Ah, that elusive healthy, glowing skin! How often have we caught a glimpse of someone with radiant skin and thought, “I wish my skin looked like that.” Well, the cat has long been out of the bag; the secret to it is simple – HYDRATION.
Read through as we guide you through some must-know tips and recommendations to help you achieve a healthier, brighter, and more hydrated skin.
Understanding the Importance of Skin Hydration
Skin hydration is essential for a radiant complexion and maintaining the natural barrier that protects against harsh elements from your surrounding environment. Proper skin hydration ensures that the skin remains supple, resilient, and less prone to the early appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Keeping your skin hydrated can also help prevent your skin from being susceptible to peeling, cracking, or inflammation.
How to Know if Your Skin is Hydrated?
When your skin barrier is compromised, its ability to maintain and retain moisture weakens as well. The common symptoms of a dehydrated skin are:
- itchiness
- dullness
- darker under-eye circles
- sunken eyes
- “shadows” around the face (especially under the eyes and around your nose)
- increased incidence or appearance of fine lines and surface wrinkles
You can try this simple pinch test at home to determine your skin’s hydration levels:
- Gently take a small portion of your skin around the cheek area between two fingers and give a light squeeze.
- Pay attention to how the skin responds. Does it display any wrinkling? Does it snap back into place once you let go?
- If your skin doesn’t show that immediate bounce-back and instead remains “tented” or takes a while to return to its original state, it could be a sign that it’s lacking hydration.
Tips to Hydrate Your Skin
Here are our eight tips to boost your hydration, improve your moisture skin barrier, and achieve that radiant look effortlessly.
- Drink, Drink, Drink.
“8 glasses of water a day” – this is an obvious one, but it’s always worth a reminder – an adequate daily intake of water is key to stay optimally hydrated. A study has shown that drinking enough water is as important as applying a topical moisturizer to the skin. Combining proper hydration with the use of topical moisturizer, then, becomes an excellent approach to maintain a healthy and well-hydrated skin. So, if you think that you could definitely improve your daily water intake, that’d be a sensible place to start! - Your Diet Matters.
Your skin reflects what’s going on inside. Besides water intake, another easy way to hydrate is by eating lots of water-dense food (fruit and vegetables) such as melons, pineapple, peaches, celery, cucumbers, and spinach. Having a diet with foods rich in water and antioxidants can help make your skin more supple and healthy.
For an extra boost, you can consider adding more foods containing hyaluronic acid to your diet too. - Use a Gentle Cleanser.
Harsh cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisturizing factors. This can lead to drying, cracking, or redness. If your skin feels dry, it is most likely that it is dehydrated.
Try switching your cleanser to something gentler that doesn’t contain chemical exfoliants. A milk cleanser can be an excellent alternative, as it is typically rich in natural hydrating factors and gentle on the skin. Not only do they remove impurities, but they also maintain the skin’s delicate moisture balance, leaving your complexion feeling soft and nourished.
Looking for a gentle yet effective cleanser to incorporate into your daily skincare routine? Check out Aestra’s Purifying Cleansing Gel on our website’s product page. - Always Use Sunscreen. Always!
One of the overlooked causes of dehydrated skin is sun exposure. The harmful UV rays not only increase the risk of skin cancers but also strip away essential moisture and damage the skin’s barrier. It has been emphasized that using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy days, helps in maintaining its natural moisture balance and preventing further dehydration. - Choose the Right Moisturizer.
A moisturizer isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Picking the right one is crucial for optimal skin hydration. One key ingredient that’s been on the lips of dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts alike is hyaluronic acid. This mighty molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it extremely useful for skin hydration. As it draws moisture to the skin and helps retain it, you’ll notice a visible plumpness and reduced fine lines.
According to a study by the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, hyaluronic acid plays a pivotal role in skin health, hydration, and wound healing. While it’s especially beneficial for dry and aging skin, its hydrating properties make it a favorite across all skin types.
Aestra’s Essential Nourishing Moisturizer is the ultimate solution for those seeking radiant skin. Infused with the moisture-locking power of hyaluronic acid and the barrier strengthening properties of ceramides, this moisturizer is designed to combat skin dryness and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. This ensures optimal moisture levels at all times, making it a go-to choice for anyone. - Skin Hydration Serum is a MUST.
Think of serums as a concentrated shot of hydration for your skin. They are formulated with smaller molecules, allowing them to delve deeper into the skin’s layers. Hydration serums, especially those containing hyaluronic acid, can offer almost immediate plumping and hydrating effects.
Our best recommendation for a Hydration Serum is Aestra’s Hydra Boost Serum, which contains THREE types of Hyaluronic Acids at different molecular weights, ensuring multi-level hydration. Enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5, it also aids in skin repair and regeneration. Incorporating this serum into your daily routine guarantees that your skin gets the deep hydration and nourishment it craves, from the surface down to the deep layers. - Avoid Hot Shower.
While the steamy embrace of a hot shower might seem like the perfect way to relax, it could be doing more harm than good for your skin. Hot water can strip the skin of its essential oils, leading to dryness. Prolonged exposure to hot water can also exacerbate skin dryness and irritation. Switching to lukewarm water can help retain those essential oils, keeping your skin soft and hydrated. - Try a Skin Rejuvenation Treatment.
When daily skincare routines don’t seem enough, it might be time to consider professional treatments. Hydrating facials, often enriched with powerful hydrators like hyaluronic acid, provide intense moisture. Treatments like these can also effectively combat the structural changes associated with aging skin, restoring its moisture balance.
Check out Aestra’s lineup of premium, safe, and effective facial treatments, using only cutting-edge technology and medical-grade products for immediate, lasting results.
Conclusion
Achieving that luminous glow is no magic trick. It’s about consistency, understanding what your skin needs, and providing it with ample hydration both internally and externally. Start with these tips, and you’ll be on your way to skin that not only looks hydrated but feels incredibly soft to the touch.
