One of the easiest ways to get your skin healthy and looking radiant is simply by keeping it hydrated. Well hydrated skin regardless of the skin type always look more youthful, supple and generally healthier.

IS YOUR SKIN DRY OR DEHYDRATED?

Although dry skin and dehydrated skin share similar symptoms and are oftentimes used synonymously, there is an underlying difference between the two.

Dry skin is a skin type, and dehydration is a skin condition.

Dry skin is classified as a ‘skin type’ and is inherited through genes. Dry skin has fewer oil-producing glands on the skin, so dry skin type is prone to inadequate production of the skin’s natural oils (Sebum). The lack of adequate sebum means the skin is low on the necessary lipids it needs to retain moisture and build a strong barrier to protect against external aggressors. While dry skin type cannot be changed, its appearance can be significantly improved by adding oil-infused products to your skin care routine.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition. It is caused by external elements such as weather changes, unhealthy diet, and lifestyle choices. All these factors deplete your skin’s water content, resulting in a less supple appearance.

In essence, dehydration is characterized by a lack of water (even oily skin types can become dehydrated), While Dry skin is inadequate sebum production on the skin. Thankfully, dehydrated skin is temporary and can be relieved with a combination of topical applications and lifestyle changes.

WHY YOUR SKIN NEEDS HYDRATION

Hydrating your skin just means increasing its water content. Hydration in simple terms is the process through which the skin draws water to itself or increases it water content.

When the skin lacks water, it can appear dull, tired, itchy, have dark patches and is more sensitive. Dehydrated skin also produces more oil because it is compensating for a lack of moisture. When dehydration is left untreated, it can degenerate to skin irritation, redness, wrinkles, and fine lines.  Dehydrated skin is also less resilient to environmental irritants.

Indices such as environmental irritants, low water consumption,  use of moisture-stripping products, and age are the major contributors to skin dehydration.

Continuous hydration is key to beautiful looking skin, this can be achieved by drinking enough water and using skin care products with natural humectants. These humectants allow the skin to improve its ability to hydrate itself over time. They penetrate through the skin to deliver the much-needed moisture. When your skin is well hydrated, beyond looking more plump, healthy, and youthful, it can fight and flush out toxins more effectively because your cells are getting the maximum amount of hydration that they need to function at their best.

Look to the following hydrating ingredients to achieve well moisturized gorgeous looking skin.

• GLYCERINE:

Glycerin is a well-known humectant in cosmetic products. It is a non-comedogenic, non-irritating hydrator and is great for all skin types. It can penetrate much deeper into the skin than hyaluronic acid, yet quite gentle on the skin. Glycerin’s hydrating properties work by attracting moisture from the environment onto the surface of the skin. It has high emollience and moisture content which prevents the skin from being dehydrated.

• CERAMIDES:

Ceramides are a great skin restoring ingredient, they are lipids that make up the skin to form the skin’s natural barrier. They repair our skin’s barrier, which helps to prevents water loss and retains moisture. Our body naturally produces ceramides, However, it’s availability on the top layer of the skin tends to reduce overtime due to aging, dryness and irritation. Therefore, products that contain ceramides help to replenish those lost lipids, keeping moisture in, and maintaining a healthier protective barrier and this, ultimately keeps the skin hydrated.

• LACTIC ACID:

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid used in skin care products and professional treatments. It’s naturally occurring in milk, though the lactic acid in today’s skin care products is synthetically produced. Lactic acid is used to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Interestingly, Lactic acid is also a humectant and effective in improving skin hydration.

• HYALURONIC ACID:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is highly effective in replenishing dehydrated ski犀利士n.  It is one of the most effective skin humectants, its moisture holding ability is quite phenomenon, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water! it helps to pull moisture and enhance the skin’s moisture-retention for long lasting hydration. It works as a magnet for moisture and helps cells to also retain as much moisture as possible. The result of this is hydrated, plump and healthy skin, with a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It is a wonderful humectant to add to any product.

• SQUALANE:

Squalane is the hydrogenated form of the naturally occurring squalene found in plants and animals. Apart from its anti-oxidizing and anti-aging properties, it is also a great humectant. When applied topically, it penetrates deeply locking in moisture and hydrating the skin. It also helps to ease dry patches and signs of aging.

• PANTHENOL:

Panthenol, also known as Vitamin B5, has excellent hydrating qualities. It functions as both a humectant attracting and holding water in the skin, as well as an emollient smoothing and softening the skin. It penetrates through the skin and imparts moisture into the cells. It also prevents trans-epidermal water loss which helps to improves skin barrier functions.

• DRINK YOUR WATER ALONG WITH A DIET RICH IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Technically not an ingredient per-say, taking enough fluids, fruits and vegetables are not only hydrating but are beneficial for  overall health. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are vital to maintain and improve your overall skin health. Water works to hydrate the skin in the deeper layers and repair it from within, preventing it from getting dehydrated.

Other ingredients to look to for hydration include Aloe vera, honey, alpha hydroxy acids, and marine extracts as well as synthetic humectants such as urea and propylene glycol. Finally, it helps to exfoliate regularly as dead skin build up can diminish the absorption of topical hydrators.

Which one of these ingredients would you be trying in your next formulation? Let us know in the comment section.