The key to maintaining soft, supple and glowing skin is hydration. Hydration can be mediated in several ways, but drinking sufficient water is the most crucial mode of replenishing moisture within your body and, consequently, your skin. If your skin is dehydrated, you will get signs in the form of flaky skin, itchiness, redness and the development of textured skin and fine lines over time.
Why is hydration needed?
When people are young, they do not pay much heed to the state of their skin. But as their age progresses and the signs of neglect start reflecting on their face, regret creeps in. It is thus important to care about your skin, especially keeping it hydrated. Hydrated skin directly translates to more plump, soft and radiant-looking skin. This occurs due to well-retained elasticity in the collagen of your skin that reduces the formation of wrinkles and dryness. Want to know another fun fact? Dehydrated skin is more prone to breakouts and irritation, as the skin lacks the moisture required to flush out the toxins that settle on your skin from the environment. Lack of hydration also leads to excessive oil secretion by your sebaceous glands to compensate for the dryness, leading to the blocking of pores and consequent acne. With all these reasons combined, it is undeniable how crucial it is for everyone to keep themselves hydrated.
How to ensure that you are hydrated?
The answer to this question is often found in skincare products, but first and foremost, it is essential to replenish your body with water from the inside and protect it from drying agents. Here are a few tips that you can follow to keep your skin hydrated naturally-
1. Hydrate yourself
Unless you bring change from the inside, no matter how many steps you include in your skincare routine, you won’t see results. That said, ensure you drink several glasses of water throughout the day. Especially in hotter and drier areas, the water intake should be adjusted to avoid losing most of it through perspiration.
2. Eat hydrating foods
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish oil are great sources of essential fatty acids and vitamins necessary to keep your skin healthy and nourished.
3. Shield yourself from the Sun
Apart from using sunscreen, resort to using caps, hats, sunglasses, or umbrellas to protect yourself from the direct light of the Sun. UV rays from the Sun are the leading cause of skin dryness and most skin-related issues. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, becomes thickened over time upon constant exposure to UV rays and leads to dehydrated skin. The skin loses moisture and essential oils upon prolonged sun exposure.
4. Take cool showers
Do not take hot showers too often. Try using normal-temperature water to wash your face. Hot water is known to strip your skin of the natural oils that it possesses and contribute to dryness. It also makes the skin susceptible to inflammation.
5. Natural remedies
Household ingredients such as honey, coconut oil and oatmeal are excellent for providing hydration. You could make homemade face masks using these ingredients once in a while, leaving your skin feeling moist and shiny!
If you are looking for products that will aid you in achieving hydrated and radiant skin, this compilation of products will come to your rescue.
1. Deconstruct Hydrating Serum- 2% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Niacinamide
This serum is excellent for hydrating your skin as it is composed of three different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid that penetrate deep into your skin. It hydrates all three layers of the skin, namely, the outer epidermis, the middle dermis, and the innermost subcutaneous layer. The incorporation of niacinamide offers a lightweight formulation and also soothes the skin. The best part? It is cruelty-free, paraben-free and also fragrance-free. The product volume is 30 ml, but it lasts users several months as only a minute amount can show promising results.
Works best for: All skin types
2. Coccoon Hydrating Night Serum with Kakadu Plum (Vitamin C), Shea Butter and Vitamins
The star ingredient of this product is Kakadu plum, which is the world’s richest source of vitamin C and is also rich in antioxidants. These properties allow this product to be used for repairing and restoring the skin texture. Another ingredient, shea butter, is a superb hydrating agent that allows the skin to retain moisture and leaves your skin feeling extremely soft and moist. Pentavitin™, also known as Saccharide Isomerate, is a plant extract that is formed by the isomerization of D-glucose obtained from plants. This magic ingredient possesses exceptional hydrating properties and aids in preventing skin irritation.
Works best for: This product is suitable for oily to normal skin. If you have dry skin, use this in combination with a night cream.
3. Aminu Earnest Hydrating Cream
This rich cream is packed with beneficial ingredients that will help your skin glow. Apart from hyaluronic acid, which is the main source of hydration in this cream, it contains vitamin B, which is responsible for promoting skin metabolism, acting as a protector against UV, and as an antioxidant. This cream's unique ingredient comprises the South Asian Cica, known for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. If you have lost your radiance due to constant exposure to the sun and the pollution of the urban world, this cream can undo that damage with continuous use.
Works best for: Dry, normal, combination and oily skin.
4. Dear, Klairs Daily Skin Hydrating Water
This hydrating toner undergoes rapid absorption into the skin and preps it for applying further products like serum and moisturiser. It primarily comprises Green Tea water (45%), which is rich in antioxidants and facilitates strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier, ensuring constant hydration. Additionally, Calendula and Coconut Palm extract water enhance this product's hydration properties. This should be used with the help of a cotton pad after properly washing your face with a cleanser, and it should be reapplied in areas of the skin where it tends to dry up. It is also a vegan and cruelty-free product, so be rest assured that you only use clean ingredients. The pH of the product is around 7, making it perfect for use on the face.
Works best for: All skin types
5. Light Up Drench Hydrating Jelly Mask
This gel face mask leaves your skin feeling hydrated and glowing and, moreover, feels incredibly comforting to use! It consists of cucumber, rose water, aloe vera and Spirulina, all of which harbour outstanding hydrating properties, thereby delivering a combined effect of all these ingredients to your skin. Spirulina is a source of fatty acids, vitamin B, and iron, making your skin look healthy and luminous. It also contains Chlorophyll which has significant anti-inflammatory properties, helping with breakouts. Ideally, this gel should be used 2-3 times weekly to show visible results.
Works best for: All skin types
What are the benefits of hydrated skin?
Hydrated skin ensures several aspects of your skin are well protected and warranted.
1. Reduced wrinkles
The formation of wrinkles is heavily reduced in the case of plump skin, as the skin cells are flattened out, and the deflated cells are rejuvenated.
2. Enhanced skin elasticity
Your skin can be prevented from looking saggy and stretchy if you keep it hydrated.
3. Better detox and fortified skin barrier
The moisture content of your skin is key in fighting and removing toxins. Hence, the more hydrated it is, the better chances you have against pollutants.
We hope this article establishes the importance of hydration for your skin and how it is an inevitable step in your skincare routine. If you wish to find the right way to get rid of dry skin and formulate a routine catering to hydration, read our article “Your ultimate guide for beating dry skin” here.
- Srishti Chakraborty
