Healthy skin depends heavily on optimal moisture levels, so incorporating products targeted to hydration into your skincare regimen is crucial for its maintenance.
Begin by drinking plenty of water and eating foods rich in hydrating nutrients such as cucumbers, watermelons and leafy greens. Next look for serum or moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid humectants which hold 1,000 times their weight in water!
Water-Rich Foods
Drinking enough water is vital to overall good health and keeps skin looking youthful, yet many fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of hydrating nutrients that go beyond just drinking liquids. Cucumbers add refreshing flavors to salads or wraps; spinach adds vitamins; strawberries are sweet treats – try them all for optimal hydration! Also consider including kale or broccoli into summertime recipes; tomatoes contain vitamin C as well as antioxidant lycopene content!
Men should aim to drink 13 8-ounce glasses daily of water, while nine for women; you can increase this number if exercising. You can add flavor by infusing water with fruits or herbs like mint for additional hydration benefits.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most sought-after skin care ingredients available today, being an extremely potent humectant. Hyaluronic acid effectively moistens skin while increasing collagen production and visibly diminishing fine lines and wrinkles while strengthening natural barrier function of skin cells.
Hyaluronate is generally safe to use by most individuals, including those with sensitive skin. To be on the safe side, however, patch testing first is strongly advised in order to detect any allergic reactions.
Consider products containing hyaluronic acid as either their first or second ingredient, which usually also include water. Although it might seem counterintuitive, adding water makes the HA even more effective as more water means deeper skin penetration according to dermatologist Nazanin Saedi from Laser and Aesthetic Surgery Center in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. You will often see different molecular weights listed on serum and cream labels, which corresponds with how deep penetration will occur.
Lightweight Moisturizers
Lightweight moisturizers typically lack oil and feature lighter ingredients than heavier creams, making them suitable for daily use without oily build-up on skin. Their purpose is to hydrate skin, seal in serums and other skincare products into skin layers, prepare it for sunscreen application and makeup, as well as provide on-the-go moisture relief via spray bottles for instantaneous hydration.
This lightweight formula blends humectants (such as hyaluronic acid and squalane) with occlusive ingredients to deliver balanced hydration that won’t clog your pores. Furthermore, its gentle formulation includes anti-inflammatory ingredients like purslane extract and shea butter that soothe the skin for maximum relief.
Gold advises using a lightweight moisturizer in the morning after cleansing your face, placing it over serums but before sunscreen. When layering moisturizer, ensure it applies while skin is slightly damp; in cold weather use a humidifier as these steps will also help combat dry skin issues.
Humidifiers
Winter’s artificial heating and frigid air can take their toll on our skin’s moisture levels, leading to dry skin, lips, and hair that needs moisture replenishment. Humidifiers help combat dryness that occurs and keep everything hydrated!
Humidifiers also help your skin absorb skincare products more effectively, helping them penetrate more deeply for maximum effect. Humidifiers can be particularly helpful for normal to dry skin types as well as those suffering from rashes such as psoriasis or eczema as the extra hydration boost helps prevent flare-ups from happening.
For best results, place humidifiers in key rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your bedroom and living room. Running it throughout the night while sleeping will also help your skin retain hydration as it naturally loses moisture overnight.
