Think about your skincare routine... Do you have a hydration focused serum? If you’re shaking your head, then you need to incorporate a hyaluronic acid pronto. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that naturally occurs in our skin and can hold 1000x its weight in water. Apply straight after cleansing on slightly damp skin in a humid environment if you can - this will help bring more water into the skin.

Your skin is the lowest organ on the priority list for water so to truly hydrate it from within, you need to drink a lot, even in winter. Make the prospect of drinking water more exciting by adding seasonal fruits such as berries, cucumber, herbs and citrus fruits. Our current favourite combination is strawberry and basil. 

Once you’ve got into the flow of hydrating your skin inside and out, you need to lock in that hydration. Diet wise, omega-3 fatty acids make up the cell membrane. A robust cell membrane will hold the water in and plumped cells mean plumped skin. Flaxseeds, oily fish and avocado are all great sources.

Moisturisers are non-negotiable when you’re using hyaluronic acid. The moisturiser will lock in all that hydration from escaping by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. Both of these will help to prevent trans-epidermal water loss - the process of losing water through the upper layers of the skin.

Environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution or pathogens all contribute to cell damage which in turn affects your skin's ability to hold water well. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, A, and E will fight this damage before it spreads, protecting your cells and maintaining hydration levels. An SPF will fight UV damage so don’t skip this step and reapply if you are planning to be out and about.

Don’t just rely on slathering moisturisers and serums to resolve dehydration. Regular skin maintenance is still key. Exfoliators will nibble away at those dry flaky skin cells that come part and parcel with dehydration, aiding the penetration of your precious hydrating products. Lactic acid is an exfoliator as well as being hydrating, so it’s a great ingredient to look out for.

Give your parched skin some treats. Carry around a hydrating mist to top up your hydration throughout the day. If you can feel your skin feeling tight or crepey, a quick spritz will help to rehydrate and soothe. 

Use hydrating masks to replenish the skin. Cream masks are a great option if you’re dry too, as they will work on barrier strengthening and repair. Ingredients like niacinamide (also referred to as vitamin B) will boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier too.
 

Massaging is a fantastic way to boost hydration levels - vigorous moves will stimulate circulation, increasing blood flow to the skin, packed with water, oxygen and other nutrients. Try to massage your skin 2-3 times a week if you can.