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UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN
6 Ways to... Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Skin feeling a bit parched right now? We hear you. As we get our sweat on this week your skin might be feeling a little more on the lacklustre side.
Dehydrated skin occurs when our skin is losing more water than it needs to function and the signs include:
Want to bring your skin back to it’s plump, luscious best? Here are our top tips.
Make hydration a key part of your routine
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.
Increase your water intake
Your skin is the lowest organ on the priority list for water so to truly hydrate it from within, you need to drinka lot especially in hotter weather. 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.
Lock in the hydration
Once you’ve got into the flow of hydrating your skin inside and out, you need to lock in that hydration. 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. These 2 tips will help to prevent trans-epidermal water loss - the process of losing water through the upper layers of the skin. Cosmetics 27 Creme 27 is a lightweight moisturiser that’s perfect for hot and humid climes.
Protect your 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 forget to exfoliate
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. Elequra Intense Restore Mask is a winning combination of lactic acid and fruit enzymes.
Mist, Mask, Massage
Treat your parched skin to 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. Sheet masks supercharged with hydrating ingredients are a great way to bring hydration into the skin fast. Ingredients like niacinamide will boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier too.
Massaging is a fantastic way to boost hydration levels - vigorous moves will stimulate circulation, bringing blood to the skin which is packed with water and other nutrients. Try to massage your skin 2-3 times a week if you can.
