HYDRATION: Why and how to keep skin hydrated
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and is made up of over 35 billion cells. Each of these cells actually consist of 70% percent water, so on a scale of 1 to 10, hydration is definitely at a resounding 10 in importance when it comes to skin health!
What are the benefits of having hydrated skin?
Hydration slows ageing
Keeping your skin hydrated can actually result in younger looking skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
This is because if your skin cells are hydrated the functioning parts of the cells communicate and work together in a more efficient manner increasing their longevity.
Hydration is also key in creating the “water” barrier function that protects cells from damage, promotes cellular metabolism and the efficient transport of nutrients all needed to keep cells youthful and healthy.
Skin that is chronically lacking in hydration can become dry, cracked, tight and flaky, this will result in increased fine lines. Skin cells that are hydrated are plumper resulting in fewer wrinkles and healthy translucent skin.
Hydration tightens skin
Hydration also helps to increase and stabilize the moisture in your skin, allowing the natural moisturizing factors in your skin to do their job effectively without making your skin oily, yet dry. This will increase the skin’s elasticity resulting in tighter skin with increased bounce back.
Hydration reduces acne
Good skin hydration can improve cellular function. Drinking water can flush away toxins and reduce inflammation which is the key cause of acne. Topical hydration can plump your skin and shrink your pores, making them less likely to become clogged and blocked. The better the balance of oil and water in your skin, the less likely you are to have a breakout!
Hydration improves your complexion
Drinking water helps your digestive system flush out toxins from the body, it has a dramatic impact on gut health and the balancing of hormones which play a big part in skin health.
A study by the university of Missouri showed that after drinking just 2 cups of water there was increased blood flow to the skin. This means that vital nutrients are more efficiently delivered to the skin improving skin tone and complexion. It also helps to combat skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis.
Hydration promotes healing
Cellular hydration is key in the healing process of the skin. It facilitates cell communication, the transport of nutrients, and creates balance in the cell so that it can repair effectively.
Hydration can reduce swelling and puffiness, because it encourages the body to flush and replenish water. In fact, the body actually retains fluid in response to dehydration.
Keeping your skin hydrated reduces the likelihood of micro cracks occurring in your skin and helps support your lipid barrier function. Tiny fractures in the skin or an impairment of the barrier function can allow allergens, pollutants, and toxins to enter into the skin, resulting in inflamed, itchy and vulnerable skin. So drinking water and keeping your skin hydrated can reduce itchiness, inflammation and skin allergies.
Drinking water can also help balance your pH levels, and maintaining a healthy pH is the key to having calm, relaxed and blemish free skin.
How to increase dermal hydration
By now, most of you know that drinking water is crucial in keeping our skin hydrated, however when it comes to the health of our skin both an inside and outside approach is required.
Drinking the right amount of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses per day can hydrate your cells from within, flush toxins and create the perfect environment for healthy cells to thrive.
But beyond that, there are many topical ingredients that can improve cell function and communication and to promote topical hydration.
Chief among these is Hyaluronic Acid - one of the most potent skin hydrating ingredients available with the ability to absorb and hold water and moisture better than almost any other cosmeceutical ingredient (up to 1,000 times its weight in water!). When used in combination with other actives it can function as a transport molecule that can deliver nutrients into the skin.
Just make sure you apply Hyaluronic Acid on slightly damp skin so that it can absorb that moisture rather than draw moisture upward away from skin cells!
Pathenol (Vitamin B5) is also great for hydration as it’s a powerful humectant that helps to retain water, leaving skin soft and supple. Vitamin B5 is known to assist with superficial burns and wounds, has anti-inflammatory properties and it recommended after laser treatments to calm and soothe the skin.
Squalane is a non-comedogenic oil that also hydrates and restores a soft, supple texture to all skin types (including acne-prone) and prevents moisture loss with regular use. Just make sure you seek out products with Squalane made from olives or other plant sources rather than shark so that you’re not sacrificing your ethics for aesthetics.
Glycerin, a very common skincare ingredient, also acts as a natural humectant, helping to boost skin hydration by drawing moisture to the skin like a magnet so that skin regains its softness and dewiness.
Other hydration heroes that deserve an honourable mention are Lactic Acid, an alpha hydroxy acid and Cucumber extract which freshens, tightens and moisturises skin whilst soothing and calming skin. These incredible ingredients are a must in every skin care routine and we are proud to say that these ingredients feature heavily in our powerfully active cosmeceutical formulations.
Make sure you are using skincare that contains clinically proven ingredients like NeurophrolineTM and Niacinamide that actively reduce skin stress and cortisol production and therefore reduce the havoc inflammation can create on your skin. The Dermalist range has been developed specifically to do just that in order to holistically optimise your skin’s health and appearance, so if you’re looking for a good place to start our Radiance Essentials Kit containing our inflammation reducing cleanser, exfoliant and revolutionary AllSerum for just $79.
Boost your hydration levels with our Radiance Essentials Kit
Get visibly younger, smoother, more hydrated skin in just one skin cycle with our best-selling Radiance Essentials Kit, which includes our three hero products which have been symbiotically formulated to improve skin texture, boost hydration, promote youthfulness, dermal functionality and restore radiance whilst reducing the likelihood of a negative response or breakout.
