When you hear people say that water is essential to the body and health, believe them. It’s true. Our bodies are made of 60% water and your skin is 64% water. You need water and your skin definitely needs water. When skin is dehydrated it lacks enough water to stay moisturized and protected. To counteract this, the skin will create excess amounts of oil. This excess oil can cause breakouts and acne. So if you have oily skin or acne it might actually be that you are dehydrated.
Acne or breakouts, in general, are frustrating, annoying and very hard to deal with. It seems like a never-ending battle that you can’t win. There are many causes for acne but one of the main reasons is that your skin is actually dehydrated. If you are experiencing breakouts or excessive oil the first thing you should consider is how much water you are drinking each day.
In its natural state, the skin needs to be hydrated. Think of the skin as a grape. A plump, juicy grape that bounces slightly yet is firm. What happens to a grape when it is dehydrated and turned into a raisin? Yup, it’s dry, shriveled and looks, well, old.
The very same thing goes for your skin. If it isn’t hydrated it will lose that juicy plumpness and begin to show signs of wear and premature aging. However, unlike grapes, the body is designed to react during times of dehydration. It will produce an excess amount of oil (sebum) to protect the skin and keep it pliable. Since the skin is a living organ it needs to regulate itself to ensure proper function.
Symptoms of dehydration
- Dry patches of skin
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- Mood swings including irritability, anger or confusion
- Infrequent urination / Dark-colored urine
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy / Lethargic
Interestingly enough, dehydrated skin can feel both dry and oily at the same time. It might feel like you can’t seem to balance out the oil or the dryness no matter how much you wash or moisturize. This is because the core issue is internal and not external.
What is Sebum?
Sebum is the natural oil produced by your skin and is also produced on the scalp. The purpose of sebum is to lubricate and protect the skin and hair. It wards off free radicals to reduce oxidative stress and premature aging. Sebum also helps nourish the skin and keep it supple and elastic.
Sebum is good and you want your body to create it. The problem arises when the body tries to overcompensate and begins to OVER produce sebum. If you wash your face too much and never moisturize then your skin will OVER produce sebum. If you are not consistent with your skincare routine your skin will OVER produce sebum. Essentially your body says, if you don’t hydrate then I will.
Sebum only becomes a problem when your body is overproducing it. This will lead to blackheads, large pores, oily or combination skin, breakouts and yes, acne. Before you know it you’ll be in a never-ending loop of washing your face too much because it’s oily and your skin reacting to the over washing by producing more oil. It’s frustrating but fixable.
Instead of thinking that the only solution to your breakouts or acne is to wash your face more try investigating a little bit more. Okay, my face is oily, but why? The answer is probably dehydration. Even if you drink enough water every day your skin can still be lacking hydration. Below are the top causes of dehydration and how to fix them.
What causes dehydration and how to manage it
Lack of Water
The very best (and most obvious) way to ensure that your skin is hydrated is by consuming enough water every single day. This can sometimes be challenging especially if your life is scheduled to the max or if you aren’t much of a water lover in general.
-Use a refillable bottle to better track your intake.
–Make it more fun by taking a gulp of water every time the office jokester tells a corny joke or the gossipers try to hound you for the latest news.
-Incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet that are high in water. Some great ones are cucumbers, watermelon, blueberries, celery, grapefruit, lettuce, pineapple, and tomatoes.
-To keep it from getting boring add flavoring to your water by using lemon, blueberries, grapefruit, mint, cucumber or pineapple. Wash and slice the fruits, herbs or veggies of your choice and add them to your water. The flavor gets stronger the longer they sit so prepare a few ahead of time for convenience.
Excessive Washing
Practicing proper hygiene habits is vital for overall health and wellness. Not to mention you don’t really want to be known as the “smelly one”. However, some people take several showers a day, use harsh soaps and never rehydrate the skin afterward. This is also true for your face. Try washing your face once a day. You definitely want to wash it before going to bed but you probably don’t really need to do it again in the morning. If you think about it, all you did was go to sleep.
-Use sensitive or gentle face washes and always follow it up with an oil or moisturizer.
–Try washing your face once a day instead of several times. It will help balance your skin’s natural oils and prevent excess oil production.
Climate
Weather and climate can also play a role in how hydrated your skin is. Extreme cold or heat can break down the skin’s protective barrier leaving it vulnerable to the elements and deplete moisture levels. This is usually when you will find conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, or chapped lips begin to appear. You can’t control the weather but you can respond to it. During times of temperature changes react by giving your skin extra attention.
-Try to reduce skin exposure as much as possible by covering up when it’s time to go outside.
-Use thicker moisturizers such as shea or mango butter during cold weather.
–Moisturize your skin more often. If you usually only do this once a day then switch to 2 or 3 times. Keep a fast-absorbing moisturizer with you for a quick boost of hydration on the go. Oils such as squalane or rosehip are great options for all skin types including acne-prone.
Hormone Imbalance
Essentially hormones are tiny messengers that go around the body helping to coordinate various functions. Some of these include fertility, mood, growth, metabolism, immunity, and sexual function.
–Stress is one of the main factors in hormone imbalance so it’s important to learn coping techniques. Try meditation, yoga, exercise, dance or any other enjoyable activity that will allow you to decompress and reconnect with your inner self.
-Eat nourishing foods that are low in sugar and try to avoid processed foods.
-During puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause hormones become disrupted and are often out of balance. Since these are completely natural functions it’s best to learn how to support your body during these times. This includes eating higher amounts of protein and healthy fats. Also, be sure to limit sugary or processed foods. Lastly, exercise regularly and get adequate sleep to support balanced hormones.
Medical Conditions or Medication
Dehydration is sometimes caused by certain medications or medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney problems. If you think your dehydration may be caused by medications or a medical condition talk with a doctor.
