If I could maintain one thing as I age, it would be radiant skin. We all know how good our skin looks after a beautifully hydrating facial, and we also know how our skin looks after a long flight, night of drinking, or too much sun- dull and dry. One thing I know for sure is that I’d like my wrinkles to at least be alongside a glowing complexion.
- The Skin-Deep Benefits of Hydration:
- Water is essential for life, and we all do our best to remember to drink it all day, but if we knew how much our skin needed water to maintain its natural moisture barrier, elasticity, and suppleness, we would likely drink more out of pure vanity in wanting to look our best over anything else.
- Staying hydrated promotes cellular turnover, collagen production, and skin renewal, which are essential for maintaining a youthful complexion and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I know we all have our favorite water bottle- whether you’re a Stanley, Yeti, Hydroflask, or many of the other water bottle types of girl, you need to keep that bottle by your side and drink it as much as you can during the day. If plain water is not your thing, you can stay hydrated with tea, or the many water tablets that are now sold to add flavor and other benefits to water. I was gifted a beautiful glass water bottle and packets of hydration tablets from waterdrop and this has quickly become my favorite brand, I love it so much!
Hydration Heroes: The Benefits of Hydrating Skincare Products:
- Many skincare ingredients focus on hydration. The most well-known ingredient that is having a moment is hyaluronic acid. These ingredients work by drawing moisture into the skin when applied, and do best when they are applied to damp skin, where they then retain moisture.
- My favorite hack is to buy a large bottle of my everyday cleanser that I use for everyday cleansing, Cetaphil. I then buy an inexpensive bottle of hyaluronic acid from Good Molecules or The Ordinary, and I put the bottle into my cleanser. This gives me the added ingredient right into my cleanser and then I don’t apply this directly into my skincare routine, since many products already contain hydrating ingredients. This ensures I get an extra boost of this into my skincare routine.
- Hydration Hacks for Youthful Skin:
- Use a humidifier in dry environments, I have two in my bedroom that are used from fall through spring, and if I forget to fill it, I wake up with dry and cracked lips, so I know how important it is to my skin!
- I know it’s easier said than done, but avoid a hot shower that would strip the skin of moisture. I love a hot shower, so this is not something I can give up, but if it’s not your must-have, keep the temperature as low as you can and finish with a shot of cold water as long as you can handle it for all the added benefits of cold therapy
- Apply hydrating mists throughout the day for an instant boost of hydration. I keep this on my desk and in my purse , and this Dermalogica one comes in a travel size which I love. It has such great ingredients for hydration and anti-aging and really not only gives my skin moisture in the middle of the day when it needs it, but also provides me a mental boost as well, which I love.
There are so many other things that can make a difference- this blog focuses on what we can ADD to our routine to bring moisture into our skin, and we will talk more about what to AVOID in a separate blog.
