Dehydrated Skin: What You Need To Know

This weeks blog post will be especially for pregnant and post partum women. Let me first congratulate you on your new bundle of human joy. Lots of emotions, joy, excitement and a tad bit of stress to go with your new human. One thing that maybe significant is your skins appearance lately. While normal, pregnancy can take a toll on a lot of things, your skin included. One of these issues is your skin becoming dehydrated.

Quick back story, I am a mom times four and went through four rough pregnancies! Two of these pregnancies were before 30 and two after 30. The latter two presented with more pysical changes. My hair fell out, my skin was dehydrated, my face broke out, melasma, weight gain, aches, you name it. After giving birth, most of these symptoms resolved except a bit of melasma and dehydrated skin. I feel like and peel the discolored spots.

Now, on to the real story LOL.

What is dehyrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is skin that does not have enough moisture. This can leave your skin feeling tight, itchy or flaky. Dehydrated skin can be caused by a number of factors:

• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy can cause a number of hormonal changes, which can lead to dehydrated skin.
• Stretching of the skin: As your baby grows, your skin stretches. This can damage the skin barrier.
• Diet: Too much sugar
• Lack of sleep: Having a new little one can be stressful causing lack of sleep. Getting enough sleep helps us to retain moisture. 

How to help your pregnant or post partum dehydrated skin

Here are a few ways you can improve your dry skin during pregnany, post partum or caused by other things.

• Gentle cleansing: Avoid harsh soaps that will further strip and dry out your skin of natural oils.
• Moisturize: Moisturize your skin often, morning and evening especially. A heavy, thick, hydrating, moisturizer like Body Butters are great. 
• Drink plenty of water: Hydrating from the inside out will hlp to rehydrate your skin.
• Use suncreeen: Sun can also dry out your skin, protect it with SPF 30 or higher everyday.
• Avoid hot water: This will also strip your skin of natural oils.
• Exfoliate: This will remocve dead skin cells faster. Use a gentle scrub like Our Jojoba Bead Face Scrub or our Moisturizing Body Scrub.

Dehydrated skin differs from dry skin in that the latter cannot be resolved with just getting more water in your body. You will need emollients and moisturizers. Don't ever be afraid to see your dermatologist. 

*none of this information is intended to treat or cure any condition*