Suffering from dry skin can be irritating, embarrassing, and even painful. But you’re not alone — 81 million U.S. citizens said they experience dry or itchy skin, particularly in the winter, according to a 2007 National Health Interview Survey. While colder weather can dry out our skin, for others, this becomes a year-round problem.
Dry skin can have many causes, including weather, aging, skin conditions, and certain skincare products. While staying hydrated isn't a cure for dry skin, it supports your body's normal functions and may help support overall skin health. As simple as it sounds, drinking water throughout the day can be difficult to remember. We often get caught up in work or other daily activities before realizing, “When did I drink water last?”
Carrying a reusable water bottle with you is one great reminder to take sips throughout the day. During times of increased fluid loss—such as exercise, hot weather, or illness—DripDrop's electrolyte drink mix can help replace fluids and electrolytes as part of your overall hydration routine. Many people don't drink enough fluids throughout the day, especially during busy schedules, exercise, or hot weather.
If you're looking for ways to help manage dry skin, these habits may help support healthier-looking skin.
1. Take Shorter Shower with Warm Water
A steaming hot shower might feel amazing in the moment, but hot water can dry out your skin. If you suffer from dry skin on a regular basis, try using cooler water and keep your showers short. Though water may seem like a good way to hydrate skin, washing too often or for too long can strip your skin of its natural oils that keep it healthy and hydrated. While in the shower, use body wash that is gentle and fragrance-free to avoid irritating skin further.
2. Apply Moisturizer after Bathing
Applying moisturizer after a shower or bath is an essential step to dry skin treatment. However, make sure you’re seeking out high-quality products formulated for dry skin. There are three main types of moisturizers: humectants, occlusives, and emollients.
Humectants work by drawing water up to the skin’s surface from the dermis, a deeper layer of skin. This helps replace some of that lost moisture in the epidermis, or surface level of the skin. Products like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and lactic acid all act as humectants.
Occlusives, such as petroleum and beeswax, are great ingredients to trap moisture and prevent it from evaporating. Products with occlusives help reduce moisture loss by creating a protective barrier on the skin.
Emollients are another essential moisturizer that sometimes act as occlusives as well. Emollients can help smooth skin and retain humectants. Vitamin E, collagen, and shea butter are just a couple emollients you may want to work into your regular skincare routine.
3. Avoid Skincare Products with Alcohol
When figuring out how to get rid of dry skin, pay attention to the ingredients in your skincare products. Seek out products that utilize those three main types of moisturizers and avoid anything with alcohol ingredients. Some alcohol-based skincare ingredients may dry out or irritate the skin, especially if you already have dry or sensitive skin. These ingredients are harsh and can prevent your skin’s natural oils from doing their job — hydrating the skin.
4. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day
Hydration is one of many factors that can influence how your skin looks and feels. While drinking more water won't cure dry skin on its own, staying hydrated supports your body's normal functions and overall health. If you're looking to support healthy skin, staying hydrated is one part of a broader skincare routine that also includes moisturizing and protecting your skin barrier.
As simple as drinking water may seem, it can be difficult to remember to drink water as often as you should. Carry a reusable bottle with you throughout the day and even set reminders on your phone to help you stay sippin’ all day long. Make it part of your routine to drink a glass of water every morning before starting your day.
If you exercise regularly, keeping up with your hydration is even more essential as sweating can lead to dehydration. After exercise, it's important to replace the fluids—and, when needed, the electrolytes—you've lost through sweat. Adding DripDrop’s electrolyte drink mix to your water helps provide your body with the precise amount of electrolytes and glucose to help recover from dehydration.
5. Only Use Gentle, Fragrance-Free Products
Dry skin can become easily irritated, which is why you want to avoid products that may contain fragrances. Harsh chemicals (like alcohol) can also dry out skin quickly, so look for a gentle facial cleanser and fragrance-free moisturizers. Thicker creams and ointments typically help hydrate skin better than thinner, fragrant lotions.
6. Use Chemical Exfoliants
There are two ways to exfoliate skin: physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants don’t work well on dry skin as they utilize rougher particles that can damage skin and break down your skin’s natural barrier. Chemical exfoliants can help rid your skin of scaly, dry patches while encouraging new, healthy skin growth. Ingredients like lactic or glycolic acid are good, gentle exfoliants for dry skin.
Browse DripDrop's electrolyte drink mixes to support hydration year-round. While hydration is just one part of maintaining healthy skin, replacing fluids and electrolytes can help support your overall wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hydration and Dry Skin
Can drinking more water fix dry skin?
Drinking enough water supports your overall health and may help support healthy skin, but dry skin usually requires a combination of hydration, moisturizing, and gentle skincare.
Can Dehydration Cause Dry Skin?
Dehydration doesn't directly cause every case of dry skin, but it may contribute to skin that feels drier or less comfortable in some people. Dry skin is influenced by many factors, including weather, age, genetics, skincare habits, and certain skin conditions. Staying hydrated supports your overall health, while moisturizing and protecting your skin barrier are typically the most effective ways to care for dry skin.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin can result from cold weather, low humidity, aging, frequent bathing, harsh soaps, certain skin conditions, and other environmental or lifestyle factors.
Are electrolyte drinks good for dry skin?
Electrolyte drinks support hydration during periods of increased fluid loss, but they aren't a treatment for dry skin.
