The road to healthier skin and what’s water got to do with it.
Climate change has not only taken its toll on the environment but even our skin is under attack.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 85% of people within the age bracket of 12 and 30 suffer from acne.
Gone are the days, when just eating healthy would bring a sheer glow to your face.
With so many toxins in the atmosphere, the need for a proper skincare regime has significantly increased. Also, weather conditions have become harsh as compared to previous times.
Heavy rainfall, floods, droughts, etc. have contributed quite a lot to developing infections, inflammatory skin diseases and painful skin disorders. Healthy skin does not just make you look beautiful, but the purpose of good healthy skin is more than that.
Our skin is basically a layer that covers the human body and protects all other organs inside. In adults, skin accounts for 16 to 18 per cent of the total body weight.
How can you expect to feel healthy overall when the protective barrier is not in the best condition?
It is extremely unfortunate that skin conditions come with a package consisting of severe physical and psychological burden.
Decreased quality of life, poor self-image, low self-esteem and stress are common among young adults suffering from visible skin conditions.
From bullying by peers to receiving unsolicited pieces of advice, they have to bear it all.
If you wish to be on the road to healthy and glowing skin, then it’s time to educate yourself on the use of water.
Water is something we use daily. Not a single day goes by without water coming in contact with your skin. Yes, it is good for our overall health, but there are environmental factors that change the conditions of the water.
When it comes to skincare, water is divided into two categories – soft water and hard water.
Below we discuss how both can have an impact on our skin.
Soft Water
Soft water consists of lower levels of ions and minerals such as magnesium and calcium – these minerals are believed to be extremely favourable for the skin for many reasons.
Soft water removes all traces of soap from your skin. Generally, soft water washes away soap easily, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
It rules out the chances of eczema and other irritable skin conditions and can keep breakouts and acne at a distance.
The benefits of soft water do not just end here.
However, no need to worry if you don’t have easy access to soft water, because there are options out there to combat this, one being water softeners which are now easily available all across the globe, another is micellar water, one of my perfect finds after suffering from acne for most of my adult life this was a lifesaver and not too expensive either.
Hard Water
Hard water tends to do more harm than good to the skin because of its high mineral content as compared to the mineral content of soft water.
A number of stubborn skin issues arise in areas globally known to have hard water running through taps.
Hard water struggles to wash away soap properly due to which residue is left behind on the skin.
Such residue can be a cause of itchiness, pimples and allergic reactions on your face and skin. If your skin type is rather sensitive, then you must take extra care of it.
Often people complain of dry, patchy and itchy skin when they get out of the shower.
Little do they know that this could be one of the many effects of hard water.
This is the reason why one should get a water softener to protect his/her skin from the harsh effects of hard water.
Water not only impacts your skin but the rest of your body as well.
Like we discussed earlier, climate change and pollutants in the air have made matters worse for our overall health.
For this reason, it is important to treat your skin from time to time.
There are several methods to do so – exfoliation, applying masks, treating yourself to professional facials and so much more. However, not every skincare routine suits every skin type.
The key is to identify your skin type first and understand what suits it best.
To make your skincare routine easier for you, we have shared DIY masks that won’t break the bank for dry, oily and combination skin below:
Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Mask for Dry Skin
Itchiness, cracks and flakiness are major signs of dry skin. Managing dry skin can get really challenging as it requires to be moisturised at all times otherwise the dryness can worsen, leading to more skin related problems. For extremely dry skin, shea butter and coconut oil mask can do wonders. Along with being rich in vitamins, shea butter is also rich in antioxidant properties. Without any doubt, it is a great anti-ager, acne fighter and skin lightener. The mixture of shea butter and coconut oil can keep your skin well-moisturised, evens out the skin tone and keeps pores unclogged.
You can easily make this mask at home by mixing the main ingredients of shea butter and coconut oil together. You can also add aloe vera to the mix to reap its benefits too, but it is optional. Once you have all the ingredients in place, keep mixing them together until a smooth paste is formed. Apply the mixture on your face, leave it on for fifteen minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water. One of the many good things about this mask is that it is easily absorbed into the skin. However, do not apply it before going out in the sun. For best results, use it before your bedtime.
Rose Water, Glycerine and Lemon Mask for Oily Skin
Oily skin can be really demanding and difficult to manage because it is more prone to irritable skin conditions such as acne. A mask made of a mixture of rose water, glycerine and lemon can help in regenerating your skin cells and adds new life to your skin by keeping it dry and tight. Glycerine absorbs well in the skin and moisturises it without giving an oily effect which is absolutely great for oily skin. Rosewater is generally used as an anti-septic for irritable skin conditions. It is believed to be extremely effective for eczema and dermatitis. Lemon controls acne, dry lips and blackheads. The mixture of the three ingredients help maintain the pH level of the skin and helps to control skin conditions wonderfully.
All you need to do is mix equal portions of each ingredient into a paste and apply it on your face for about twenty minutes. Wash your face gently and you will notice a considerable difference. Apart from being used as a facial mask, this mixture can be used as a makeup setting spray and moisturiser as well.
Yoghurt Egg Mask for Combination Skin
Like oily and dry skin, managing combination skin is equally tricky.
This is primarily because it is both oily and dry at the same time.
People with such skin type have an oily T-zone, mild acne, enlarged pores and dull skin. The yoghurt egg face mask is really great for such skin type and can help in brightening the skin.
High levels of lactic acid in yoghurt prove to be extremely advantageous for the skin especially if you suffer from hyperpigmentation, ageing skin and an uneven skin tone.
On the other hand, eggs have high levels of protein and minerals which help in skin tightening.
Combine one tablespoon of yoghurt and one egg white, and mix it thoroughly.
Avoiding the eyes and mouth area, gently apply the mixture on your face for ten to fifteen minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water when the mask is completely dry.
Later use cool water to tighten the pores.
Although face masks are healthy for the skin, they do not work well if you fail to stay hydrated.
It is an age-old concept, but drinking water really has countless benefits attached to it which should not be overlooked.
Staying hydrated by drinking adequate glasses of water a day not only brings life to your skin but also improves your overall health.
Dehydration makes your skin dull, dry and flaky. Not only this, but you may also get to see pimples on your face.
No medicine, no remedy comes to the rescue when your body is not getting sufficient amounts of water.
Water helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body which improves blood circulation and transportation of nutrients.
More than that, it improves your kidney function which eventually helps in getting rid of toxins through urination.
This automatically impacts your skin in a positive way. Therefore, you should drink enough water throughout the day. All else is secondary.
However, if you should find your symptoms are persistent it’s best to seek professional advice from your doctor.
