The Secret to Perfect Skin

The Importance Of Skin Hydration

Your skin acts as a barrier between your body and the environment that surrounds you. It also has a key role in regulating your body's temperature. However, if your skin is not adequately hydrated it's less able to perform its protective function.

The outer-most layer of your skin, your stratum corneum is often referred to as your "skin barrier". It has a bricks-and-mortar structure where your skin cells (the bricks) are held together by a glue-like mixture of lipids (the mortar). This creates a physical barrier that keeps water inside your skin and keeps irritants, bacteria, and environmental pollutants out.

A strong skin barrier is not only essential for overall skin health, it also has a big impact on the overall appearance of your skin.

What Happens When Your Skin Is Dehydrated?

If your skin is dehydrated, your skin cells shrink and your skin loses it's plumpness and elasticity. Your skin may look dull and flaky with accentuated lines and wrinkles which can leave you with a more aged appearance.

Dehydrated skin may also feel dry, itchy, and sensitive. If you're prone to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you'll usually find they're more severe when your skin is dehydrated. Your skin will also be less able to repair itself which can make you more susceptible to sun damage.

Adequate hydration helps to maintain your skin's elasticity and firmness which helps you look more youthful and radiant

How To Hydrate Your Skin

You can boost skin hydration both internally and externally.

Internally, drinking enough water during the day is the simplest way to hydrate your skin. It's usually recommended that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, although your exact recommended daily intake depends on factors like age, sex, and the weather.

Remember - you can log your daily water intake in the Caarisma tracker!

You can also boost your hydration internally by eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

Even if you're consuming enough water in your diet, you still need to hydrate your skin externally with moisturizing skincare products. These products typically contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides,

which draw moisture into your skin and lock it in.

It's also important to protect your skin from dehydration by avoiding harsh cleansers and limiting your exposure to extreme temperatures and drying environments.

The Different Types of Hydrating Skincare Products

Hydrating skincare products, like moisturizers, serums, and toners, usually fall into one of three categories:

Humectants - draw water into your skin cells (e.g. hyaluronic acid, glycerin)

Emollients - fill the gaps between your skin cells and strengthen your skin barrier (e.g. ceramides, shea butter)

Occlusives - create a layer on the surface of your skin to prevent water from escaping your skin

For the most effective skin hydration, it's a good idea to use all three types of moisturizer.

The Best Hydrating Skincare Routine

One of the best ways to get the most out of your hydrating skincare products is to use them in the following way:

Step I - Cleanse Your Skin

Step 2 - Apply a humectant-containing hydrating serum (e.g. hyaluronic acid) to your skin while it's still damp (damp skin absorbs your skincare products more effectively)

Step 3 - Apply a moisturizer containing emollient and occlusive ingredients to lock all that moisture in!

Make sure to apply sunscreen on top of your moisturizer every morning to make sure that your skin is adequately protected

If your skin is very dry and dehydrated, you can try applying an occlusive product, like vaseline, on top of your moisturizer in the evening. However, you should avoid this step if you have acne-prone skin.

Conclusion

Although it's often overlooked, moisturizing and hydrating your skin is a key part to any skincare routine to improve both the appearance and the health of your skin.