employ a few strategies to keep your skin's water content in check. This article discusses eleven ways to keep your skin hydrated. Drink Plenty of Water Your skin depends on water to function at its best. However, your body usually loses significant amounts of water through normal processes. This can result in dry, tight skin because it won't be supplied with enough water. Therefore, it is advisable to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration. You can also replace the lost water by eating foods rich in moisture, such as fruits and vegetables. This includes melons, pineapple, lemons, oranges, cucumber, broccoli, celery, and spinach. Use Lukewarm Water You may be tempted to use hot water when washing your face because it can open pores to remove impurities. But this is only helpful when you are steaming your face, which should be done once a week. You should always use lukewarm water to wash your face. Using hot water daily can strip off oils, drying your skin. Also, it is best to avoid long hot showers. Use A Gentle Cleanser Harsh cleansers can make your skin drier by stripping off natural oils. Thus, you should use cleansers with mild ingredients. For instance, you can use micellar water in your morning routine, and in the evening you can remove your makeup with a gentle cleanser. Use A Serum Most serums in the market are formulated with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid. Therefore, you should consider using a serum to increase your skin's moisture content. A serum is usually applied before a moisturizer to deliver the ingredients directly into the skin. However, if you are experiencing purging, which is the conditioning in which your serum's acids increase skin cell turnover, causing breakouts, you can sandwich your serum. Using this technique, you will apply a small amount of moisturizer before the serum, followed by the moisturizer again. The serum's ingredients may take longer to absorb into your skin, but this solution can help you control purging effects. Apply Moisturizer On Damp Skin After cleansing your skin, avoid drying it completely. Patting it dry instead of rubbing it leaves skin damp and ready for moisturizing. Applying a moisturizer to damp skin helps to lock in the moisture between skin cells. Besides, hydrating products usually have humectants that attract water molecules to hydrate the skin. These substances work by pulling water from the dermis to the epidermis. Hence, when your skin is damp, your top layer will have enough water, which means the humectants won't have to drain the layers underneath. As a result, your skin will stay moisturized for hours. Use The Right Moisturizer Not every moisturizer in the market has the right amounts of hydrating ingredients. Examples of effective ingredients are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, fatty alcohols, squalene, panthenol, petrolatum, and urea. Some ingredients may have a bad reputation, but they are helpful. For instance, some people always avoid moisturizers with fatty alcohols because they associate them with harmful alcohols like ethanol. Contradictorily, fatty alcohols can prevent water loss, so you should choose moisturizers that contain them. Also, ensure that the moisturizer you use is suitable for your skin type. If you are not sure which moisturizer to buy, consult a professional. Avoid Irritants and Allergens Your skin can be exposed to irritants and allergens from detergents and other cleaning agents. These products contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives that can cause itchy rashes on your skin. Therefore, it will help if you use gentle laundry agents, if you come in contact with them, wash and moisturize your face immediately. Use Face Masks Face masks are infused with substantial amounts of hydrating ingredients. Thus, including them in your skin regimen can boost your skin's moisture content significantly, and in turn, keep you hydrated for a more extended period. You can use any type of facial hydrating mask, such as sheet, peel-off, bubble, or sleep masks. Spray A Facial Mist A facial mist can help you refresh your skin in the middle of the day without messing with your makeup. However, some people confuse it with thermal water. Thermal water is pure water with a higher mineral content to control skin dryness. On the other hand, a facial mist has humectants to attract and trap moisture in the skin. Face mists usually hydrate the skin instantly, making them one of the best products. Purchase A Humidifier If you don't have a humidifier, you should consider investing in one because it can benefit your skin. When your indoor air is dry, it will draw moisture from anywhere by osmosis, including your skin. This is the reason why most people suffer from dryness and irritation during the winter months. Fortunately, a humidifier can increase humidity levels in your indoor air, reducing the chances of your skin losing moisture. Visit A Dermatologist If you have applied the above strategies but your skin is still losing moisture considerably, it may be time to visit a dermatologist. Some of the warning signs that will notify you are extreme dry patches, itchiness, inflammation, or rashes. The dermatologist will use special measures to repair your skin's moisture barrier. You should get professional help early enough before the dryness causes significant damages. Hydrating your skin can offer you a wide array of benefits. It can help you maintain a youthful look, improve skin elasticity, balance oil levels, reduce the chances of breakouts, and enhance skin defenses. Nothing is as stressful as using all the necessary hydrating products only to end up with dry skin at the end of the day. The tips discussed above can keep your skin hydrated for a longer period.