Radiant skin equals hydrated skin! 7 tips on how to revitalize your skin.

What does almost every advertisement for skincare products have in common? The word "hydration". However, you may not quite understand why your skin needs it so much, what happens when you lack it, and how to fix it as quickly as possible. So, let's take a look at how to hydrate your skin properly.

Why skin loses hydration

First, a bit of theory. Our skin is made up of three layers – epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Each of these consists of further layers, and each has its specific functions. The outermost part of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, also known as the horny layer. It consists of cells connected by lipids and, along with other substances like ceramides or fatty acids, represents a protective layer of the skin.

Its role is to protect the skin from harmful external factors such as UV radiation or impurities from the environment while also retaining enough moisture in the skin. Disruption of the protective barrier leads to weakened skin, increased sensitivity, susceptibility to irritation, and also dryness.

How to tell if your skin lacks hydration

Hydrated skin is soft to the touch, elastic, and naturally glows. A lack of hydration, on the other hand, manifests itself as dryness, roughness, tightness, more visible lines and wrinkles, and the skin appears dull and matte. 

In terms of setting up the right skincare routine, it is important to distinguish whether you are dealing with dry or dehydrated skin.

Dry skin is one of the skin types and means you are born with it. In this case, you probably feel dryness in other parts of your body, such as your hands, legs, or scalp, and your skin quickly absorbs skincare products. This skin type lacks lipids and benefits from creams or oil-based products.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a current condition that can affect any skin type due to various factors. In this case, the skin is calling for water and will appreciate water-based products.

Hydration test: Not sure if your skin truly lacks hydration? Try a simple test. Pinch a small piece of skin between your cheekbones and the area under your eyes with your index finger and thumb. The quicker the skin returns to its place, the higher your hydration level is. 

Most common causes of skin dehydration

As we mentioned, various external factors are behind dehydrated skin, and many of them you can influence by adjusting your routine. These include:

• extreme temperatures
• too dry or humid environments
• excessive exfoliation of the skin
• aggressive or perfumed cosmetic products
• pollution
• excessive sun exposure

Tips for hydrating skin at home

Hydrated skin not only looks better, but you'll also feel better with it. Here are the best tips on how to replenish moisture and prevent further damage to the skin barrier.

1.   Gentle cleansing

Cleansing the skin is essential for its healthy appearance. However, if you use products containing too many aggressive ingredients, you may be stripping the skin of beneficial oils along with impurities and disrupting the skin barrier. Pay attention especially to fragrance and alcohol content. Dry skin usually does not respond well to cleansing foams, so it's better to opt for a milk or oil-based consistency for this type of product (e.g., cleansing milk Intensive Moisture Cleanser). 

2.   Hot water as an enemy

We know how enjoyable a hot shower is. However, this doesn't quite apply to skin, which gets dried out by high temperatures. So try to shorten your time under the falling water and reduce the temperature a bit.

3.   The right ingredients

We have already mentioned which ingredients to exclude from your regular care. But which ones do you want to see in product formulations? Hydration heroes include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, urea, squalane, and lactic acid.

4.   Application matters

There’s no need to make applying cream to your face a big science, but it’s worth focusing on one point. According to experts, it is most beneficial to apply moisturizing products on damp skin, for example, after a shower or bath, to ensure optimal absorption and lock in moisture.

5.   Use a serum

If you feel like you're doing everything right but your skin still isn't satisfied, it might be time to add another step to your routine – a serum or booster (e.g., Circular Hydration Serum). It is applied before the facial cream, and its advantage is that its composition targets specific skin issues (such as dryness) and, with a high concentration of active ingredients and the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin, can combat them very effectively.

Tip: Does your skin call for hydration even during the day? An SOS help for your bag is the facial mist Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist with four types of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol, which brings immediate refreshment, restores elasticity, and strengthens the skin barrier. 

6.   The slugging hack

What else helps with dry skin? Sometimes it’s the latest skincare trends, like slugging. What is it? The purpose of this technique is to lock moisture in the skin even better. After applying serum and facial cream during your evening routine, an additional layer (usually in the form of petroleum jelly or other occlusive ingredients) comes next, acting as a barrier on the skin to hold moisture exactly where we want it.

7.   Hydration from within

Our skin to some extent reflects what we eat. So, if you want to support hydration from within, include foods rich in essential fatty acids (e.g., fish and nuts) and vitamins A, C, D, and E in your diet. 

And finally, one more good piece of news: your efforts to boost hydration will show on your skin very quickly. So get started as soon as possible!